What's a foolproof method to keep a new kitten from scratching furniture?

Question

I need a method that will keep the little rascal from even THINKING about putting a claw to the upholdstery. Declawing is not an option-too cruel. Thanks!

Answer 1

Get a good scratching post or pad and train your kitten to use it. If ever you see the kitten starting to scratch on furniture, immediately take it to the post and put its front paws on the post, making scratching motions with its paws. I started doing this when my cat was 9 weeks old, and in the last 17 years, she has never scratched on the furniture.

Answer 2

Your best bet is to just teach the cat not to. Fill a CLEAN spray bottle with sterile water, and everytime the kitten attempts to scratch your furniture, spray the cat. They don't like this. You could also try making a loud noise. They don't like this either. I have always found that clapping my hands loudly works. Not constantly, though. Two claps should be enough. If none of these things work, ther is a certain type of spray you can buy in your local pet store. It's usually called Stay Away! But this only works with discipline,; same as the spray bottle.

Answer 3

Outside of declawing, or removing the cat or removing the furniture I'd suggest making sure the kitten has plenty of places specifically for it to scratch that its okay to scratch on like scratching posts etc. You'll want to make sure and discipline the kitten so it knows its not okay to scratch at the furniture and put it on or near the scratching pad all the time so it learns to love it.

Answer 4

Well my neighbors put duck tape around the outside edge of the furniture so if the cats try to claw it they can't get through the tape. You can face it either way. If you face stickey face out, the cats get a little sticking to the pads of their feet or fur so they won't do it again because they don't like their fur being pulled. I figured this out when I was pet sitting them and I saw it in proccess. Then I saw it another time and the tape wasn't there and they didn't claw it.
Or you could put a blanket over the furniture.

Answer 5

A water pistol to punish when the kitten makes a mistake, and a scratching post that you can poitn him to after punishment. But if you have a cat with claws, your furniture will be shredded, anyway. Just be prepared. The only thing "training" will accomplish is that the beast will wait until you are not around to claw up the drapes and couch.

Answer 6

I agree with you, I would never declaw my cat. They have double-sided sticky stuff (removable) at the pet store(tho I used duble-sided tape). Put that on the places your kitten scratches most , and put alot of cat scratchers around the house. You can also clip their claws with regular nail clippers, but be careful not to cut too close to the bas (the pinkish part) because if you do, it wil bleed (and bleed and bleed... not that i have, the vet told me that)

Answer 7

Keep an eye on the little rascal for a while then every time it tries to claw the couch make a really really loud noise. but keep things quite when it doesn't try to claw the couch.

Answer 8

You can buy plastic claw covers at Pets Mart. they come in lots of colors (and clear). They don't restrict the extension and retraction of the claws, but they make it less enjoyable for the kitty to scratch. One box is like $8.99 and it has enough to do 4 sets of nails. Good luck

Answer 9

i have heard that cats hate citrus scents, so getting something lemon scented to spray on your furniture is an option. if you give your cat a cardboard scratching post, the kind they sell in the pet stores, your cat will most likely just scratch that. My cats leave the furniture alone now as long as they have a scratching post with lots of catnip on it.

Answer 10

good for you on not declawing!!! well make sure you keep nails trimmed although this can cause a cat to try and resharpen nails by stratching things. get a sisal rope wrapped stcratching post and rub it with cat nip. you can get these lucite corner plate type things that you put on the corners of your couch so kitty cant scratch, cant remember the name or where to get them. i wouldn't suggest putting plastic over your furniture as this tends to lead to peeing. my cats just love to pee on plastic.and who wants plastic covered furniture? you can get nails shields that i think a vet has to put on?
my cats are almost beyond help, but i have found a product called "ssscat spray" it is a can that emmits a noise and a hissing spray(air) that frightens cats away if they come within one meter of no no areas. i'm going to get several of these.(hope they work) you can get them from
www.drsfostersmith.com
you can also get sprays that are supposed to keep pets away from certain areas, but believe me i've tried several and they only seem to keep me away! they smell like burnt rubber! yuk!!!