Keep Cat From Scratching Furniture

Cats are natural scratchers. They use scratching to mark their territory, to stretch their muscles, and to remove dead skin from their claws. While scratching is a normal behavior for cats, it can be destructive to furniture. If your cat is scratching your furniture, there are a number of things you can do to discourage this behavior.

Provide your cat with scratching posts. Scratching posts are designed to satisfy your cat's natural scratching instincts. They are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, so you can find one that will fit your cat's needs. Place the scratching post in a location where your cat will be likely to use it, such as near their favorite sleeping spot or by a window.

Make sure the scratching post is tall enough for your cat. Cats like to stretch their muscles when they scratch, so the scratching post should be tall enough for them to reach their full height. A scratching post that is too short may not be as appealing to your cat.

Cover the furniture with catnip. Catnip is a natural herb that cats find irresistible. You can sprinkle catnip on your furniture to make it more appealing to your cat. This will encourage your cat to scratch the furniture less.

Use a pheromone spray. Pheromone sprays contain synthetic versions of the pheromones that cats use to mark their territory. These sprays can help to calm your cat and make them less likely to scratch your furniture.

Trim your cat's claws. Trimming your cat's claws will help to reduce the amount of damage they can do to your furniture. You can trim your cat's claws with a regular nail clipper.

Be patient. It may take some time for your cat to learn to use the scratching post instead of your furniture. Be patient and consistent with your training, and eventually your cat will get the message.

If you have tried all of these methods and your cat is still scratching your furniture, you may need to consult with a veterinarian or a professional animal behaviorist. They can help you to identify the underlying cause of your cat's scratching behavior and develop a plan to address it.