How can I stop my cat from scratching the furniture without using sprays?
My cat doesnt seem to want to use the scratching post I bought her. I dont want to spray the furniture with pet away, I do not want any unexpected stains. Any help is really appreciated. Thank you.
take the post and put it DIRECTLY in front of the furniture she uses.. Yes, it will be inconvenient for a while, but after she starts using it, you can slowly start moving it.
Cats use furniture for several reasons.
first, because it is a big sturdy object that does not move when they scratch. Cats scratch to get a good stretch as well as attempt to remove the dead layers of their claws. If your post isn’t as tall as your hip, then chances are she’ll never use the post because it moves too much. Invest in a bigger post, and one of those cardboard things that go on the floor..
Second, cats scratch to mark their territory. They pick your furniture because that is where you are, and they want to say "THIS HUMAN AND ALL IT’S STUFF IS MINE!!" Just like you like to decorate your house with nicknacs to make it yours, your cat likes to scent to make it hers. so putting the post by the furniture will allow her to scent where you are. Putting the post in a room you never visit will just defeat this purpose. Keep it in the room with the furniture.
praise the living daylights out of a cat that uses appropriate scratching posts. Do not punish cats who use inappropriate places. Simply say "NO" and if they don’t stop, gently redirect them to the post, and praise them silly for using the post. treat on or near the post as well.. Put nip on it if your cat likes catnip. Make it as positive thing as possible.
August 7th, 2010 at 2:44 pm
declaw him..
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August 7th, 2010 at 3:32 pm
Have you tried rubbing catnip on the scratching post? If that doesn’t work you might have to resort to sprays, but always make sure you do a spot test to make sure it won’t stain.
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August 7th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
get a plant sprayer from a garden shop.
fill it with water.
when puss starts to scratch, give him one shot of water.
they will soon associate scratching the sofa with getting wet!
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August 7th, 2010 at 4:00 pm
Cover the furniture in plastic, or get your cat a scratching post or box. Putting orange rhinds around the furniture may also work. Don’t declaw, it is very painful for the cat.
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August 7th, 2010 at 4:17 pm
take the post and put it DIRECTLY in front of the furniture she uses.. Yes, it will be inconvenient for a while, but after she starts using it, you can slowly start moving it.
Cats use furniture for several reasons.
first, because it is a big sturdy object that does not move when they scratch. Cats scratch to get a good stretch as well as attempt to remove the dead layers of their claws. If your post isn’t as tall as your hip, then chances are she’ll never use the post because it moves too much. Invest in a bigger post, and one of those cardboard things that go on the floor..
Second, cats scratch to mark their territory. They pick your furniture because that is where you are, and they want to say "THIS HUMAN AND ALL IT’S STUFF IS MINE!!" Just like you like to decorate your house with nicknacs to make it yours, your cat likes to scent to make it hers. so putting the post by the furniture will allow her to scent where you are. Putting the post in a room you never visit will just defeat this purpose. Keep it in the room with the furniture.
praise the living daylights out of a cat that uses appropriate scratching posts. Do not punish cats who use inappropriate places. Simply say "NO" and if they don’t stop, gently redirect them to the post, and praise them silly for using the post. treat on or near the post as well.. Put nip on it if your cat likes catnip. Make it as positive thing as possible.
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fur mom to six, and my furniture is over 10 years old and in great shape. (but then again ask me how many cat trees I have)
August 7th, 2010 at 5:01 pm
Put his/her a** out1
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August 7th, 2010 at 5:51 pm
Put a little catnip on the scratchin post every other day until the cat gets accustomed to using it.
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August 7th, 2010 at 6:37 pm
As a vet tech, much to the dismay of the vet i worked for I was constantly teaching clients behaviour modification for this perfectly normal behaviour of cats. Its just unacceptable to us humans. Double sided carpet tape works WONDERS..for furniture..keeping cats off counters..anywhere you dont want them. Yes a squirt bottle may work..when your there to catch them in the act. I have had clients wrap tin foil around arms and legs of furniture. The sprays sold are alcohol based..they can stain and once the alcohol evaporates so does the efficacy of the product. Again, i am a firm believer of double sided carpet tape.
good luck
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