How can you get an older cat to stop scratching furniture?

Question

I have had my cat for 7 years. He has lived with my mom for about 3 years, since I couldn't have him at my apartment. He tore up my mom's couch really bad by scratching the corners. I am moving into a house, and I have new furniture (and yes, I replaced mom's couch as well!) and I can't have him tearing everything up. He is too old to get declawed, plus he likes to go outside, so I want him to keep his claws. Any suggestions on how I can get him to leave couches and chairs alone? What has worked for you?

Answer 1

There is one really good thing you can do.
Use 2 sided tape and apply it to the couch,now it might look rather strange to see it there but it WILL help. They won't like the feeling of their paws getting sticky.

A cat that scratches is simply apply his scent to the couch. They have scent glands on the feet. If you have a small piece of carpeting you can get or have around try getting him to use that and rub REAL catnip into it.

I have a cat who does this to my bed but she doesn't destroy it.

All the best and give the 2 sided tape a try!

Answer 2

I can't believe there are still people who mention declawing as an option to scratching. It is cruel and inhumane. And this cat obviously already goes outside, and declawing an outdoor cat is doubly so. Since the OP didn't mention declaw, I won't go into all the reasons why that is a bad idea. Now, you say you don't want to "buy anything" but buying something will be the easiest route. Getting the cat something that it can scratch on and redirect will save your furniture. Cats scratch for a myriad of reasons. A) to mark their territory as if to say "I live here" just as you put up pictures and knickknacks. B) for the health of their claws and feet C) for a good stretch and their mental health. To keep a cat from scratching all together is just unreasonable. The reason cats scratch furniture is because they are immobile objects. Most people buy scratching posts that are too small and move too much to be of much use to a cat. You can find a half decent tree on ebay for about $100.

Answer 3

If he likes to go outside DO NOT GET HIM DECLAWED it's one way he defends himself--however he is not too old to do it.
Having said that, keep his claws trimmed. The vet can teach u to do it and at Petco etc they sell these things that look like fake cat claws--sort of like press-on human nails. I have never used them--I am told they make it easier to trim their claws, also have been told you can leave them on but they aren't sharp. I tend to believe the first. They can help u a lot at the pet store. Squirting water is effective over and over--but they keep trying and they are home alone so can do it then. BTW balloons don't work for long either.

Answer 4

I made a cat scratching post for my 6 year old cat. Very simple I took plywood and made an L out of it (I used this metal tape stuff with a bunch of holes in it and screwed it together). I covered it with catnip, then carpet that he seemed to prefer and attached this thing to my wall (the long part of the L up) and put it near his food and water. He loves it because he can scratch up of at ground level and the catnip drives in wild.
The few times I did catch him scrathing elsewhere, I used a squirt bottle (didnt say anything) and squirted him with water. He soon got the idea.

Answer 5

Scratching post usually stops them, Spraying them with water because they don't know where it comes from, (They think it's from what ever they are scratching at the moment.) Spray a strong smell around the area. Hope some of this advise helped.

Answer 6

my cat scratched my bed for quiet a long time it was a real mess! and i used a special spray called citronela. Cats hate the smell and will not scratch the area where it is sprayed. you should be able to purchase this product at any pet shop. it worked for me, so hope you can find this useful

gemma

Answer 7

i have heard that using a perfume sprayed onto the areas that you do not want the cat to scratch and getting a cat scratch post for him may do the trick. Good luck and blessings to you.

Answer 8

Yeah, don't declaw him, it's mean. Try sparying Apple Bitter, you can buy it at Pet stores on the furnitue. Or spray it with water when he does it.

Answer 9

same problem here! i used bitter spray-at any pet store-also kept his nails trimmed by the vet every 3 months, seems to work-never ever declaw!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 10

Spray him with water when he does wrong. And no he is not to old to be de-clawed, call your vet for info.