New Cat - How Do I Keep My Furniture Scratch Free?

Question

I recently got a cat, and she still has her claws. She never uses her scratching post, but I don't want to get her claws removed. Any suggestions on how I can keep my furniture intact?

Answer

You can get cat repellent spray and spray that on things you want her to stay away from. Also you could get a spray bottle of water and give her a little squirt when you catch her clawing the wrong thing.

Answer

Redirect her attention. When you catch her scratching furniture, take her to the scratching post, use her paw to lightly scratch the appropriate places to scratch, and let her see you scratch it.

This always worked with my rescues that hadn't been properly trained before I adopted them.

Answer

Spray bottle of water when she is scratching on it

Answer

Claw caps! I used them with my cats, and after about 4 months of use, when I stopped putting them on they had given up the idea of scratching on furniture.

Answer

Double sided tape. They also make cans of air that are motion sensored. Keep bringing it back to the scratcher. Provide multiple directions of scratching/types of scratchers. One of my cats prefers cardboard scratchers on the floor (flat) and one prefers carpet that is vertical.

Give treats if you see them using the scratcher.

Answer

Lavender oil usually works as a cat repellent. Don't put it on the cat though, it's toxic to them. I add to a rag and rub down what they're clawing at and it works for most cats and doesn't hurt furniture. Verbal queues help others, I make a "Tisssss!" noise and that is usually enough for my eldest queen, though I do this for all of them so they gradually understand that as "stop". Spray bottles have never worked for me. They stop the action but don't teach anything.

It's important to use positive reinforcement in training. Get a cat tree, scratching post, toys, etc. and pet/treat them when they use these things. The more bored a cat is, the more likely they are to be destructive (...like children and dogs 😂). Finding toys they like could be hit and miss and attraction to catnip is genetic so if they don't respond to that once you know not to get it again. That's easy at least. Good luck.

Answer

Congrats on getting a cat! Please don't remove her nails that's cruel. Nails are part of the cat's bones unlike humans.

There are certain types of materials cat's will scratch more than others. For example suede / synthetic suede is something they don't like to scratch as it is too smooth. Materials like leather and coarse fabric will attract them as it provides friction. Similarly hardwood furniture will be less satisfying to scratch than furniture covered in scratchable materials. You could buy the right upholstery to reduce the likelihood of scratching, if that's an option.

The important thing is training and providing an alternative scratching area. Cats can be trained not to scratch your items but they will still need to scratch something. You will need to get a scratching mat or post and this has to be placed near to your furniture. Every time you see her scratching, shout "no" and scold her. Then move her to the scratching mat or post where she can scratch to her heart's content. Soon she will learn that the post is better than the furniture. It worked on my cats. I had a new home and they have been trained not to scratch the wrong things. They know which items they can scratch without being disturbed.

Answer

Scotch tape, or 2 sided tape, on the furniture. I have a little strip on the corner of each couch and you can barely see it. they don't like the feel of the tape and leave it alone.

Answer

Trim her claws so they're not sharp

Answer

We have two!! One that loves her scratching posts and the other that loves the couch and recliner... We are getting new furniture and planning on getting covers for them. The material the covers are made from is a material he doesn't like to scratch (similar to bed sheets). I also trim both their nails every couple weeks and use a squirt bottle. Unfortunately he has figured out someone has to be there to squirt him, so he waits until we aren't in the room to scratch it.

New Cat - How Do I Keep My Furniture Scratch Free?

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