How to Keep Your Cat from Scratching the Furniture

Cat owners know that one of the major challenges of owning a cat is trying to stop them from scratching your furniture.

They don’t scratch to disturb you; they scratch to sharpen their claws, clean their outer sheath nails, and also to mark their territorial. Although you can’t stop your cat from scratching but you can do a lot to prevent from scratching your furniture.

There are several methods you can take to discourage cat scratching furniture behavior, such as soft claws, Catclaw clipping, furniture guards, scat mats and many more, all of these can be used to stop Cat scratching behavior.

Now, let’s take a look at some of these methods individually and how you can use any of the methods to protect your furniture.

Cat Claw Clipping

This is to always ensure that your cat’s claws are clipped short. It requires regular care on the part of the cat owner, trimming your cat’s nails is another way to minimize the damage caused by cat scratching.

You can clip the sharp tip of your cat’s claws once a week and be careful not to cut the pink part of the nail, if cut, this will cause bleeding and can be very painful for your Feline pal.

You can use a nail clipper designed specifically for cats, and not for dogs or humans. If you don’t know how to trim your cat’s nails safely, consult your veterinarian for a demonstration.

Cat Scratching Post

This provides your cat an outlet for its scratching instincts, and at the same time saves your furniture from your cat claws. When buying a scratching post, choose the one similar to the one your cat likes to scratch.

Most kittens prefer scratch posts made from rough material that they can shred. Scratch posts are great because they are good to scratch and are rough enough to use regularly.

You can try different types of scratching posts, such as those made from cedar, hemp, rope or cardboard, to know the one your cat likes.

Soft Claws

These are small plastic nail caps that you can attach to your cat’s claws. It will cover your cat’s nails, just like a tiny glove.

It may be difficult for you to put it on your cat claws, which is why a lot of people have their veterinarian put them on. Soft claws are helpful when trimming your feline’s nails didn’t help or when scratching post didn’t work as well.

Furniture guards

Furniture guard is another method that you can use to protect your expensive furniture and stop the damage, relax your mind and maintain a loving relationship with your Feline pals.

Furniture Guards are of high-quality, very flexible and pliable to use. It protects your furniture from the cat’s claws and scratches without spraying dangerous chemicals.

Cat Scratching Deterrent

If you cannot prevent your cat from scratching your furniture, you can try spaying it with a scent that your cats don’t like. This will help change this behavior. Spray it on the furniture every day and gradually move the scratching post to a more convenient location.

When your cat seems to have forgotten the furniture and willingly uses the scratching post for close to a month. You can then reduce how often you spray the repellent until you stop using it permanently.

The following are a few examples of some cat scratching deterrents that you can use.

• Double Stick Tape: Cats don’t like something that sticks on their feet. You can paste rows of double sticks tape on your furniture and other stuff that your cat likes to scratch. The feeling of the tape is enough to prevent cat scratching. You should stop using the tape as soon as your feline pal learned her lesson.
  
  
• Aluminum Foil: This makes noise and cats don’t like the sound, also some cellophane and plastics will work. Wrap some part of your furniture with one of these to discourage your cat from scratching your furniture.
  
  
• Citrus Scents: Spraying citrus scent on the stuff that you don’t want your cat to scratch can prevent your cat from scratching your furniture. Cats hate the smell of citrus. You can also make your homemade scent solution by using oils such as lavender, citronella, lemongrass, orange and peppermint oils, these tend to discourage cats when they sniff them and are safe.

Scat Mats

These are electronic devices that produce a loud noise when an animal approaches it. It works well if you want your cat to stay away from the furniture. It safely shows your cat the forbidden areas in your home.

You can use this mat to keep your cat away from your furniture and any area you don’t want him to. The scat mat electronics releases pulses that look like common static electricity. Touching both wires on the mat surface will complete a circuit, and let the cat felt the pulses.

These harmless and unexpected pulses will repel most cats and condition them to keep away from the position of the mat.

In conclusion, there are several ways to keep your feline pal away from scratching furniture. But if all else fails, consult your veterinarian to find ways you can change this annoying behavior. Remember that scratching is an important part of your cat’s life. If you can direct your cat scratching instinct into a fun and safe activity, you will both get along and build a better bond with each other.