Comments on: Is there any way to stop a cat from scratching furniture?

By: ♪ Seattle ♫

♪ Seattle ♫ — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 16:26:59 +0000

Hi there…cats are instinctively curious and to better train them we need to provide an environment that is mentally stimulating for them. Consider first adding a few extra scratching posts/mats with different textures such as cardboard, sisel, carpet and the like scratching posts. Some cats are horizontal scratchers whereas others are vertical so be sure to include both.

To prevent counter or table top surfing consider using double-side sticky tape as cats dislike having their paws stuck to the tape and soon learn to avoid areas that are unpleasant, which is more beneficial than a water bottle squirt since you can’t always be there to supervise your cat. Additionally, if there are food, dirty dishes on the counters while you are away, it’s important to clear off the counters and wash dishes when you are training your cat.

Consider purchasing a garbage can that has a closeable lid so that the cat no longer can have access to the contents. This generally is the best alternative to keep animals out of the garbage.

To help discourage climbing of curtains and damaging other items consider trimming your cat’s nails often and use a glue-on nail adhesive product called SoftPaws http://www.softpaws.com to soften the sharp nails.

Here’s an instructional video on how to trim cats claws by Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine for Feline Health: http://www.felinevideos.vet.cornell.edu/trimming_claws/full_movie.shtml
References :
Animal Trainer to domestic and exotic cats
27 year friendship with a veterinarian

By: wlsn_mry

wlsn_mry — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 16:09:59 +0000

One of my cats used to do that, but then I got a scratching post for him from the store, it is one with catnip on it or in it. He hasn't scratched on the furniture since
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By: Abby M

Abby M — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 15:25:59 +0000

We used packaging tape on the corners of our furniture. We also tried the water battle trick-spaying them with water-but it didn't really work and I thought it was cruel. The packaging tape really seemed to work well.
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By: wolf

wolf — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 14:36:59 +0000

yes go to your local health food store and buy a Ginger root and rub it into your furniture cats hate ginger.the root will leave no stain on your furniture.
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By: kennaluvsyall100

kennaluvsyall100 — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 14:20:59 +0000

yeah. get a scratching post.
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By: Blue Wolf

Blue Wolf — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 14:02:59 +0000

There are three possible ways that I know of to make a cat stop scratching. One is to declaw it but I wouldn’t recommend that if you have an outdoor kitty or even an indoor/outdoor kitty. You could also get certain sprays that are also supposed to stop them from scratching but that varies from cat to cat. The most effective way I’ve found is "capping" their claws. It’s not painful at all and you can get them at petsmart in diffrent colors. You just put a little of the special glue it comes with and stick it on kitties claws. They eventually fall off and you have to put them back on and I’d also recommend you make sure there claws stay clean because stuff tends to stick to them. Here is a great site I found: http://www.catscratching.com/
References :
Experience.

By: Almost Home

Almost Home — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 13:44:59 +0000

Soft Paws are an EXCELLENT alternative to painful declawing.

If your kitty doesn’t respond to efforts to deter her from scratching inappropriately, get her some soft paws! Not only do they work, but they’re cheap, and they come in some very cute colors.

I had pink softpaws for a scratching foster kitty a long time ago. They worked wonders, and didn’t cause her any pain. She could scratch wherever she wanted to, and it didn’t hurt a thing.

http://www.softpaws.com/
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By: dim2000_uk

dim2000_uk — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 12:57:59 +0000

well you dont declaw them unless you are also willing to have your fingers chopped off… thank god vets overy here in the uk wont even do it anymore..

if there is a solution id love to hear it… id kind of figured it was part of having cats… we dont have, have never had and never intend to have any decent furniture… the cats only ruin it.. .:D
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By: Rose

Rose — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 12:08:59 +0000

Either buy or make a cat scratching poll. You can make one using a piece of 4" X 4" which you've bolted into a wide, sturdy base made of 1 inch plywood cut to size then attaching carpet to it with carpet tacks or a staple gun. Every time you catch the cat scratching on the furniture, scold it then take it to the scratching poll. They also sell cat repellent at Pet Smart which you could try spraying on the areas where the cat likes to scratch.
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By: Lola

Lola — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 11:24:59 +0000

We didn’t want to declaw our housecats and had the same problem, especially with the "baby". I put small strips of clear wide strapping/packaging tape over all the places where she/they were scratching. It didn’t hurt the furniture and eventually broke the habit. I also put a little piece of the tape, sticky side up on dining room chairs, etc where I didn’t want them jumping up and sitting. When we left the house overnight, I stacked sofa pillows at all the logical scratching places which made it impossible to scratch the furniture. They finally relented and started using the scratching posts which have sisal rope wrapped on them…the only ones that have every worked and we make sure they are secure from tipping by having them braced against a wall. We have three cats and one doesn’t like the posts because one tipped over when she used it, but she uses those flat mats with sisal on them from the pet store.
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