how do you keep a cat from scratching your furniture?

Answer 1

do NOT declaw him. this requires amputation of the last bone of each toe. it causes multiple long term serious problems, including toilet problems, muscle and joint problems among others. Be prepared for a big vet bill and a cat with issues if you do.

theres a product called "soft claws" you can buy. it consists of small rounded caps that you glue onto each of your cats claws. they last a couple of months and your cat wont be able to damage anything with scratching.

you can also file your cats nails (gently).

you can also get him his own scratch pole, with plenty of cat nip spray on it that will attract him to the pole instead of the couch.

there are also products you can get to spray on your couch to keep him away.
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Answer 2

This is what worked for my cats:

First, provide the cat with appropriate alternative scratching surfaces - scratching posts that are tall (at least 24"), very sturdy (most cats won't use a post that wobbles), and covered in a rough-textured fabric or sisal rope (posts with soft, fluffy carpet covering don't usually appeal to cats). Provide both horizontal and vertical scratching options - for horizontal options, you can lay down a log with the bark still on, or get a cardboard scratcher from the store, or a good heavy sisal doormat. Place the cat's posts & scratchers near where the cat rests, plays, and near the litterbox. Put one close to the couch or elsewhere the cat may have been scratching.

Second, make the furniture less appealing to the cat - double-sided sticky tape is the most affordable and easy option, or clear contact paper taped with clear tape, with the sticky side of the contact paper facing out. You can also get plastic shields to put on areas where the cat may scratch. Try spraying Feliway spray (fromt the pet store) on the areas the cat is tempted to scratch - some scratching behavior is territorial, and if that is the case for your cat, the Feliway should help. There are also remote deterrent devices available to train the cat away from the furniture - the Ssscat spray device is supposed to be a good one: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/NavResults.cfm?N=2002+2017
Remote devices are far more effective than trying to train a cat with a squirt gun - to be effective, a deterrent must occur 100% of the time a cat tries to scratch the furniture. Using a squirt gun only teaches the cat not to scratch the furniture *when you're there to catch him*!, and it may also cause him to become stressed and fearful of you.

Third, trim the cat's nails to reduce intentional damage, and prevent accidental damage - see this link for instructions:
http://www.catscratching.com/htmls/article.htm

Fourth - you can use nail caps to cover the sharp claws, to prevent any damage to your furniture: http://www.softclaws.com
If you're uncertain about applying them or are not used to handling your cat's paws, you can call around to find a groomer who can apply them for you & show you how to do it. They usually last about 6 weeks per application, though the cat may initially pull them off sooner as it adjusts - just replace them as they fall off. If the cat removes them too quickly, you can put a dab of bitter apple taste deterrent (from the pet store) on them to discourage that.

If you reach a point where you trust your cat not to scratch, but you're still concerned about incidental damage, you can simply keep the sharp tips of the nails trimmed, and you may wish to use a couch cover to protect your couch from accidental damage, and cat hair & dander. I like having a couch cover because I can relax & allow the cats on the furniture, but if guests come over I can have an instantly hair-free couch by just whipping off the cover. The cover will also discourage relapses, because it makes the couch a less stable scratching surface.

See also these links for great scratching & training info:
http://www.catscratching.com
http://www.paws.org/cas/resources/fact_sheets_cats/ (go to the Scratching links)
http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?action=library&act=show&item=002

Providing your cat with lots of positive outlets for his or her energy will help to reduce destructive behaviors - see these pages for good info:
https://www.vmth.ucdavis.edu/home/beh/feline_behavior/enrichment.html
http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?action=library&act=show&item=playtherapyforcats
http://www.vet.ohio-state.edu/747.htm

Hope this helps!

Answer 3

Sprinkle a little garlic on the edges- the cat won't get near it...make (or buy) a scratching post..just use a couple blocks of wood and some old carpeting! If your cat goes outside maybe she'll use the tree. You can also sprinkle a little catnip in places you WANT her to scratch.

Answer 4

go to Petsmart or Wal-mart and get a scratching post, with a toy on top.. Get some cat-weed (cat nip) and sprinkle it around the base of the scratcing post, it will learn to use that, and be a "happy" cat.

Answer 5

Pet stores sell a heavy duty plastic protector that you can put over the corners of your furniture to protect it from being torn up by your cat.
You can also find different types of protectors on line. Here's one example:
http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_attrib.php/page_id=1582/form_keyword=furniture+protector+cat/rd=1/mode=ink_kwfeed_15/skd=1

The alternative (and less humane) way is to have the cat declawed.

Answer 6

by a scratching post. hive the cat some thing else to think about.

Answer 7

1) get a scratcher for the cat.
2) get a spray bottle and squirt. but mostly just say in a clear verbal command, "No."
3) understand that cats do this because it's their instincts.

Answer 8

Thank you so much, raspberry, for speaking out against declawing.

Dear Asker,
Please see the links below to read about declawing and alternatives. I know that it's a lot of information, but please opt to be informed for the sake of your kitty. Thanks!

You people who are suggesting declawing should feel ashamed.

Answer 9

get soft claws!! They come in all colors and are easy to put on. They last about 8-9 weeks.

Answer 10

first never declaw just buy um a cat scratcher that will solve the problem so it won't hurt you or your cat