If you’re a cat owner, you’ve probably noticed that your furry friend has a few destructive habits. Scratching is one of them. If you’re like me, you likely don’t mind when your cat scratches on its scratching post.
However, when your kitty starts scratching up the furniture, it can become a problem. Fortunately, there are some simple ways to train cats to stop scratching furniture altogether!
| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| – Training your cat to stop scratching your furniture is possible and can improve your relationship with your feline friend. |
| – Litter box training is a crucial aspect of cat training that can help reduce the risk of accidents and maintain a healthy home environment. |
| – Guidelines are available to help you train your cat more effectively and avoid common mistakes. |
| – Redirection, positive reinforcement, and consistency are key to successful cat training. |
| – Resources are available to help you learn more about training your cat and providing a happy and healthy environment for your furry friend. |
Determine Why Your Cat Is Scratching In The First Place
There are a number of reasons why your cat may be scratching in this location. Cats scratch to remove dead skin and sharpen their claws, so if your cat is scratching the furniture, it could be because he or she is feeling itchy.
Another reason for scratching is territorial marking; cats use their claws to mark territory in order to (hopefully) prevent other cats from encroaching on that area.
Cats also scratch when they want attention from their owners, so if you notice them doing this after you’ve been away for a while, it might mean that they’re looking for some love!
If you’re not sure why exactly your cat has chosen such an odd place as the furniture at home and especially if it bothers you it’s always best to ask your vet whether there’s anything else going on with him or her.
The benefits of training your cat are endless. According to our article on why it’s worth the effort, training can help reduce destructive behavior and improve the bond between you and your feline friend.
Make Your Home Less Inviting For Scratching
While you’re working on the basics, it’s also helpful to make sure that your cat doesn’t have access to any furniture or other items they can scratch. If you have a choice, putting their scratching post near the location where they like to scratch is ideal.
If not, try placing the post in the center of a room where they are less likely to go near furniture. You may also want to consider covering upholstery with plastic carpet runners or placing double-sided tape on areas where cats often scratch.
The key here is consistency and persistence! Your cat will learn faster if he sees others doing something more than if he only sees you doing it yourself. So get everyone on board with this training plan and remember not to punish your cat for scratching!
Be Patient And Consistent In Your Approach
While it might seem like a daunting task to train your cat, it’s important to remember that cats are not born knowing how to interact with the world around them.
They learn through observation and trial and error, just like you or I did when we were little. If you’re struggling with this training process, remind yourself that it’s normal for cats to scratch furniture or other surfaces as they explore their surroundings.
Keeping this in mind will help you keep your cool (and avoid yelling at your cat), but also know that consistency is key for successful training!
Whether you’ve been working on housebreaking a puppy or teaching an adult child some basic skills—being patient with each individual animal is vital for helping them become the best version of themselves.
Litter box training is an essential part of cat training. Our guide on tips and tricks can help you train your cat to use the litter box consistently and correctly.
Ditch Stuffed Toys That Have Interior Seeds
You can use catnip to train your cat to stop scratching furniture. Catnip is a natural herb that cats love, and you can use it in many different ways. First, you need to make sure that the stuffed toys that you have in your home contain no interior seeds or other objects.
The smell of those things will only encourage your cat to scratch them more often, which can lead her down a path towards destructive behavior.
Once this has been done and all of the old toys have been removed from sight and scent, it’s time for some fun training!
- Toss some catnip onto an empty couch cushion or chair (if there are no people sitting on it), then wait for your kitty to come over and investigate what smells so good!
- Repeat this process several times each day until she gets used to associating these places with the smell of fresh herbs—and don’t worry if your kitty isn’t interested in chasing around after little pieces of leafy plant just yet; sometimes it takes longer than others!
| Toy Type | Description |
|---|---|
| KONG Cat Toys | Durable, bouncy toys made from natural rubber. Can be stuffed with treats or catnip. |
| SmartyKat Skitter Critters | Fuzzy, interactive toys with catnip inside. Comes in a variety of shapes and colors. |
| Yeowww! Catnip Toys | Organic catnip-filled toys that cats love. Available in fun, colorful shapes like bananas and fish. |
| Ethical Pet Feather Dangler | Wand toy with feathers that mimics the motion of a bird in flight. Allows for interactive playtime between you and your cat. |
| Petstages Dental Health Chew Toys | Durable nylon chew toys that promote healthy teeth and gums. Available in multiple shapes and sizes. |
Avoid Sentimental Scratching Posts For The First Few Months
The first few months of training your cat to stop scratching furniture can be very frustrating. All your hard work can be undone by a single moment of weakness, like letting your cat loose in the house and forgetting to put away the sofa. If you’ve ever felt like this, don’t worry—it happens to everyone!
But before you give up on training altogether, it’s important that you consider what might have caused the slip-up: Was there something about the sofa that was attractive to your cat? A smell they liked? Perhaps it was too soft and comfortable, which made them want to mark their territory on it (cats typically do this with urine). Or maybe they were just bored and wanted something new and fun to play with?
Cat training can be difficult, but with the right knowledge, it can be a fun and rewarding experience. In our article on do’s and don’ts of cat training, we provide you with guidelines for success.
Make The Post More Appealing With Catnip And Scents
You can also make the post more appealing by adding catnip and/or scents to it. Catnip is a herb that cats love, though you should not use it for the first few months of scratching training (it’s best to wait until your kitty has had some success with their new scratching post).
If you do decide to use catnip, add just a little bit at first and then increase over time; too much may cause your cat to become aggressive or hyperactive, which won’t be helpful in keeping them away from the furniture!
Scented sprays like Feliway (available online) are another great way of enticing your feline friend into using their new territory marker instead of yours.
Cats are attracted to familiar smells so this spray will remind them that they’re home when they smell it while they’re scratching.
Try A Cardboard Box Or Forest Green Carpeting
If your cat is scratching furniture, try placing a cardboard box in the room for them to scratch on. Cardboard boxes are great alternatives to carpeting because they’re soft and easy to clean. You can also get creative with this idea by making your own cardboard box furniture!
Another option is forest green carpeting. Not only will it make your home look great, but it’s a natural scratching surface that cats won’t be able to resist! Some cats prefer softer surfaces than others so try out different kinds of carpets until you find one that works best for your pet!
| Scratching Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Scratch Lounge | A comfortable, eco-friendly scratching lounge made from 100% recycled materials. Catnip included for added enticement. |
| Catit Style Scratcher | A compact, wave-shaped cardboard scratcher that’s easy for cats to use and provides a satisfying scratching surface. |
| Cosmic Pet Alpine Scratcher | A durable corrugated cardboard scratcher with an incline design that cats love. Reversible for twice the use. |
| PetFusion Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge | A large, reversible scratcher and lounge made from recycled cardboard. Provides a durable scratching surface and comfortable resting spot. |
| Forest Green Carpeting | A sustainable and eco-friendly option for creating a scratching surface that cats love. Easy to replace when worn over time. |
Say No To Catnip (For Now)
You may have heard of catnip, and that it has something to do with cats scratching. While this is true, it’s not the whole story. Catnip is a stimulant that can cause your cat to scratch more if they use it too often–or at all.
This means that while you might want to give your kitty some catnip every now and then so they associate that smell with good things (like treats), you don’t want them over-stimulated or addicted to the stuff.
The best way to make sure this isn’t happening is not giving them too much in one sitting–and maybe only feeding them when you’re trying to train them!
Mistakes during cat training are common. Luckily, our article on common cat training mistakes provides you with a list of mistakes to avoid and how to train your cat more effectively.
Use Double-Sided Tape On Furniture
If your cat has started scratching furniture and you want to avoid having to buy new furniture, the double-sided tape method is a good option for protecting your existing furniture from cat scratches. You can easily find this at any hardware store or online retailer that sells home supplies.
Double-sided tape works because cats don’t like its texture as much as they like scratching on things such as carpet or wood surfaces.
When they try to scratch the double-sided tape, they will realize that it doesn’t provide any satisfaction for them and are likely to stop scratching altogether.
To apply the tape, simply place strips of it over areas where your cat likes to sit or scratch most frequently (e.g., along corners).
If you notice that there are still some areas where he/she continues to scratch even after covering them with double-sided tape, then consider using a spray bottle filled with water instead!
| Protectant | Description |
|---|---|
| Sticky Paws | Double-sided adhesive strips that attach to furniture to deter scratching. Non-toxic and safe for pets. |
| SmartCat Sticky Paws | Clear, transparent adhesive strips that can be cut to size. Easily removable and respositionable. |
| Claw Withdraw | A spray that emits a scent cats dislike, discouraging scratching. Safe for use on furniture, carpets, and curtains. |
| Cat Guard Pro | Heavy-duty vinyl film that covers and protects furniture from scratching. Transparent and easy to clean. |
| Sofa Scratcher | A cat scratching post that securely fits over the arm of a sofa to protect against scratching. Comes in a range of sizes and materials. |
Add Some Citrus Rinds To Corners Of Furniture
If you’re not into the idea of using citrus to deter your cat from scratching furniture, then here’s another method for you.
If you want to use this method, all you need is some citrus rinds. You can find them at any grocery store or even in your own kitchen if you have lemons lying around. Citrus has a natural ability to repel cats and it will also make furniture less appealing for them too!
To start using this method, first put the citrus rinds in all four corners of each piece of furniture where your cat likes to scratch. Make sure that they are visible enough so that they catch their attention.
After putting those pieces into place (and making sure they’re visible), see if there are any other places where your pet likes to scratch and place some more citrus rinds there as well!
Once all the areas are covered with these deterrents, give everything a little time for them “to take effect”. When it comes time for feeding time again – hopefully next month – I’ll let everyone know how things worked out 🙂
Whether you have a cat, dog, or any other furry friend, our ultimate guide to training your furry friend is a great resource to improve your training techniques. Learn about positive reinforcement, house training, and so much more.
Buy New Furniture They Can’t Possibly Destroy
If you have a cat that loves to scratch furniture, there are some things you can do to help.
First, get a scratching post that is tall and sturdy. Make sure it’s made of durable material so they can really sink their claws into it. The best ones have wide bases that prevent tipping over when your cat is using them to stretch up on.
Also remember: cats love high places! So if you want your cat to use their new scratching post instead of the couch or armchair, make sure it’s tall enough for them to stretch on top of comfortably.
| Furniture Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Leather | Resistant to scratches and easy to clean. May develop a patina over time. |
| Microfiber | Durable and stain-resistant, with a velvety texture. Can be difficult to clean certain types of stains. |
| Aluminum | Lightweight and resistant to rust, scratches, and other wear and tear. Can dent or bend with heavy use. |
| Bamboo | Durable and sustainable, with a natural look and feel. Requires special cleaning and care to avoid scratches. |
| Polywood | Made from recycled plastics and durable against scratches, dents, and weather damage. Resistant to fading and easy to clean. |
Conclusion
Cats are naturally curious and playful, so it’s no surprise that they might scratch things. If you don’t want to put up with this behavior, then you have to take action!
We hope that our tips have helped you understand why your cat is scratching furniture and how to prevent them from doing so.
Further Reading
If you’re interested in more information about how to train your cat to stop scratching furniture, check out these additional resources:
Train Your Cat to Stop Scratching Your Couch in 7 Days or Less: This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to train your cat to stop scratching your furniture within a week.
How to Train Your Cat to Stop Scratching Your Furniture: This resource offers tips and tricks for redirecting your cat’s scratching behavior to appropriate objects.
How to stop your cat from scratching the furniture: This Washington Post article provides expert advice on how to train your cat to stop scratching furniture.
FAQs
How can I tell if my cat is scratching out of instinct or aggression?
Cats scratch for many reasons, including natural instinct, territorial marking, and stress relief. Observe your cat’s behavior to determine if the scratching is aggressive or not. Aggressive scratching is usually accompanied by growling, hissing, or other signs of aggression.
Can I train an adult cat to stop scratching furniture?
Yes, you can train an adult cat to stop scratching furniture. The training process may take longer than it does for kittens, but it is still possible. Consistency and patience are key to success.
What types of scratching posts are best for training a cat?
Scratching posts come in various shapes and materials, but the best posts are tall and sturdy. Look for a post with a rough texture, such as sisal rope or wood, that your cat can easily dig their claws into.
Should I punish my cat for scratching furniture?
No, punishment is not an effective way to train your cat. Instead, try redirecting your cat’s scratching behavior to a scratching post or other appropriate object.
How long does it typically take to train a cat to stop scratching furniture?
Training times can vary depending on the cat’s age, personality, and history, but most cats can learn to stop scratching furniture within a few weeks with consistent training and positive reinforcement.
My name is Dr. Hellen James, and I am a veterinarian with over 20 years of experience in pets training. My qualifications are that I have been involved in the pet industry since I was 16 years old. I have worked as a groomer, dog trainer, and veterinarian.
