How do you stop cats from using furniture as a scratching post?

Answer 1

A small led pellet inserted in the back of the head at approximately 157 feet per second ...

Answer 2

First, make sure that you are supplying your cat with at least ONE (I use 2) scratching posts. If you don't have any--I suggest that you get a couple (made of entirely different materials). Contrary to some peoples beliefs, cats do NOT scratch our furniture to make us mad at them or to get our attention. Cats NEED to scratch for a number of reasons: this is one way of trying to keep their nails trimmed. But, ultimately--this is YOUR job. Make sure that your kitty's nails are well trimmed (best done by your vet or a good groomer). Another reason cats scratch is because as their claws grow out, a flaky substance grows out with them, and it itches--they HAVE to scratch "something" to stop this itching.

Now, if you already have the scratching posts, etc., but she prefers the furniture, then--depending on what it is (I'm guessing sofa or chair?), you can do one of 3 things:
(a) Get yourself a clean spray bottle with the "stream" feature on the nozzle and fill with plain tap water. Everytime you catch her at this, blast her a good one while firmly saying "NO!" If you're at work a good part of the day, this won't work, as you must be consistent with it. So we go to plan (b)--wrap the portion of the furniture where she is scratching in either 2-sided tape OR aluminum foil. Cats HATE both of these substances and won't get near them--more than once. Then, there's (c)--If this is a large piece of furniture, cover it with those large plastic lawn & leaf bags. Just for double-coverage, you may want to run a couple pieces of 2-sided tape across the bags to hold them in place. Your problem should be solved in less than a week, as cats HATE all of these substances. Give any of these options a try. Good luck with this--but DO supply the standard scratching posts, as this is a MUST for cats.

Answer 3

OK. The same problem with almost everybody. Well, 1st things 1st. DO NOT GET HIM/HER DE-CLAWED!

OK. There r LOTS of ways. here r just some:

1. put scratching posts around the house/furniture.
2. do not allow him/her in that room
3. put spray bottles near the couch, and spray him/her when going close 2 the couch, or putting his/her paws on it.
4. There R these plastic caps that U can put on the cat's claws, and u glue 'em there, and it keeps them from scratching or ruining the couch. (This is what we did, and it works. It is special glue, not to pull out nails! It comes off eventually, and it does not pull out the cats nails, don't worry!)
5. disipline the cat (Not by hitting or anything like that!) but by a spray bottle and a few taps on the nose, and , just like our 2 cats, won't scratch, sit, or lay down on the couch just by knowing, "That object is a no-no!"

Both of our cats never scratches the couch any more, But 1 cat doesn't scratch it, (she has scratching posts, and all the stuff!), but she does sometimes lay on it. But if u don't want that neither, just spray them and that is that! Cats are very smart and it won't take them long 2 learn! Trust me!

Well, hope I helped, and, *Goooood luck!*
:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

Answer 4

Get a scratching post that's NOT made out of the same fabric as the furniture or carpet, as that will confuse them. Some cats like cardboard and some like rope or sisal, so try different ones. If your cat doesn't like a certain type, you can always donate it to an animal shelter. Also, give positive reinforcement, like a treat or scratch on the head or ears when you catch them using the scratching post or cardboard, and a loud NO or squirt with water if they scratch something that's off-limits.

Answer 5

My oldest cat shredded my couch when he was a kitten.
I then decided to get a new couch, but first he needed to be trained.
The first thing you need to do is go out and get a few different types of scratchers. There are sisal ones, carpeted ones, and cardboard ones. Maybe one of each if you can afford it.
I found that my Merlin likes the carpet ones. I always put his favorite toys and treats around the post to get him used to it. Whenever I saw him scratching on the couch, I gently picked him up and put his paws on the scratching post. After a few times he caught on. I praised him and gave him treats whenever I saw him using his post. If your cat is a little older, and likes catnip, you can put it on the post to attract him to it.
You also might want to try a boundary spray on the furniture your cat is scratching. It will keep them away from it all together and force them to use the scratching post.
Be sure that you are trimming their nails regularly. That way if they do scratch, it won't do as much damage.
Using a water bottle to deter them from scratching is also a good suggestion. You can also use a can of pennies (this worked best for me).
If you have exhausted all other methods you can also try Soft Paws. They are little plastic coverings that you glue over the nails. They can by tricky to put on. You might want a vet to do it for you. They can still retract their claws, scratch and everything, they just can't do the damage. Plus, you can get them in all different colors! :)
Good luck....
Please please, whatever you do, don't declaw your cat....

Answer 6

Go to Wal-Mart and buy a spray product called Four Paws Repellent. I use this on my furniture every day, with no discoloration or problems, almost no odor, but definitely keeps kitties off of things I don't want them on. The down side is you have to use it every day. The up side is it works.

Something that sometimes works with cats is to use a spray bottle. Don't threaten them with it, just HIDE IT and when you see them doing what you don't want them to do, you spray them! They begin to associate being sprayed with the bad behavior and will stop, but you must not let them see you doing the spraying. Yes, it's tricky I know and you really have to be consistent with this.

Also, Wal-Mart sells a scratcher that is made from cardboard, it is about 5 or 6 bucks, you throw it on the floor, take the cover off, it comes with catnip on it already, and the kitties ADORE this. If they are sharpening on the cardboard, they may choose to not use your furniture.

However, that is not a guarantee. The vets sell some little rubber tips that are superglued onto your kitty's nails, come in designer colors and keep kitty from shredding your flesh and your furniture.

Declawing the front feet by a vet is also a desperate resort, please make sure kitty doesn't go outside after that procedure.

Answer 7

Try using plastic and double sided sticky tape on the areas they scratch the most (usually the side and back).
Have a scratching post. If your cat doesn't have a scratching post what do you expect them to scratch? Sprinkle with catnip and praise them when they use the scratching post.
Trim her nails. When your cat is asleep gently press the paw so the claws expand and clip them with a nail clipper.

Remember that scratching is healthy and normal. It keeps their claws healthy, and relieves stress. Cats do not know a furniture or your pants leg is off limits unless you teach them. When they have limits they must have a diversion to something that is acceptable 100% of the time.

Answer 8

Buy a scratching post.
Smack the cat with a rolled up magazine ONCE, then bring the cat to the scratching post, put his paws on it, and run them over the post.
You will have to repeat this several times for several days, maybe even weeks.
The cat will learn "It is okay to scratch the post, but nowhere else."
Cats need to scratch - I'm not sure why, but they do. Mine does all the time - that's why we've got a scratching post.

Answer 9

There is a product you can buy called Claw Caps. They are thin pieces of plastic that slip over the claws and round the edges, keeping them from clawing your furniture or scratching. They are thin enough that they wont cause problems when your cat retracts it claws. I wouldn't recommend this if your cat goes outdoors since it will keep them from being able to defend themselves. The upside to this is unlike post training, them effects are immediate. You don't have to worry about your cat doing further damage to your furniture while you train it. Also unlike declawing there are no uncomfortable side-effects they can be taken off in a matter of minutes. You can never undo declawing.

Here are a few websites so that you can look over more information. Good luck!

http://www.softpaws.com/

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=2975&Ntt=claw+caps&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&N=2002&Nty=1

Answer 10

water spary bottle, if its doing it right by u a tap on the toes and removed....to a place where it can scratch..they need to scratch....mine have a door way they use...it theirs i put carpet(it now out door turf works better then normal carpet no little peice to sweep up) the whole way up...and they climb and scratch that... u could build a post some 2/4 and carpet.

if ur place is big enough check out petedge.com they have some get kitty jumps at reasonable prices.

Answer 11

you can just buy them another scratching post thas meant to be a scratching post and spray them with water when they use the furniture instead of their scratching post or you can have it declawed but thats really expensive. and you can clip them down short.