You love your cat, but you don’t love the scratches she leaves on your furniture. It seems like no matter what you do, she just keeps scratching! In this blog post, we will discuss some tips and tricks that can help stop a cat from scratching furniture. We will also talk about why cats scratch in the first place and how to provide them with an appropriate outlet for their scratching needs.
Understand why it is that cats scratch things
As cat parents, we need to understand that cats scratch for a variety of reasons. It is a natural behavior that helps them keep their claws sharp and also serves as a form of exercise. Scratching also helps cats mark their territory by leaving behind visual and scent marks. Therefore, it is important to provide your cat with an appropriate outlet for her scratching needs. This can be done by investing in a good quality scratching post or cat tree. Be sure to place it in an area where your cat likes to hang out and make sure it is tall enough for her to stretch her body
Train them young
One of the best ways to stop a cat from scratching furniture is to start young. If you have a kitten, begin training her early on that furniture is not a scratching post. Provide her with plenty of appropriate scratch toys and praise her when she uses them. It’s important to be consistent with this training, as cats are creatures of habit. Every time you see her scratch furniture, redirect her to a toy or scratching post.
Offer multiple scratching posts
Offer your cat multiple scratching posts to encourage her to use them instead of your furniture. Scratching posts come in a variety of materials, so find one that your cat enjoys scratching. Offer a variety of scratching surfaces. Some cats prefer horizontal scratches, while others prefer vertical ones. You might need to experiment with a few different types of scratching posts before you find one that your cat likes.
Find out whether your cat prefers a vertical or horizontal scratching surface
Find out whether your cat prefers a vertical or horizontal scratching surface and provide her with one that is made of a material that she likes to scratch, such as cardboard, sisal, or carpet. You may also want to try using a catnip-infused scratching post or mat to encourage your cat to use it.
Invest in a large cat tree
One way to do this is to invest in a large cat tree. Cat trees provide your feline friend with a place to scratch, climb, and play. Be sure to choose a sturdy tree that won’t tip over when your cat jumps on it. You can also find cat trees with built-in scratching posts.
Trimmed the nails
You should also keep her nails trimmed. Once a week should do the trick. You can do this yourself with a pair of cat nail trimmers, or you can take her to the vet or groomer to have it done.
Use catnip to draw your cat to the scratching post
Use catnip to draw your cat to the scratching post. Catnip is a natural herb that is appealing to cats and can help encourage them to use the scratching post instead of your furniture. You can purchase catnip at most pet stores or online. Just sprinkle a little bit on the scratching post and see if your kitty is interested.
With a little patience and perseverance, you should be able to stop your cat from scratching furniture. Just remember to be consistent, and don’t give up if it takes awhile for your cat to catch on. Good luck!
