how do i stop my cat from schredding furniture?

Answer 1

There are special scissors and clippers available so you can clip your cat's claws. You just clip the hook off (you can see the vein so don't clip that much) every two to four weeks. Then you get or make a scratching post. It should be at least 3 feet tall and have an appropriately sized base so it won't fall over when they're scratching. I used a 4 x 4 and attached it to a base about 3 1/2 feet wide. Then I covered it with carpet. You can use old carpet (free) or get a remnant (cheap). This will satisfy both horizontal and vertical scratching. Rubbing catnip into the surface will attract the cats. Cardboard scratchers work well, too. Scratching is instinctive and also helps the cat shed the outer covering of the claws.

Additional reinforcement: Get a squirt bottle and fill it with water. Set it for "stream" and when you see your cat going after the furniture (even though you've clipped the claws) say, "NO" sharply and squirt the cat in the face. Pretty soon you'll just have to show the cat the squirt bottle and he'll stop whatever it is he's doing. You may need to clean your furniture where the cats tried to shred it because there are scents left over from their paw pads that might attract them.

Cats usually don't react well to punishment, so another idea might be to put the cats in a room when you're away or asleep. This will give them less opportunity to get into trouble when unsupervised. (Sorta like kids).

Answer 2

When the cat goes to claw the furniture, tell him no, take him off it and show him where the proper place to do it is...you can get them started doing it by scratching on the scratching post yourself first...or make a game out of it and use a toy for them to grab off/against the scratching post. Then praise when they do it correctly.

Don't declaw, just keep the nails trimmed. Would you like all your fingers cut off at the first knuckle?

I've had several cats, you can train them on just about anything if you have the time and patience. Train them on the word NO, if that doesn't work, keep a spray water bottle handy and say NO at the same time as a squirt, when the offending behaviour happens. Cats want to do the right thing and please you, it's up to you to educate them as to what pleases you....if you don't have the time, they will just be the kitties they are and do things by instinct.

Answer 3

I do not believe declawing is the answer. It's cruel in my book. But each person has their opinion. But you can get double sided tape and put it on the spot where they scratch the most or you can get cat claw covers. That is what I use on my cat. It works wonders. Here is the site. http://www.softpaws.com/
And don't hit. Spray with water. Makes a better impact and the cat won't be afraid of you just the water.

Answer 4

Please do not get your cat declawed like some others here have suggested. It is like cutting off their toes! Very painful for the cat!
Check out the sites I have listed below.
The first site I have listed will give you excellent advice on ways to keep your cat from scratching and shredding your furniture but also educate you on declawing a cat and why you should NOT!!

Answer 5

I have had the best results with pepper. you don't have to keep it on long, but when the cat learns that the pepper is on the couch, the cat will be gone. We also had our cat de-clawed though. Although us de-clawers may be viewed as cruel and unusual it was the best for our family. I am proud to say Phoebe is a very well adjusted girl with an awesome personality. Before you make any decisions talk to your vet. They will be able to lead you in the direction that is best for you.

Answer 6

If you hit her or anything similar she will think it is a rough game and she will do it even more. What you must do is get her a scratching post or something like that, and every time she tries to shred the furniture grab her gently by the neck, say no, and put her where she is allowed to scratch. It is important to give her the alternative.

Answer 7

I put a cover over some of my chairs that my cat seemed to love to shred, she eventually found the post she was supposed to be scratching and I was able to uncover the chairs and she didn't go back to scratching them. I just covered them with a sheet, but since they didn't have the same texture, she didn't want to scratch them.

Answer 8

go to walmart in the cat section, they have these cardboard scratching posts for less than 5 bucks, get 2 -3 of them and put them around your house, I have 4 and my cats have not scrached on the furniture since we put them in

Answer 9

Please DON'T Declaw that is so cruel Go to walmart and they have these 10 dollar post for scratching and my cat is a little over a year old and he has one and has never offered to scratch any of my furniture plus I have two kittens and they each have one too and love them

Answer 10

Best advice, get them declawed or they have some sort of spray at petsmart that will deter them from scratching up your furniture.