How do I stop my cat from scratching my sofa?

Question

We've just bought a new sofa and the cat is shredding it to pieces! She's got a scratching post but she doesn't use it and i have tried making a loud noise everytime she goes to scratch the sofa but that doesn' work, and neither does pushing her away, she just bites me! Anyone have any success stories?

Answer 1

a limb out of the yard it worked with our cats

Answer 2

I have three Maine Coon cats, and they love to clean and maintain their claws on a wooden post In the back garden, fortunately for me, although my sofa is a bit old anyway. Perhaps one option is to make the sofa less inviting, and less of a pleasure for the cat who obviously likes the feel of the material.
I would suggest a temporary covering or shield of some sort of hard plastic. or material that is unable to be penetrated by the cat, it might look a bit odd and distract from the couch's appearance, but it would break the cat's habit, and make it search out a new scratch source, such as the scratch post. Try rubbing some catnip into the scratch post as well, or try another type of scratch post material, experiment with a couple of different types, soft wood, compressed cardboard, or even material.

Answer 3

If you have a scratching post you are half way there. Get a spray from your pet shop that repels cats though having smells that moggies don't like. Spray it on all furniture exept the scratching post. It will soon learn to use the scratching post to the exclusion of all other vertical surfaces. Also, get a little plant spray gun, fill it up with a mild vinegar solution, when you see Mog have a scratch, give him a spray. Vinegar has a taste they hate, when they groom they taste it and it will stop them scratching everything exept the post. I hope this helps.

Answer 4

My cats had this problem too, but we're starting to make progress. The NUMBER one best thing is to have a clean water bottle (DO NOT use anything that ever had chemicals in it, buy a clean one for $1 at Wal-Mart) full of COLD water. I put mine in the fridge and get it out when I get home from work. If the cat starts scratching, firmly tell it NO and spray it (not in the face) with the cold water. Putting the bottle on "stream" is very effective.

I also put catnip on their scratching posts, and I reward them every time I see them using the scratching posts. I will pet them, give them treats, etc. when they scratch their post. Cats need to scratch and it's hard for them to understand what they can and can't scratch.

I also would recommend using "Bitter Apple" spray on your couch. It leaves a very bad taste in the cat's mouth if they lick it, and they eventually realize after scratching that and licking their paws, it tastes ucky!

Good luck!

Answer 5

as soon as you see that cat scratching the sofa make the loud noise pick her up and take her to the scratching post! she will soon get the message!as for the biting ! every time she does this give her a time out on her cat carrier box? after a short time she will realise this is not acceptable

Answer 6

Clip her toenails! You can buy every imaginable anti-furniture-scratching item on the market, but they don't work. We have the same problem and are now on our 5th sofa (they seem to like sofas). When one gets its nails clipped (during trips to the vet for various and sundry maladies), that particular kitty may try to scratch, but won't do any damage (for about 3 weeks - time it takes to sharpen the new nails). Just make sure it is done properly so as to not clip them too short. Just the tips and no more than 1/4 of the total length. They have cuticles, too.

Answer 7

Purchase this stuff in a spray can made by Hartz called Stay off training aid. It helps keep pets away from select areas inside and outside your home. It's in a white can with purple writing and with a picture of a dog and cat on it. You need to spray pretty often, and it does work! Also, buy a small area rug, One of my cats use that. My other cat uses the scratching post and my indoor tree! I guess it's the cat's personality on preferences of scratching areas.

Answer 8

Again the water trick works but you can also buy some sticky strips you attatch to the sides of the sofa from places like Lakeland. Cats hate sticky stuff on their paws. You could also trim them with special claw cutting scissors. Ebay sell tiny little cat claw caps in different colours which you glue to their claws. Totally safe and approved by the Veterinary society. Good luck x

Answer 9

Hi! some people might think this is mean but i grew up with cats the total of 28 in our family altogether and when we have one that either meows or scratches things to much we use a squirt bottle if you squirt them once everytime it goes to your couch then it will get the idea that you don't like it an might stop.We use to get ours declawed the front claws espacially if they r an indoor cat cause they don't need themI hope that helps good luck.

Answer 10

You can get transparent plastic to put on the side of your sofa while you attempt to retrain the cats behaviour...apparently Feliway is supposed to help with scratching to. Its a plug in like and air freshener and it stops the cats weird behaviour. If you are UK then i'll give you links if not then im sure you can find the sequivallent wherever you are...

Answer 11

Put her'his scratching post next to the sofa,like righ by where he/she scratches so maybe he/she will use it!! Get him/her declawed if it doesn't go outside...

Hope I helped

P.S. the reason the cat is scratching the sofa is to sharpen it's claws.....