Tips To Stop Unwanted Scratching
- NVHS
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Do your cats scratch your furniture?
Many cat owners are frustrated by this problem. We have some tips that might help you! First, let’s understand why cats scratch. Some cats scratch the furniture to mark their territory, some are filing down their nails—getting rid of torn or worn nails and making way for newer, stronger ones. Some scratch to stretch, and sometimes scratching can release a hormonal response, especially when excited or anxious.
So what can you do to reduce this behavior?
Start by protecting your furniture with something your cat won’t like—aluminum foil works well. Sticky tape can work for small areas, and some cats respond to furniture repellent.
Pay attention to whether your cat scratches the ground or a vertical surface. You’ll want to get something for them that it’s okay to scratch that matches their preference, either a tree/post or a lounge toy.
Try out a variety of cat scratchers or cat trees, and place them next to the furniture they’ve been attacking and near where you and your family tend to be. Cats will have different preferences, so you may need to try out a few before you find one that your cat will use. Once your cat takes a liking to it, you can gradually move it away from the furniture to where it’s more convenient in your home.
Play with your cat near the scratcher. Get a cat laser or wand and use it to get your cat to interact with the scratcher. This should increase the chance that your cat uses it. You can also try putting cat nip on the scratcher to draw your cat’s interest.
If your cat continues to scratch furniture, each time they do it, pick your cat up and move him near the cat scratcher and play with him there.
Try to keep your cat from being too bored. Play with her, allow her access to a window where she can watch what’s going on outside, and consider taking her out on a leash or giving her access to a screened in outdoor area (when it gets warmer).
