How can I get my cat to stop scratching my sofa?

Question

I bought him two scratching poles. One he can chill in. Its a carpeted kitty condo. He lays on that and looks out the window.

Another one is just a pole with carpet on it. He will not use it. I've tried putting treats on it, and cat nip but nothing.

Ohh yeah another question...
how can I make him sleep in his cat bed?

Answer 1

Buy "soft claws" for cats- the best product out there!

Answer 2

My wife and I have 4 cats and none of them are declawed - it's too inhumane! It just takes training to get your cat to stop scratching at your furniture. The younger they are when you start their training the better. We brought our cats in from the garage when they were 5 months old kittens.

We had an older cat, which we had its claws removed because we didn't know better and it was always very sensative about it's paws.

I did some searching on the internet and found a very good website that has a lot of information. If you like feel free to email me.

By the way, my cats usually have more fun with the box or packaging that their toy comes in than the toy itself. The only exception is catnip, they just go crazy over that stuff! I don't know why, but my cats always seem to be trying to fit themselves into boxes that are way too small for them. It's funnier than hell to watch! One day I will have to video tape it and put it on the web.

Answer 3

cats scratch to mark their territory, sharpen their claws and stretch their muscles. Here's how to help your cat curb the urge (or at least redirect it away from the sofa).

Steps
Provide scratching posts and place them in locations where your cat likes to linger - by a sunny window, for instance.
Experiment with different types of posts to find the best ones for your cat.
Keep in mind that different cats like different surface textures (cardboard, wood or rugs) and post orientations (horizontal or vertical).
Encourage kittens to use posts, and reward them with food and praise.
Consider giving your cat extra attention when he stirs from a nap, and then placing him near the scratching post, since many cats scratch when waking up.
Avoid punishing your cat if she scratches an inappropriate area - punishment teaches the cat to not scratch in your presence, but it won't deter a cat from scratching when you're not around.
Avoid letting your cat scratch an old couch, even if you plan to get rid of it soon - this will only encourage your cat to scratch the new couch.
Consult your veterinarian about alternative treatment options before you give up. Destructive behavior is a leading reason why people surrender their cats to animal shelters

Answer 4

Invest in a product called "sticky paws," or put a little masking tape, sticky side up, where your cat likes to scratch.

Then, find some fabric that is similar to the fabric on your couch, and wrap one of the scratching poles in it.

Please do not declaw him. My previous cat had to have four toes amputated because of a declawing accident.

As far as the cat bed, put it in a warm, elevated place, possibly near a window.

Answer 5

don't mutilate or maim your cat! Imagine what it would be like to have the tips of all your fingers removed.

Cover the parts of your sofa he scratches with packing tape. It may look ugly (use the clear kind), but after a while he'll get the hint not to scratch there and you can remove the tape.

Answer 6

if you make "ssth" sound with your teeth, that can sometimes get cats to stop scratching on the furniture. it scares them. if you don't know how to do the noise, just scare the cat everytime it scratches.

for the bed problem, try putting treats in the bed, or maybe moving the bed somewhere else. he probably doesn't like where it is

Answer 7

try sprinkling some cat nip on the places you want him to sleep...spray him with water everytime he scratches the couch. put the scratching posts next to the couch and then slowly move them away from the couch. the water thing works eventually and yeah put cat nip onhis bed too. he'll get so high and then just pass out on his bed...lol

Answer 8

You dont have to declaw him! Just simply put two-sided tape where ever he is scratching. I love cats. Try this and it should be fine.

Answer 9

1.BUY A SQUIRT BOTTLE
2.PLAY with the cat around the pole get it playing on it
3. if the cat sleeps with you,then put it in a room by itself at night with its bed and one of your old shirts that smell like you.

Answer 10

put double sticky tape where he likes to scratch and use the squirt bottle when you see him doing it.

we got our cats a cat bed when we got them almost a year ago and it took them many months before they were willing to use it. now I see them taking naps in there all the time and then at night they will sleep with us.