How can I keep my cat from sharpening his claws on the couch arms?

Question

Is there something I can put on the bottom of the couch to deter him?

Answer 1

DO NOT DECLAW YOUR CAT!!!
Cats are naturally wild, and they should never HAVE to stay inside.How would you like it if you were not aloud to go outside. let it outside and it will use a tree, or the ground soil.and yes definetly buy a scratching post, i suggerst that you get a high one because cats like to be above where they can see everything that is going on. This will help greately. Whatever you do, DO NOT be a stupid idiot and declaw your cat!!!

Answer 2

(1) You must provide objects for scratching that are appealing, attractive and convenient from your cat's point of view. Start by observing the physical features of the objects your cat is scratching. The answers to the following questions will help you understand your cat's scratching preferences:
Where are they located? Prominent objects, objects close to sleeping areas and areas near the entrance to a room are often chosen. What texture do they have -- are they soft or coarse? What shape do they have - are they horizontal or vertical? How tall are they? At what height does your cat scratch?
(2) Now, considering your cat's demonstrated preferences, substitute similar objects for her to scratch (rope-wrapped posts, corrugated cardboard or even a log). Place the acceptable object(s) near the inappropriate object(s) that she's already using. Make sure the objects are stable and won't fall over or move around when she uses them.
(3) Cover the inappropriate objects with something your cat will find unappealing, such as double sided sticky tape, aluminum foil. You can buy "Sticky Paws For Furniture" from Petco or Petsmart and cover your couch arms with the sheets - that should do the trick! Or you may give the objects an aversive odor by attaching cotton balls containing perfume, a muscle rub. Again, there are sprays you can buy from the petshop that are designed to repel cat scratching. Be careful with odors, though, because you don't want the nearby acceptable objects to also smell unpleasant.
(4) When your cat is consistently using the appropriate object, it can be moved very gradually (no more than three inches each day) to a location more suitable to you. It's best, however, to keep the appropriate scratching objects as close to your cat's preferred scratching locations as possible.
(5) Don't remove the coverings or odors from the couch until your cat is consistently using the cat scrathing post or pad in their permanent locations for several weeks, or even a month. They should then be removed gradually, not all at once.

Answer 3

Keeping a squirt bottle with water can help deter the cat, and there are commercial products out there. Best bet is provide the cat with an actual scratching post, and praise him when he does use it. If he tries the couch, simply pick him up, put him at the scratching post, and sit back down again. This might take some time, but the key here is to provide an alternate place to do the picking. This is natural in cats as a means to keep the claws in prime condition, and if prevented from doing so, can actually adversely affect the health of your cat.
Good luck.

Answer 4

There is a product called Soft Paws that you glue onto the cat's claws. They're little rubber caps, and they're soft, so the cat can't tear the couch up or scratch you for that matter. It's far better than declawing (I don't believe in removing a cat's claws either), they're pretty cheap, and you only have to replace them every few months. They send you 40 caps per package, so if you only put them on the front claws, they'll last you a year. That's not bad for 19 bucks.

You can still get him a scratching post and he'll use it out of habit (I know my cat still tries to sharpen her claws with them on), but at least your couch will be safe!

Answer 5

Buy him a scrathing post and buy some furnature spray at Petsmart in the cat section and spray the couch and buy a squirt bottle, fill it with water and if the cat goes back to the couch squirt him with the water and tell him "NO" ! I had a cat just like that, I researched what to do and I solved my problems! Good Luck!

Answer 6

well thats not a easy answer but to do that get a scratching post and put it on the door or any where your cat can see it then bring him to the post and take his paws and scratch the post with his paws that should help also u can take lemon juice and spray the couch arms with it cats dont like the smell of lemon i have two cats my self and it works for me hope this helps and god bless any outher cat questions just ask me or email me

Answer 7

I did the following with my cats. Place aluminum foil in areas that they stepped on. Even around legs of couches, etc and they hate the noise it makes. Good luck.

Answer 8

Buy it a scratching post. It'll prefer to use the post rather than the couch.

Answer 9

velcro they hate the feeling of the rough side of it. do not declaw the cat they cut the toes off at the knuckles.

Answer 10

you can have him declawed which will cost about sixty dollars or more.or you can keep a spray bottle of water nearby and spray him when he does things you dont want him to do. also buy a cat scratching post or a cat condo ,they love to play and get him some toys to play with.good luck.