How do I keep my cat from clawing my couch cushions? They are getting ruined!?

Answer 1

Provide your cat with a variety of scratching posts—cardboard, carpeting, wood, upholstery, etc. Some cats prefer horizontal posts and others prefer vertical posts, while still others favor slanted posts. Some cats like pile carpeting, while others will only scratch on sisal. Some prefer a longitudinal grain for raking, while others like a latitudinal grain for picking. Once you ascertain your cat’s personal preferences, provide additional posts in various locations. All cats should have a sturdy post that won’t shift or collapse when used. Cats also like a post that is tall enough so they can stretch fully—presumably why they like drapes so much!

- Encourage the cat to investigate the posts by scenting them with catnip or hanging toys at the tops of the posts. Take care to place posts in areas where the cat will be inclined to climb on them.

- Discourage inappropriate scratching by removing or covering desirable objects in your home. Turn speakers to the wall. Use plastic, double-sided sticky tape, sandpaper or vinyl carpet runner (turned upside-down to expose the knobby feet) on furniture or on the floor where the cat would stand to scratch. Place scratching posts adjacent to these objects.

- Clip the cat’s nails regularly.

- Consider using plastic caps (Soft PawsTM) for the cat’s nails. These caps attach to the nails with an adhesive so that if the cat scratches, no damage is done. The caps are temporary, lasting about 4 to 6 weeks.

- If, and only if, you catch your cat in the act of scratching an inappropriate object, you may try startling the cat by clapping your hands or squirting her with water. Do this sparingly because the cat may associate you with this startling event and come to fear you.

Answer 2

I would not declaw your cat, she will be defenceless. First, try using aluminum foil on your couch cushions to let her know that this is not the place for that. Cats do not like aluminum foil. After several days, try taking the foil away & there is a good chance that she will leave the couch alone if in the meantime you have given her a different place to scratch such as, a scratching pad or post. If she tries to scratch on your couch again, I would immediately apply the alumumium foil again to show her that this is wrong for her to do this. You can get a scratching pad at Walmart or K-mart for about 6 bucks and just make sure to have some fresh catnip on hand to sprinkle on it from time to time to keep her attention there instead of the couch.

Answer 3

Get a tall scratching post, it should reach as high as the cat can stretch and then a little more. Whenever you see the cat doing it, say AHHH NOOOO and take it to the post. You might need to put the cushions up temporarily to break the habit.

I don't suggest declawing because it causes a lot more problems than it solves, sure some people don't have a problem but many others do with things like biting aggression, litterbox problems. So instead of ripping the cushions, they might pee on them instead, there's no going back once it's done. Look up declawing, it's the removal not only of the nail but part of the toe! It causes bone and spinal problems because the cat can't stretch and they can have trouble walking on their feet.

How to stop scratching:

You can't stop scratching, it is a perfectly normal behaviour. What you can do is train your cat to scratch on specifically designated objects so they will avoid ruining your furniture.

For some owners declawing (which is illegal in most countries) is their chosen method to prevent scratching. This is a rather painful operation which involves amputation of the cat's claw up to the first joint. The majority of people strongly disagree with declawing of cats for a multitude of reasons. It is painful & unnecessary, it can also lead to other behavioural problems such as biting & inappropriate urination. Also, cats derive great pleasure from scratching & declawing deprives them of this pleasure. There are many alternative methods which are far kinder than declawing, which is really only performed for the owner's convenience anyway.





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The plan is to make the current target unpleasant while providing your cat with a more attractive alternative such as a scratching post or cheaper scratching boards which can be hung from a door handle. There's a huge variety on the market which will suit all tastes & budgets. Most scratching posts are covered either in carpet or sisal. If possible, temporarily cover the object your cat is scratching with some thick plastic or double sided tape, which will act as a deterrent.

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Another you may want to consider are water sprays (use when your cat starts scratching the furniture), this may work but it may just stop your cat scratching when you are around.
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You can also try placing orange peel around the location. Many cats find the citrus smell extremely unpleasant.
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Now you need to encourage your cat to use the scratching post provided. You can purchase catnip spray from many pet shops & spray this on the post to attract the cat, or rub some dried catnip on the post. Cats enjoy a scratch after a nap, so try placing the scratching post close to your cat's favoured sleeping location.
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If you see your cat making a beeline for a favourite piece of furniture to scratch on, gently pick up the cat & move it over to the scratching post. If the cat uses it heap plenty of praise on your cat. Cats respond far better to positive behaviour than negative behaviour from their owners.
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Cutting your cat's claws regularly will minimise damage caused to your furniture.
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Never physically punish a cat when you catch it scratching inappropriately. Physical punishment serves no purpose & more often than not has a negative effect on how your cat perceives you. A firm "no" & a spray with the water spray are more effective than smacking your cat.

With time & patience you will be able to re-train your cat to use a more appropriate object than your furniture. Good luck!!!

Answer 4

First of all how old is your cat? if your cat is still a kitten you should have the cat clawed know if the cat is 3 years old than it is too late. What you can get also is a scratching post that will help. But it is up to you what you ready want to do with your cat.
I hope this will help you.

Answer 5

No please don't De-Claw your cat,
My cat were doing the same thing, untill
I got this thing call a SCRATCH HAPPY,
And this really works it has catnip in it that cats love,
cat need to scratch for several perfectly natural reasons,
and that is to remove an uncomfortable scale that grows on
their nails, to maintain feline fitness, De-Clawing your cat
will make a very unhappy cat, and if the cat get out side it will
get killed if a dog gets to it, go to wal-mart or family dollar
store, and they both should have it, the price is about $3.00
or $4.00 so you should have a happy cat, and you will be happy also........

Answer 6

If it is an indoor cat, declaw it. If not just grab it when it does it and say NO and throw it on the floor. Also get a scratch post. Worked for my cat. But don't declaw if it's an outdoor cat bc that is cruel, bc if it gets out then it can't defend itself

Answer 7

get those cute little cat gloves they sell 4 cats.
Cause when they De-claw them they are in severe pain! When doing the declawing process they also cut out some of the bone :(

Answer 8

I know this may be a little bit tacky but it really does work! You are suppose to put some kind of sticky tape, preferably scotch tape right side up (or double sided tape) The cat wont like how it feels on its paws and will stop! Hope this works for you

Answer 9

DO NOT under any circumstances de-claw your cat. It's cruel.. it's akin to cutting off you fingers up to the first knuckle.

Get yourself a squirt gun, and squirt the cat whenever it does something unacceptable.

Answer 10

Get a scratching post.See if she likes it.She will claw that up instead of your furniture.If that doesn't work.Teach her not to claw up the furniture.