Cats can scratch your furniture as a form of exercise to stretch and strengthen the muscles and tendons in their upper body. When they scratch things, the scent glands in their paws release odors to mark and create boundaries. Just like dogs, cats like to mark their territory. Believe it or not, scratching is normal cat behavior and happens for several reasons: Why Do Cats Scratch Furniture ?īefore we get into the gist of how to prevent cats from scratching furniture, you should know and understand why they do this in the first place. In this article, we’ll talk about some ways to make a cat proof couch and prevent scratch marks from popping up around the house. As frustrating as this may be, there are a number of tips on how to stop cats from scratching furniture. Even though it’s said that cats have 9 lives, your precious couch in the living room certainly doesn’t. No matter how frustrating the furniture scratching may be, it never justifies putting your animal through a painful-and in some places, illegal-procedure.As a cat owner, you’ve seen it all before: the never-ending cat hair on your clothes, the cat litter scattered everywhere but the box, and the slightly soul-crushing scratch marks left behind on your favorite piece of furniture.ĭespite their cuteness, cats can be a hassle to deal with when they treat your furniture as their scratch post. It may go without saying, but never declaw your cat. “Some cats will try to eat the tape and some won’t care that it’s there.” “You have to be careful,” Koski cautions. The tape’s texture may dissuade some cats from clawing, but it isn’t a permanent solution, and it won’t work for every pet. If a scratching post still isn’t cutting it, you could try clicker training, or turn to a temporary solution such as covering the edges of your furniture with double-sided tape. Once they voluntarily put their paws on it, there’s a good chance the texture will encourage them to start scratching it on their own. Koski suggests holding a treat or dangly toy above the post to encourage your cat to touch it. “They do things on their own time.” Coercing them into using a scratching post is likely to create a negative association with the object. Cats usually claw things in highly trafficked areas, so tucking your scratching post into an unused corner of a rarely visited room won’t be very appealing to them.ĭon’t force your pet to use the scratching post if they’re ignoring it. Where you actually put the scratching post is important, too. I tell people to get a big post on a non-skid surface.” She recommends the SmartCat Ultimate 32-in Sisal Cat Scratching Post, as it’s made of an appealing sisal material, and is tall and sturdy enough for cats to actually enjoy and feel secure using. “Small, cheap scratchers are for people, not cats,” Koski says. The size of your scratcher matters as well. A scratcher’s material is important, too, so try to notice if your pet shows a preference for anything like wood, carpet, or sisal. It’s smart to invest in a quality scratching post. If, for example, your cat tends to target the leg of a sofa, they probably like to scratch vertically if they often opt for the rug, then look for something flat. When you’re trying to convince your kitty to scratch something other than your furniture, Koski suggests paying close attention to what they prefer to claw. You may not be able to stop your cat from scratching, but you can try to prevent them from shredding your couch to bits or gouging the door frames so badly you have to forfeit your apartment’s security deposit. Step one: Invest in a good scratching post. How to Stop a Cat From Scratching Furniture If your pet’s in a really playful mood or is super excited to see you after you’ve been away all day, don’t be surprised if they interrupt their zoomies to claw at something. It’s a great way to stretch, and it also lets them work out excess energy after an exciting or tense interaction. There are other reasons cats scratch, too. It’s why you’ll often notice your kitty clawing at items in highly trafficked areas of your home like the family room or a doorway. It’s a way for cats to mark their territory: Not only do the scratches show visual evidence of their presence, but they also leave behind the animal’s scent. Scratching does more than just keep their claws in tip-top shape. “They need to keep that weaponry finely tuned.” Marci Koski, a feline behavioral consultant and founder of Feline Behavior Solutions, tells Mental Floss. Their claws are a main form of defense, and they let them catch prey,” Dr. You can’t stop a cat from scratching-nor should you.
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