Cat Scratching?

Question

How do you stop a cat from scrathing?? He won't scratch his post but loves to to it to the new sofas and my new bed!! Gonna get ruined!!

Answer 1

The best way to get a cat to scratch a post is to get them started when they are kittens. Older cats won't touch the posts, even with catnip. Some cats don't react to catnip. If cats aren't training to scratch a post from an early age, from my experience, they always scratch the same spot. Try covering the sofa with a heavy fabric covers. I would keep him out of the bedroom if you don't want him getting to the bed. Declawing is inhumane and illegal in some states.

Answer 2

You can try different types of scratchers like the ones made of cardboard that lay on the floor - our cats like those. If you see your cat scratching on something you don't want it to, DON'T yell at it or you'll scare it. Go up calmly, pull the cat away and take it to the scratcher. That way you're not distracting the cat from what it was doing - scratching - you're just teaching it the proper place to do it.

Sometimes cats can't be trained to stop, so you can try the plastic caps that you can buy from vets, pet stores and online. As long as your cat stays indoors, it's okay to cover the front nails to prevent damage. But if your cat goes outside AT ALL, do not cover the nails or the cat will have no defense.

Answer 3

There are some sticky pads you can get from pet shops which put cats off. You can remove them after a few weeks once the cat has learnt not to scratch there. Also perhaps spraying water at thim when they scratch will put him off.

Another good trick is to put a citrus spray on your sofa to make it smell of lime, oranges or lemons. Cats do not like this smell and should steer clear of the affected area.

Answer 4

Cats scratch to mark to leave their scent etc. Dogs bite chew and roll in dung! Fact! Get dried catnip and put it where you want the wee cat to scratch. Never scold. You could also distract by throwing a ping pong ball or baco foil ball or just call it's name in an encouraging manner. Then play with them. Okay when a cat scratches and you are out, you come home to torn, ruined whatever so what!... kids do it to bet you did so... moral.... leave them alone and accept the cat instinct. The choice is yours!
Have a purrfect Christmas..xx

Answer 5

I know the feeling! Get some cat nip spray and spray it on to his scratching post - it will attract him. You can also buy spray that gives off some yukky anti-cat scent to spray on the sofas and bed. Alternatively, put an old blanket where he's scratching, so that every time he scratches there it'll fall on his head. It'll frighten him just enough to stop it.

Good luck, and happy Christmas!!!

Answer 6

Well, they sell scratching boards of sorts that you can place around the house. They look like this: http://www.petco.com/Shop/petco_Product_R_3822_PC_productlist_Nav_208_N_23+146_sku_152510_familyID_6409.aspx

You can hang them on the sides of walls so cats can get that stretch when they scratch or put them on the floor. They also have catnip on them.

Otherwise, you can squirt your cat with a jet stream out of a water bottle when you catch him doing it. There are certain sprays like bitter apple that will keep cats from scratching, because they don't like the scent. I noticed my cat in particular did not like the smell of Febreze, so I would spray the corners of furniture with it.

You can also play tricks on him if he ignores the scents. Hang ballons on the corners of the furniture so if he starts unsheathing his claws near it, it'll pop and scare him. The noise alone should encourage him never to do it again.. and it's something that happens when you're not around. One of the problems with just squirting him with water is that he may still do it when you're not looking.

There's also an idea of putting tape on the sides temporarily. I was told they don't like the feel of scratching masking tape or the like.

I hope this helps.

Answer 7

keep a close eye on him when he attempts to scratch anywhere other than his post you have a water gun ready and squirt him so he is away you do not like this, you then pick him up and take him to his post. Cats by nature hate water so this should do the trick.after a few tries and he will get the point.

Answer 8

Try getting a scratch post and rub fresh cat nip all over it,cats love the smell,and it could save you're furniture,it worked with mine.If not there are some harmless sprays ,to spray on the parts you dont want him/her to scratch.

Answer 9

When my cat is scratching furniture and we catch her doing it, we tell her a firm "no" and pick her up and bring her to the scratching post. Sometimes we bring the scratching post to her. After a while, she stops scratching furniture. But you have to watch for it and scold her off consistently and she will learn.

Hopefully that will work for your cat too.

Answer 10

You are lucky its the Furniture! One of Mine uses my leg! A small tap on the paws puts her off!

I heard of of one guy who threw boxes of matches at the cat, when it scratched. he lefty load of boxes in suitable places. It got to the stage he only need pick up a box for the cat to stop.