How to Stop a Cat from Scratching Furniture

Also known as stropping, scratching is a natural thing for cats, a method of exercise and keeping kitty claws trim, sharp and clean.  As such, many cat owners have had their share of home furniture items being marred with cat scratches, oftentimes the source of a number of cat-owner frustrations.

If you happen to be experiencing furniture scratches caused by cats, here are some well known tips and tricks to help keep your kitty’s claws away from prized antiques and family heirlooms.

Do well in keeping these in mind, and you’ll find your home’s furniture items free from your kitty’s claw marks.

First, understanding Scratching and Cats

Before we touch up on the different tips and tricks against cat scratches, it’s important to point out one fact about scratching and cats: it is impossible to stop cats from scratching.

As mentioned, scratching is a form of exercise for cats, as well as a method for keeping their claws trim, sharp and clean. It is also a way on which cats mark their territories, given that a cat’s body has glands all over, including its paws.

As such, it is impossible to 100% stop cats from scratching. The most a cat owner can do is direct cats to scratch on something specific inside the house.

What can be done

“Herding” or training your cat to scratch on a dedicated scratching post stands to be the best way in keeping home furniture items free from your kitty’s claws. Declawing is frowned upon by many, given that declawing is painful for cats and it limits their natural abilities. It also leads to other behavioral problems, such as urination and biting.

Most available for-cat scratching posts are made to be “appealing” for cats, but certain felines tend to pick couches and tables over scratching posts. What cat owners can do is steer them away from furniture items, enforcing them to use the scratching post.

Cat owners could use carpet or sisal covered scratching posts, fabric items which most cats find appealing. As fickle as cats are, a much more appealing scratching post readily magnets them to the item.

Cats who still insist on using furniture pieces as scratching posts can also be discouraged. You can find areas to put orange peels as deterrents, since most cats don’t agree well with citrus scents. You can also use a water spray, and sprit water on your cat should he/she begin approaching the furniture item.

Trimming your cat’s claws also helps reduce the damage scratching does on your furniture, but this regimen would involve regular and consistent practice. Punishing a cat when scratching furniture items may come as logical to you, but this practice doesn’t really work well. The water spray method is suffice to keep cats away from furniture, and with the “alternative” scratching post, your cat will readily identify it as the item for his/her daily scratching regimen.

Here’s hoping the tips above will come in handy, and do well in remembering that though it’ll take time, once your cat gets into the “scratching post habit”, your furniture is good as safe from kitty claws and claw marks.