how do you stop your cats scratching your furniture..

[happylabs]

I ask this question as i embark on some new furniture, my first ever brand new lounge suite,yep have always had hand me downs, and not that i am ungrateful, but yes it is time i added my own personal touch.

I have a large scratch post downstairs,which both nikki and especially lexie use, but nikki was the one who messed up the old lounge suite, tearing it in at least three places, and i caught her today and yesterday at it again.

I growled at her, but does not seem to be doing the trick, i am worried when the new one arrives that she will start doing the same.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. thanks.

Good question! This is why I do not buy new furniture. Buddy is the only one of my 3 that scratches the furniture.

I hope someone here has an answer.

[carole]

yes well after having my second hand suite for over twenty years and it is tearing and a bit low to the ground for us these days, i decided it was time for a new one, but yes i would hate for it to be scratched, but i love my cats to bits, don't worry about that, but i know this is the best place to come and get good suggestions, as i am sure many have been there, and know what may actually work as a deterient,thanks in advance anyone.

[moosmom]

Good for you!!! I had piece-meal furniture, dishes, pots and pans...EVERYTHING. I was finally able to get new stuff for the first time in 35 years!!

I would try putting small catnip enhanced scratchers in the places they are known to scratch. You can also try heavy duty two sided tape (to hold carpeting down). Put it on all the corners of the new stuff. They don't like feel the first time they try to scratch and will avoid the area.

You can also put Soft Paws on them. They're like Lee Press-On Nails for cats!!

Good luck, girl!

[Cataholic]

Two sided tape, aluminum foil, plenty of appropriate scratcher that they do like, and tons of positive reinforcement when doing the right thing.

No squirt guns, water things, shaker cans...that is all negative reinforcement and simply doesn't work.

Remember, some cats LOVE the horizontal scratchers and some prefer the vertical. I have both of each. LOL.

[happylabs]

Remember, some cats LOVE the horizontal scratchers and some prefer the vertical. I have both of each. LOL.

I wish this worked for Buddy. I have a feeling this is why he was put out and became my cat when he was only a year old. The only good thing is he tends to scratch the back of the chair and couch so it isn't as visible.

[Barbara]

I agree with everyone who said "good question!".
What makes it very difficult is that they can "adopt" a piece of furniture even after years they ignored it
Kiri right now begins to lie under the sofa on her back and to drag her along with claws, a technique, Tigris had developed which successfully ruined our old sofa. But now it is a new one......
And Tigris and Kiri never met.
Orion has a new habit. He scratches the glass of a picture that hangs fairly deep when he wants to have somethng to eat. On the picture is a watercolor of a light grey kitty standing on its backpaws to try and catch a toy. Do you think he knows that?

[Queen of Poop]

Two sided tape!

[Cataholic]

I wish this worked for Buddy. I have a feeling this is why he was put out and became my cat when he was only a year old. The only good thing is he tends to scratch the back of the chair and couch so it isn't as visible.

Sometimes, you have to fool around/investigate the situation a bit to find out what Buddy wants/needs. I have ten cats. None of them are the same, and I have been surprised at the differences in their wants/needs many times. My little girl, Molly? She only likes the flat, cardboard ones- filled with cat nip. Cali? She only likes to hang from the ciscal (sic) covered cat tree. Monte? Eh- none. He prefers the chair. LOL.

[Freedom]

Multi step process:

1. Buy catnip. Crumble is to release the scent, on THEIR climbing trees, scratching posts, in their beds.

2. At the same time: use a squirt bottle. Mix equal parts, water and white vinegar. This is a mild mix and humans will not smell it. Bats, being down close to it, WILL. Squirt all the edges / corners of the new furniture; the sides and the backs. Start by doing one small area, just to be sure the color won't run (95% of fabrics can take this mix with NO issues).

Repeat the WHOLE THING at regular intervals. Do NOT wait until they start scratching stuff! Mark it on your calendar and DO IT.