2007-09-04 08:50:16 · 10 answers · asked by Megan N 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Scratching is natural behaviour in cats, so the best thing to do is to offer your cat an acceptable alternative instead of your furniture. Cats have preferences for the types of item they like to scratch, so offer your cat a few choices such as scratch post, corrugated cardboard, or even the underside of a heavy duty door mat, until you find out which one they prefer using.
Part of a cat's desire to scratch, is to mark territory, so it's a good idea for them to have more than one scratch item. As they particularly like to scratch when they first wake up, keep one near your cat's sleeping area.
You haven't mentioned the age of your cat, but the web article below will help you train your cat to use the scratch item.
http://www.catscratching.com/
Be patient, and never physically punish your cat for scratching your furniture. When you catch your cat scratching something you don't want it to, hiss at the cat. This is usually enough to stop most of them in their tracks. They also really dislike the scent of methol or eucalyptus oil, so you can try rubbing a few drops of that on items you want to keep scratch free.
2007-09-04 09:14:55 · answer #1 · answered by Michele the Louis Wain cat 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Be sure your kitty has a scratching post where it can sharpen it's claws, typically if cats have a place to use for scratching they will use it rather than your furniture. Although you may want to stray away from leather furniture. Good Luck!!!
Also keep kitties claws trimmed...trim every 2-3 weeks.
2007-09-04 15:56:07 · answer #2 · answered by Teresa V 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have a disposable scratcher that has cat nip in it. Just lay it on the floor somewhere the cat feels safe. My cat hasn't scratched the furniture since I got it. I replace them about every 1-2 months. You can find them at Wal-mart.
2007-09-04 16:04:27 · answer #3 · answered by skellington 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Scratch post and a spray bottle.
2007-09-04 15:57:35 · answer #4 · answered by Puppy Zwolle 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
get it a scratching post, and whenever it starts to scratch on the furniture, put it on the post. whenever it scratches on the post on it's own, praise it.
trim its nails, or use SoftPaws (nail covers)
2007-09-04 15:57:06 · answer #5 · answered by Ember Halo 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Give him to Michael Vick!
2007-09-04 17:34:01 · answer #6 · answered by Answer Man of Yahoo! 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get a scratching post they work wonders
2007-09-04 16:18:52 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Scold him whenever he does and get him a toy to scratch. If that doesn't help I would suggest declawing him.
2007-09-04 15:57:32 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
get him or she declawed is the best way other then that buy a scratching post.
2007-09-04 15:58:36 · answer #9 · answered by purpleparadise2 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Get your cat declawed.
2007-09-04 15:55:58 · answer #10 · answered by tiafromtijuana 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋