Any suggestions on what can deter a cat from tearing up furniture...???

Question

2 weeks ago I bought a new couch and loveseat when my fiance and I bought a new house. They both sit up off the floor on legs just enough that the cats can get under them. Of course there is the black lining on the bottom that covers what would be the opening there. My cats (well maybe only one of them, I cannot catch them in the act) have decided that it would be neat if they could make it a new hiding place. They have torn a hole in the lining just big enough to be able to climb inside and lay in it and start to tear up and play in all of the stuffing and the springs. They also started to claw the outside arms. These cats have not really done anything like this before. They have scratching pads and posts and toys that have usually kept them occupied. They still use all that stuff too, just added the furniture. Any suggestions??? I have heard feliway is good to keep cats from clawing things, but this is supposedly when it is because of stress, it looks like mine are just having fun :(

As I mentioned I already have scratching posts and toys and pads in the same room ev en just a few feet away from the couch.

Answer 1

One of my cats did the same thing to my mattress. We finally covered it (underneath) with a sheet so that he could no longer play with it. He still tried for a few days, but he couldn't get into the box springs so he eventually stopped. As for the arms of your furniture you could try covering them with double sided tape (or even smooth packing tape) wherever they are scratching. That is what we did and it has worked well. If neither of these work you may looking into getting soft paws for your cats. These go right over their claws and prevent them from damaging your things.

Answer 2

First off, it could be the smell of the new furniture. My cats will do the same thing when a new piece is brought into the house. They lived under my mattress for the longest time playing and sneezing because of the mattress dust they were pulling out. Finally had to wrap cardboard all the way around the base of the bed to keep them out.

Try 'Stay away spray' you can find it at Wal-Mart or a pet store. It's used as a training guide to keep animals away from certain spots in your home. I use it around my fishtank to keep pmy 3 indoor cats from having a sushi party while I'm at work.

COver the new chairs in Febreeze to kill whatever new odor there is, then spray it with the Training Spray. That should do the trick.

And to the idiot who said to put them outside - you need to be outside, maybe it could teach you some sense. Moron.

Answer 3

I recommend you repair the underneath with a stronger material or patch. As for the rest of the couch and loveseat....the only method that I know works is to drape your furniture (the parts being scratched?) with a loose fitting 'throw' blanket, or other loose material. Cats will not claw at loose fitting material as they cannot get the desired grip on their claws. They will quickly lose interest in the furniture and return to their scratching post.

Answer 4

You can put duct tape on the parts where your cat scratches. Cats hate the stickyness on their paws and will certainly avoid it. You could also do what my brother did when he was training his cat, then kitten to not scratch furniture. He bought a whole bunch of Winter Fresh gum. He took the wrappers and taped them all together and put them on the parts his kitty would scratch. The kitten went no where near the couch and stopped using it as a scratching post!! I think all cats hate the smell of Winter Fresh gum because it's really strong. And you can also spray them with water when you catch them in the act. You should also buy long and standing scratching posts. Cats need somewhere to scratch!

Answer 5

I do not like to sugest this but get them declawed, also get them cat scratching posts two of them, and kitty toys to play with. Call the vet and ask the vet for ideas.

Answer 6

put some cat scratching pads or whatever their called on your couch or get a cat tower

Answer 7

Keep them outside if they do that. No animal is worth having your furniture or other belongings destroyed for

Answer 8

well my suggestion is to maybe get a couch that doesn't stand off the ground so they cant get inside the couch .

Answer 9

Aww, your fluffy babies sound adorable. Let them do what they want to as long as they are fat and healthy.

and Julie, does your husband keep you outside because you are a cruel and not worth anything?

Answer 10

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