First, give your cat an adequate scratching post. Scratching is a natural behavior, and necessary for all cats – it’s how they stretch, mark their territory, relieve stress and shed their claws. Figure out if your cat likes horizontal or vertical scratching posts. There are kinds that are made of sissel, cardboard, both. Some hang from doors, some sit upright. So many options! Also, if your cat likes catnip, sprinkle the scratch post or spray it with catnip to attract your cat to it. You can also use treats to reward your kitty for using it.
Second, be sure to put the scratching post in a good, fun spot that your cat enjoys. You might want to get more than one post so your cat can be where you are and still enjoy scratching!
Third, consider setting your home with things are acceptable to scratch in addition to the posts. One great idea is a woven, straw rug by the front door. Helps protect your floor and cats often love to dig their claws into it. Another idea is a cheap wicker hamper. Many cat s like to scratch these and if you don’t mind it getting scratched, let him at it! The more acceptable places you give your cats to scratch, the less likely he/she will try to use the furniture.
Fourth, make the furniture an unappealing place to scratch by using tin-foil, double sided tape, or a product called Sticky Paws. These are all unpleasant sensations for a kitty trying to scratch.
Finally, correction or punishment, such as yelling or hitting, is not appropriate. Cats learn quickly that the punishment only happens when humans are around, and will just return to scratching furniture when you leave. Using a “pssssst” sound when the cat attempts to scratch often works to get his attention, which you can then re-direct to the scratching post. In severe cases, you can try using a squirt bottle, but only very quickly and you must try not to let the cat know the squirt is coming from you…or he will assume scratching is okay when you are not around. All these techniques must be used cautiously, as the cat may also scratch furniture, anticipating some attention (remember, to a bored cat, negative attention may be better than no attention at all).
There are many wonderful products that help with furniture scratching issues. Look below for our suggestions! Purchasing a product through the below links also helps generate revenue for the kitties of Homeward Trails!
