Comments on: How to keep cats from scratching furniture?

By: Sydney

Sydney — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 14:51:03 +0000

Use “Softclaws”, which are vinyl caps you glue onto the cat’s nails. It is humane and practical.

check out:

thecatandkittenstore.com

By: HEARTCROSS

HEARTCROSS — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 10:32:46 +0000

KEEP A SPRAY BOTTLE HANDY!

By: AlphaOne_

AlphaOne_ — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:49:53 +0000

WELL Done! for not considering declawing! There are better ways.

I would say, as the cats are already using the scrating post(s), or so I gather, you need to make sure they don’t use the sofa anymore - and for those, I think covering the offensive corners (usually the corner that is closest to the door) with aluminum foil, or double-sided tape, or another cover that will be unpleasant to the cat for scratching, but will not ruin the sofa. The idea is to make sure they feel the unpleasant part whether or not you’re home.

I covered my sofa’s corner with a plain rectangle of cloth (like a small tablecloth); not that I am particularly fond of the sofa (it’s old, and I will heartily advise my landlord to replace it when I move out - it’s hardly fit for use!), but I think it’s a principle my cat should learn. I can remove the cloth easily whenever I have guests, if I think it necessary. He doesn’t find the scratching there unpleasant… but he doesn’t find it interesting either. Now, with the second (and taller) scratching post I got him, he leaves the sofa altogether alone.

The recent addition of a carpet in the bedroom is the next challenge…

By: Lifeisahighway29

Lifeisahighway29 — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 07:27:37 +0000

theres some spray you can buy at petco that has sour apple taste that cates hate…i use it on furniture and my cat wont scratch it…i feel declawing cats isnt too great because of they got loose they couldnt really protect themselves…hopefully this was of some assistance

By: lovemypups3

lovemypups3 — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 15:42:35 +0000

what i did with my cats that worked was i put alluminum foil on the areas where they usually tried to scratch (like down the front corners of the sofa) and then put their scratching post close by (they have 2 scratching posts). They left the sofa alone because they didn’t like the way the foil feels and would just scratch their post. Now I don’t even have to put foil on the sofa anymore and they still leave it alone. I have 2 cats and both of them learned what they are allowed to claw and what is off limits. I also keep their nails trimmed.

By: Brittany

Brittany — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 10:09:33 +0000

well my cat does the same thing and i got her a scratching post and it works.

By: Ginger/Virginia

Ginger/Virginia — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 06:29:05 +0000

Try this product called Soft Claws (or something similar). Amazon.com has them.
Years ago I had my cat’s claws removed, but was regretful when I saw how drastic it was. She returned from the vet with obviously painful paws. Afterwards she forgave me, but I never forgave myself for putting her through that experience.
I read in the Orlando Sentinel about a family using these with their cat. They are recommended only for indoor cats and last about six weeks. The family said, that their cat “doesn’t seem to mind them at all. He can still scratch, but the damage has stopped.”
If you don’t want your furniture destroyed by chronic clawing and don’t want to give away your cat, this looks like a win-win for the person and the animal sharing a home.

By: T H

T H — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 22:57:28 +0000

contact paper or double sided masking on vertical places.cats hate sticky on their feet.on a flat surface,set 4 mouse traps very gently in the area being scratched.now even more gently cover them with a sheet if newspaper or tissue paper taking care not to spring the traps.when kitty comes a scratching,1 paw touches the paper an it attacks her!kitty will never scratch there again.(They are covered and spring way to fast to catch kitties feetbut will scare her from the area and divert her scratching mood.This works great for getting on ncounters,in trash,and lying on furnature.good luck

By: old cat lady

old cat lady — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:43:05 +0000

I have used Sticky Paws strips and found that effective. I have had plastic end pieces that I got from a Harriet Carter catalog. Both worked for me.

I also have several inexpensive cotton quilts that I have on my couches, the one I use the most and where the cats like to be with me. I just drape it over the ends of the couch. If it doesn’t exactly match your decor it’s easy to put away when company comes. It also picks up dust and dirt on my cats, cat hair, etc. and is easy to throw in the washer every once in a while. I have several and have had them for ten years. They don’t seem to wear out.

By: Min

Min — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 18:10:59 +0000

oh don’t you hate that when they scratch RIGHT in front of you.. worse than a 2 year old!

I’ve tried the sprays.. they only turn their noses away for a few hours then their back! And my cats got so use to me spraying they became immune to the smell.

All I can say is consistency.. just gotta keep hissing at them .. until they get use to your jumping at them that they scare off.. I hiss at my girl cat.. she seems to be the only that still does it..