on my old sofa they used to scratch i really need to know how i stop them even attempting to have a scratch at them i paid £1400 for 2 sofas cant leave them outside all night the cats not the sofas WHAT DO I DO ??????????
2006-12-22 07:57:32 · 21 answers · asked by colly wobbles 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
If you've still got the old sofa you could use a bit of the fabric off it, wrap it round a scratching post, and put it next to the new sofa...the idea is your cats should stick with what's familiar to them. As time goes on just move the scratching post further from the sofa as time passes and your sofa should stay safe. If you haven't got the old sofa anymore then you could still use scratching posts, but you might have to encourage the cats to use them a bit more.
Sarah x
2006-12-22 08:02:45 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Since you're only beginning training now after you have your new sofas, you'll want to buy something to protect the sofas while you train. Here are some things you can try:
A throw (which could be an old blanket, something that covers the entire sofa)
Tin Foil
Spray on Deterents (Bitter apple)
Plastic cover
Moth Balls (You might consider this unpleasant too though)
I would recommend using any of these in combination, especially the throw! Now you must begin to train the cats to take their scratching needs elsewhere. If haven't already got something for them to scratch such as a scratching post, it is absolutely necessary that you get one and place it near the sofas. Rub it with cat nip and praise the kitties for using it. When they scratch the sofas spray them with water or shake pennies in a can. Something they hate that will stop them immediately and hopefully send them running. Try at this point taking them over to the scratching post. I would actually put my cat right on the scratching post that she would instinctively use her claws to hang onto it and then she would start scratching it, at which point I would praise her lots.
Hopefully this works for you and remember to keep at it, being persistent and patient. Good luck.
Edit: I'm really impressed with the idea to use a piece of fabric from the old sofa and attaching it to the scratching post! Thumbs up! If this is an option I definately recommend it as well! :D
2006-12-22 16:10:06 · answer #2 · answered by Mandy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you are lucky, they might not scratch the sofa. I know someone who has 2 cats and a leather suite and the cats don't touch it!!!! The scratching post is a good idea. Don't leave the cats near the sofa unsupervised.
2006-12-22 16:15:45 · answer #3 · answered by Jemima Puddleduck 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why in God's name would you buy a leather sofa when you know the cats are going to ruin it. Declawing them is very cruel and your cats would probably make you pay for it dearly. Getting rid of cats for a sofa is the stupidest thing I've ever heard of. Next time you might want to think about that before you buy something like that.
2006-12-22 16:19:38 · answer #4 · answered by Lulu 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hey we have a leather sofa and also had two litters of kittens last year, yep the kittens made a bit of a mess of the sofa as they dashed up and over it - but if your cats are full grown theres no reason why they should claw it, only this i can suggest is plastic or selotape along the bottom of the sofa (from the seat area to the ground) as older cats tend to stretch and claw. if you cats are gig scratchers then get some cat scratch posts and maybe some of the smell stuff to keep them off the sofa.
2006-12-22 16:13:13 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are clear plastic strips you can put on the sofa. Also, get them scratching posts and train them to use them.
(Why in the world did you get an expensive leather set when you knew they scratched on the old sofa?!)
2006-12-22 16:05:18 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put some rags soaked in oil of cloves around the sofas, cats hate the smell and won't go near!! Get some scratch posts for them
2006-12-22 16:05:15 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep the cats out of the room u have the sofas in,only way to totally prevent them touching them!
2006-12-22 16:00:18 · answer #8 · answered by ? 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had a great cat for sixteen years. She had only one bad habit. Just one! She love to scratch leather, purses, shoes, sofas, you name it. Unless you get your cat declawed (talk to your vet to decide) you may just want to put comforters on the sofa and hope for the best.
2006-12-22 16:01:33 · answer #9 · answered by maggiepirsq 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps thinking about this before having the sofas delivered may have been a good idea.
You can get them scratching posts....and hope they use them. You can get them declawed.
You can return the sofas.
2006-12-22 16:03:36 · answer #10 · answered by Barrett G 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋