2006-09-09 07:49:02 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
Get a leather sofa girl!
2006-09-09 07:55:24 · answer #1 · answered by ♥*_*♥ 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have found that the "Sticky Paws" strips you can buy at a pet store work really well. You get a lot of strips in a $10 package.
Cats usually like to scratch and mark the first end of the furniture they encounter when they enter a room. So you don't have to cover everything. When you've got the cat trained to use the post the strips can be removed from the furniture.
Not all cats respond to catnip. If your cat does that it a great training tool. Don't neglect the use of praise when you catch the cat using his post, "Aren't you the darlingest kitty in the world!" "I love you so much, you always do the right thing", "You are the most splendid cat in the world" Really lay it on with a trowel. Cats will respond to this praise just as a human would.
2006-09-09 14:57:17 · answer #2 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
My cat was unimpressed with scratching posts too.
What worked for me, as I have neither catnip available, nor a squirt bottle, was:
1. Cover the corner of the sofa he scratches with something he doesn't like to scratch. Sticky Paws or Aluminum foil or double-sided tape are some ideas.
2. Put the scratching post before (or, if horizontal, on top of) the area that was covered.
3. Attach a favourite toy to dangle from the top of scratching post (or as far as he reaches) and dangle it for him, to encourage him to play with it (pluck it down).
4. After he has taken down the toy (= stretched along the post), I scratch the post a bit myself. Cats are very fond of immitating, so my kitty did it like the second time I tried.
5. Whenever you notice the kitty using the scratching post, encourage him, so that s/he connects it to feeling praized and happy.
The sofa is now left alone.
I also clip my kitty's nals, as I sometimes play with him with close-by toys (like a small toy mouse that I dangle and make him chase around the floor) and he may sometimes plant a claw in my hand instead of the mouse - never on purpose, but I prefer avoiding the pain anyways.
Also, SoftPaws may be an option, if kitty still resists scratching posts - small vinyl caps that are glued to clipped claws. They need to be replaced every 6 weeks or so (when claw falls down), but they keep the paws blunt and do not require amputation.
Btw, for some facts about declawing (which is so-often suggested, but honesty cruel, as it has about 50% chance to go wrong), check this out:
http://maxshouse.com/facts_about_declawing.htm Look at the pics of HOW it can go wrong. And think if you'd like this to happen to your cat.
I don't.
2006-09-10 15:11:00 · answer #3 · answered by AlphaOne_ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Move the scratch post near the places where kitty likes to scratch and take his paws and scratch the post with them and give him praise. Also the spray bottle idea will work too as long as you dont spray kitty when he is near the post if the post is near the couch. And if you do catch him scratching the couch just pick him up and scratch the post with his paws and then give him praise. He will get the idea sooner than later and if all of this still does not work you could try claw caps (little rubber/plastic caps that you glue onto kitty's claws they usually come with thier own non toxic glue and they come in fun colors) or getting kitty declawed.
2006-09-09 22:14:19 · answer #4 · answered by amtheperfectdrug 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My male cat hated the scratching post I bought for him. But he (and his new girlfriend:) both LOVE the cardboard scratching boards. So try putting some of those around.
Whenever you catch your cat scratching the couch (or anything else he's not supposed to), spray him with water. It's not harmful, and he'll catch on quick.
Or do as Old Cat Lady suggested and get the sticky strips for your furniture.
Old But Wise has a good suggestion, as well. That's what I did with my male. Any time he tried scratching on my furniture, I clapped my hands once and let out a resounding "NO!" He quit clawing things he wasn't supposed to.
2006-09-09 15:51:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It can take a while but use a spray bottle with water. When the cat begins to scratch the couch spray it with the bottle of water. When he scratches the post praise him and give him a treat. He will get the idea after a while.
2006-09-09 14:57:05 · answer #6 · answered by rhutson 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try to put the scratch post near the sofa. Then, spray the scratch post with catnip spray!! Hopefully your kitty likes it!
2006-09-09 14:55:06 · answer #7 · answered by Marmot 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Declawing a cat is cruel. Put cat nip on the post and spray some perfume on the sofa.
2006-09-09 14:53:28 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Cats hate perfume. Spray a bit on anywhere you don't want you cat to scratch.
2006-09-09 14:57:25 · answer #9 · answered by chicK 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
buy some eucalyptus oil and put a few drops wherever you don't want him to scratch. He will leave it alone. (have 12 cats and no scratched furniture)
2006-09-10 08:10:17 · answer #10 · answered by fenlandfowl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋