Cats can be such a handful! They have a very tricky personality and they all have completely different habits towards household objects. Some cats are also very affectionate and like to play with their owners, but if that cat likes to scratch furniture, it is important to keep it away from the items that you treasure. The question is, “how to keep your cats from scratching furniture”.
If a scratching post is not enough for your cat and you’re tired of replacing expensive furniture every few weeks, read on for some tips on how to stop your cats from scratching anything in your home.
The first thing you want figure out when trying to stop your cats from scratching things around the house are their basic needs.
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How to keep cats from scratching furniture
There are different ways to keep your cat from scratching the furniture. Cats scratch things to mark territory, remove the dead outer layer of their claws and to stretch out their muscles.
The new trend today is to create a natural and organic home for them. With that in mind, you have to remember not to get furniture made of particleboard or just about anything that is fake/plastic or synthetic in nature because cats can smell that stuff and it will irritate them.
If you have a scratching post, but your cats don’t use it, try moving it closer to where they are sleeping (near a favorite window) so they can see what they are doing as they scratch. Sometimes all it takes is to move a scratching post closer to the spot where they have been scratching your furniture and they will begin to scratch it instead.
There are plenty of ways to keep cats from scratching furniture and there are also plenty of things to avoid when purchasing new furniture. Try incorporating some of these tips into your daily life and you’ll soon see results! Just make sure that you don’t get rid of your cat if this happens, because he’s part of the family after all.
Avoiding items that cats like to scratch can be difficult. Or even worse, furniture items that are made out of fuzzy materials are not only expensive, but they could also be a choking hazard as well.
The best way to avoid scratching furniture is by finding sturdy products made of actual wood or feet that have a non-slip rubber backing. These items can actually protect your furniture instead of damaging it due to aggressive scratching behavior.
Cats will not stop pestering you until you do something about the situation! If you catch them up in the act, leave them alone for the remainder of the day then try again the next day. It is hard to always be on guard, but it could save you a lot of money in the long run!
There are a few simple steps that can be taken to keep cats from scratching furniture. The first step is to make sure that your cat has plenty of toys to play with and keep them entertained with interactive toys.
You should also provide your cat with at least one or two scratching posts and try to keep these in high traffic areas around the house. Cats like scratching on something when they wake up from a mid-day nap. They also like using their claws when they are feeling particularly affectionate towards their owner and purring is occurring.
If you find that your cat is scratching more and more furniture, the first thing you want to do is try to remove them from the area. Try to confine them to one area while they are temporarily scared with this tactic. Cats respond best when they don’t feel threatened in any way.
If your cat is overly affectionate as well, purchase him or her a soft blanket that has a fuzzy texture and place it in their carrier or bed whenever they go on their scratching spree. This will prevent them from destroying something in the process.
Once your cat has reached adulthood, you’ll find that their favorite place to scratch will be their scratching post or some other piece of furniture. You may not be able to stop your cats from scratching but by placing a non-slip pad on the area the cat is currently scratching you will decrease wear and tear on the carpet or furniture.
Just make sure that you do not give in to allow your cat to continue this behavior because they will never forget and may even think it is okay to scratch anything in your home including draperies, drapes, carpet, you name it!
The desire to scratch is a hereditary trait. Once your cat reaches adulthood, his desire to scratch will only be magnified. If you want your cat to stop scratching, you must take a few precautions.
This may not be an easy task but, just like humans, cats can learn how to do things that they would not normally do. All it takes is a little bit of kindness and respect and they will eventually stop their destructive behavior on furniture.
If you’re ready to quit the constant struggle with your indoor cat’s scratching problem, then read on for some helpful tips.
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How to stop cats from scratching walls
Cats have an inside and an outside. They will scratch on both to mark territory and to relieve some of their energy. Here are three ways to stop them from using your walls as scratching posts.
Above all else, take notice of your cat’s preferences. Cats are pack animals and they like the comfort of a home. If a kitten is raised in a home with plenty of places to stretch out and scratch, then it may start scratching everything as it grows up.
The best way to curb this behavior is with plenty of high-value objects that your cat enjoys playing with that you can offer him or her on a daily basis.
Feeding your cat his or her own food is a great way to teach your cat that there are numerous options available for them to eat. This will encourage them to scratch the objects that you have chosen for their entertainment.
Another option is to get them a special scratching post made of soft, plush fabric instead of wood like platform ones. If you can find one with a shaggy design on top, your kitty will go in gaga for it!
If you do not have any extra money to spend this month, then look for items in your neighborhood yard sales for great deals on some inexpensive items or give the item away to a friend or family member.
When your cat is completely grown and has started to scratch less, then you can replace the furniture with a more traditional piece of furniture. A scratching post might not be good enough for your cat at this time.
If you have cats with anxiety issues, then they may react differently to some household noises. This could be one of the underlying reasons behind why your cat is scratching on things that it shouldn’t be.
If your cat is part of a larger family, these interactions could increase their stress level as well.
Why do cats scratch furniture?
Most cats scratch due to their upbringing. Some cats are just more prone to scratching than others. A cat will scratch his or her claws against furniture, walls, doors and any other flat surface in order to remove the dead outer layer and sharpen the claws underneath.
It’s important to remember that a cat’s paws are very sensitive, and he or she may be scratching because of a medical issue. If your cat starts scratching at inappropriate times or in places that are not normal for him or her, you should take them to the vet immediately because this may be a sign of an underlying medical condition.
Cats naturally lick their paws to keep them clean and to cool them off so it’s important that they have a scratching post at all times, especially during the warm months.
If you have a cat that’s constantly scratching your furniture, carpet or curtains, you might want to give this quick tip a try. Start by placing rubber carpet tape on your furniture, carpet or drapes. The tape is designed to be sticky, but it will not harm the fabric or nylon of your furniture.
This method may be an alternative for some cats because it keeps them from climbing up their scratching posts to reach things and because they are unable to scratch the vinyl or foam that these surfaces are made of.
Conclusion
Did you know that cats scratch furniture? How do you keep cats from scratching furniture? Many people don’t really think of their cat as destructive, but cats do have a way of breaking things in their environment such as scratching on counter tops and furniture.
There are ways that you can train your cat to stop this behavior including the use of a scratching post or by providing him or her with high-value objects that they enjoy playing with.
Cats tend to scratch where there is a problem in their environment and if the problem cannot be resolved, the cat will just start creating new problems. Cats seem to possess an endless number of scratching posts so they need to be able to scratch at odd places in order to relieve some of the tension in their bodies.
