Stop Cats From Scratching On Furniture

Cats are natural scratchers, and it's an important part of their behavior. Scratching helps them to mark their territory, stretch their muscles, and keep their claws healthy. However, if your cat is scratching on your furniture, it can be a nuisance and can damage your belongings. There are a few things you can do to stop your cat from scratching on furniture, including providing them with appropriate scratching surfaces, redirecting their scratching behavior, and using deterrents.

Provide Appropriate Scratching Surfaces

The best way to stop your cat from scratching on furniture is to provide them with appropriate scratching surfaces. These surfaces should be made of a material that your cat likes to scratch, such as sisal or cardboard. They should also be placed in areas where your cat likes to scratch, such as near their bed or favorite window. You may need to experiment with different scratching surfaces to find one that your cat likes the best.

Redirect Scratching Behavior

If your cat is already scratching on your furniture, you can try to redirect their scratching behavior to an appropriate scratching surface. When you see your cat scratching on furniture, gently pick them up and move them to the scratching surface. You can also try to make the scratching surface more appealing to your cat by sprinkling it with catnip or rubbing it with a toy that your cat likes.

Use Deterrents

If you've tried providing appropriate scratching surfaces and redirecting your cat's scratching behavior, but your cat is still scratching on furniture, you may need to use deterrents. Deterrents can be applied to furniture to make it less appealing to your cat. Some common deterrents include double-sided tape, aluminum foil, or citrus peels. You can also try using a spray deterrent that contains a scent that cats dislike, such as citrus or lavender.

Other Tips

In addition to the tips above, there are a few other things you can do to stop your cat from scratching on furniture. These include:

Trim your cat's claws regularly. This will help to reduce the amount of damage they can do to your furniture.
Play with your cat regularly. This will help to provide them with exercise and mental stimulation, which can help to reduce their desire to scratch.
Make sure your cat has plenty of other things to do, such as toys, scratching posts, and climbing structures. This will help to keep them entertained and less likely to scratch on your furniture.