If you’re home with a cat who will not stop scratching on your furnishings, you’re likely thinking of ways to stop, which is why we’ve put together this helpful guide to stop your cat from breaking your couch! Read on to find more.
There’s nothing more frustrating than buying an all-new sofa only to come home to discover that your cat has cut it up into ribbons or causing deep scratches on the freshly decorated door frame. Cats’ scratching at furniture can cause a lot of trouble, particularly if you’re proud of your home! It’s possible to think like your cat is trying to get into trouble, but it’s essential to recognize that scratching habits are deeply rooted in the human brain and can bring many advantages to their health and well-being.
Read on to discover ways to keep cat claws from scratching the furniture and why they tend to focus on your favorite areas.
WHY DO CATS SCRATCH FURNITURE?
Cats scratch to loosen and eliminate the outer portion of their claw (called the husk) leaving the sharp edge beneath.
Scratching can also strengthen the muscles of your cat’s front legs and spine, which helps keep them in shape. The surfaces they scratch on are typically rigid so that they don’t shift in any way when the cat pulls on them while scratching.
Cats may begin to scratch their heads vigorously on the carpet while playing and can even use scratching to attract their owners’ attention.
Suppose your cat scratches frequently, and you are an entire household of cats, reside in a cat-friendly space, or have recently undergone building work (or other similar events taking place around your home that could cause anxiety for your cat). In that case, It could be a sign of anxiety.
Why Does My Cat Scratch So Much?
Before you train the cat not to scratch on your furniture, it is essential to be aware of why they scratch. Cats scratch at surfaces to:
Stretch your body. The cat must stretch their muscles. Scratching allows them to perform regular exercises.
Delimit territories Cats have scent glands that are located between the claws. When they scratch, the glands release odors, allowing them to define their territory’s boundaries.
Maintain healthy claws by rubbing them. Scratching your cat helps eliminate the old layers on the claws’ tips. The claws remain clean and sharp.
To alleviate stress: Scratching helps cats to relax and helps them avoid developing undesirable habits like urinating in a hurry.
Do All Cats Scratch Furniture?
Scratching is an innate part that cats exhibit. In the wild, the cats scratch at their claws to get rid of the dead skin layer (think of it as an animal manicure). This helps keep their claws razor-sharp for hunting. Scratching also helps them mark their area of territory. They have small glands in their claws. The scratch marks themselves indicate to other animals that this space is in use. Scratching and stretching can help them maintain their bodies in shape.
The cat you love dearly is just a cat. But, it’s not so fun for them to leave their contact information on your carpets, drapes, or furniture. Here are some tried and tested methods to stop a cat away from the furniture.
The Few Days Stop Scratching Boot Camp Plan
The great news is that you can convince your cat to quit scratching at your sofa just in time for Aunt Gertrude’s visit. Follow these simple steps to keep your new sofa from the same fate as the old one.
Day 1: Choose your preferred location, then purchase various cat scratching posts as well as some cat toys with interactive features. This is an essential part of the procedure. It is crucial to pick the appropriate post, as giving your cat a scratching surface she isn’t fond of will not be effective. You should select the proper sturdy, tall post and cover it with material; cats are prone to scratching. Find out more about selecting the best cat scratching post by reading this post: “How to Choose the Best Cat Scratching Post.”
Day 2: Put cats’ scratching spots strategically around your home. Pick places where your cat has already chosen to spend time for a while, like close to windows or in the family room alongside you. Cats also like to scratch and stretch when they wake up from a catnap. Therefore, the placement of a post near the place where they sleep is a great idea. Cats scratch to mark their territory; therefore, do not put the post in a corner you don’t use. Please put it in the middle so that it can be displayed. Putting the post on the sofa area where your cat is scratching is also crucial. When you observe your cat playing with these new posts, offer her gentle awe and treat her as If she is a fan.
Day 3 Create a couch that is an unattractive spot to scratch. You can achieve this by applying any or all of these methods:
Place a sheet of cloth around the scratched-up area of the couch so your cat won’t be able to climb under it and scratch the couch.
Apply double-sided tape or aluminum foil to cover the couch.
Spray the couch with a citrus spray since cats naturally dislike the smell of citrus.
How To Keep Your Cat From Scratching Your Home Furniture
The “Yes” Technique
A safe and appropriate place where your kitten can release the scratching urge is essential for long-term behavioral success. We suggest not just a scratching area but many according to the number of areas your cat likes to scratch on. For example, if he scratches on both sides of the couch, there’s a place you’ll want your posts in the beginning.
Cat Furniture: Cat Condos, Scratchers, & Trees
The cat “condos” or “trees” can be beneficial in various ways. One of them is providing a joint mark-making post for families with multiple cats. Before spending a significant amount of money buying or making a post, ensure that you’re catering to your cat’s specific preferences. There are affordable horizontal scratchers made from cardboard that are ideal for carpet-lovers, wedge-shaped ramps for cats that scratch at furniture with a low angle, and upright posts are also known as “trees” for cats who love that full-body, hang-from-the-claws-feel. The material the post is constructed of is also crucial. Some cats love the feeling of a sisal rope wound post, and naturally-grown wood can be attractive because it resembles the kind of thing they’d want to scratch — trees! A redwood, a cedar (softwood) plank, or even a log could be an immense delight. Beware furniture with carpet as it can be challenging to train the cat to scratch “this” carpet is okay, and “that” carpet isn’t.
How do you teach your pet to scratch post?
One of the most effective methods to stop your cat from scratching furniture is to guide them to the scratching area. The idea is simple, you think? But not always, particularly when your cat has never used scratchers before or uses a brand new one and is very selective.
Make sure to keep your cat away from scratching areas by placing treats inside the area around their scratching post. Try spraying cat nips on the scratching posts for more incentive if you notice that your cat is scratching on the wrong spot; make the sound (like an sound like a clap) and then direct them towards their scratching pole. If you repeat the process in the same manner as time goes by, your cat will realize that they can be rewarded for their efforts.
