How do I stop my cats from scratching at my new couch?

Question

I am getting a brand new couch. It is corduroy fabric and i'm just afraid they will scratch the legs and the sides. Any suggestions?

Spraying with water is a good idea, but what about when no one is home??

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

Read the suggestions on this link: http://www.catscratching.com

You can use aluminum foil, double-sided sticky tape, or even plastic shields to protect the furniture - most of those items can be found in pet supply stores.

You'll need some good, tall, sturdy scratching posts with a nice texture that your cats like to scratch - sisal is great, so is carpet backing. Soft carpet is a little more iffy- some cats like it & some don't. Put the posts near where the cats sleep and eat, and near a litterbox. Make sure to put at least one post near the couch.

You can reduce any incidental damage while your cats are learning by trimming their nails - the catscratching.com site has instructions. If your cats are really determined, try softpaws: http://www.softpaws.com - little nail caps that cover the claws and prevent damage.

Answer 3

That should be easy. Get the double sided tape. They make "special" tape for pets ... but any tape with stick on both sides will work. CAREFULLY apply it to your couch so as not to damage the fabric. The cat won't scratch across the tape. Now if they are flipping out and scratching the seat itself (like mine do) ... you are pretty much screwed unless you kick them out of the room somehow.

Answer 4

I usually put aluminium foil along the arm chairs or whatever I like to protect. Kitties won't touch it. You can always remove it when visitors come. After a while they learn that it is an area they're not allowed to claw and keep to their scratching posts instead and you won't need to use the foil.

Good luck.

Answer 5

This is really tough. First because you have more than one cat. Cats are territorial. Second because what I'm going to advise you, you may not have time to establish.

Cats need scratching pads and their own furniture (like a tree covered with carpet) to scratch up marking their territory. With gentle redirection from your furniture to their pads and furniture they will become satisfied with their own.

I don't advise using pet store products advertised to keep pets off. This may encourage them to mark by spraying. Yes, even neutered males and females will mark with urine.

Answer 6

I put aluminium foil on the legs of my couch, and got her a scratching post, which when covered in catnip, was a sure thing for her to scratch!

Answer 7

If you go to your local pet store you can get covers to go over your cats claws... they are really small and they don't even realize they are there. If your cat is indoor only you can always have the front claws declawed. I know most people think it's cruel but the cats don't know the difference a couple days after you have it done anyway.

Answer 8

Get your cats a decent scratching post and trim the tips of their claws with nail clippers.

Don't declaw them. The pain they'll suffer isn't worth it...

Answer 9

If you see them scratching your couch, just lightly spray them with water from a squirt bottle.

Answer 10

It's hard. You can try water. I bought these things called soft paws and they work great. It is like a press on nail for their claws. It takes a little adjusting to gluing them on, but they work great and last a long time. very safe.