How to stop cat scratching furniture

Does anyone remember the song Cat Scratch Fever, by Ted Nugent? It was released in 1977 and in 2009, VH1 named it the 32nd best rock song of all time. But, we digress. No matter how much you love your cat(s), if they are tearing up your furniture, it’s time to find a solution. We’re here to help.

Do All Cats Scratch Furniture?

Scratching is a normal aspect of cat behavior. In the wild, cats scratch their claws to remove the dead layer of claw (think of it like a cat manicure), which helps to keep their claws sharp for hunting. Scratching also lets them mark their territory. They have scent glands between their claws and the scratch marks themselves are a visual sign to other cats that this area is occupied. Scratching and stretching also help them to keep their bodies in good shape.

So, your much-loved cat is simply being a cat. However, it’s not fun if they decide to leave their calling card on your furniture, drapes or carpets. So here are some proven ways to keep a cat from scratching furniture.

Don’t Declaw Your Cat

Declawing your cat is not recommended. It’s a surgical procedure that involves removing the last bone in each of your cat’s toes to prevent the claws from regrowing. It can lead to behavior problems such as biting and refusal to use a litter box.

Kittens begin to scratch at around 8 weeks old, so start training your cat when it’s young, by providing scratching posts or stands. Your cat can still indulge in its natural behavior, but without shredding your furniture. And, here’s more awesome DIY cat furniture to entertain your cat.

Use Cat Scratch Spray

Using a cat scratch spray will trick your cat into thinking that it has already marked its territory, discouraging it from scratching where you don’t want it to. You can purchase a spray to stop cats from scratching furniture, but it’s easy to make your own homemade cat scratching spray using vinegar, essential citrus oils, or even garlic and peppermint! And if you’re trying to keep your cat off your kitchen countertop, here are 10 ways to do it.

Buy cat deterrent spray now on Amazon.

Use Cat Scratch Tape

If you’re wondering how to stop cats from scratching leather furniture, then cat scratch tape is the answer. It also works well on fabric, carpet and hard surfaces such as walls and doors. This double-sided sticky tape comes in panels or rolls like regular tape, and can be stuck where you need it and removed easily afterward. Cats hate the feeling of stickiness on their paws, so it discourages scratching. Buy cat scratch tape now on Amazon.

Cat socks (aka mittens) to prevent scratching are an alternative to declawing. These socks work well for some cats, but if yours gets frustrated and keeps removing them, try soft nail caps that glue onto your cat’s claws. These will limit the damage if your cat does decide to scratch where it shouldn’t. Buy soft nail caps now on Amazon and cat socks now on Amazon.

Protect with Vinyl Guards

Yet another option is to install clear vinyl panels on your furniture where your cat wants to scratch. These panels are available in many sizes and they come with screw pins that make the panels very easy to install. Buy clear vinyl panels now on Amazon.

So, while you might not be able to keep cat from scratching furniture altogether, these tips can reduce the likelihood of damage to your home.

Can’t remember Cat Scratch Fever? You’re welcome.

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Originally Published: March 28, 2019

We know how you feel when you wake up and find a new set of claw marks made by your cat while you slept. It can be disheartening, to say the least. You probably feel that your visitors will wonder why your sofa is full of scratch marks. And now that you want to buy a new sofa, what can you do to stop your feline friend from ruining the new couch?

Here’s a brief explanation of the reasons why cats scratch and some ways to keep cats from scratching your furniture.

Before you attempt to train your cat to stop scratching your furniture, you need to appreciate the reasons why they do this. Cats scratch surfaces to:

• Stretch their bodies: A cat needs to stretch their muscles, and scratching enables them to do regular exercise.
• Mark out territories: A cat has scent glands in between their paws. Anytime they scratch something, the glands release odors that allow them to create the boundaries of their territory.
• Keep healthy claws: Scratching allows your cat to shed the old layers on the tips of their claws. This keeps the claws sharp and healthy.
• To relieve stress: Scratching allows cats to ease tension, and it prevents them from developing bad behaviors like defecating carelessly.

What Are Some Ways to Keep Cats From Scratching Furniture?

While cats may need to scratch to stay calm and healthy, you don’t want them to damage your furniture or other precious belongings anymore. If your cat is scratching your furniture, here are some ways to stop this behavior:

• Get some scratching posts and toys:  Offer your cat at least one acceptable scratching surface. Make sure you choose posts that are strong, stable and tall, with a material, like sisal fabric, that encourages your cats to scratch. This is very important, because if your scratching post doesn’t have a cat-friendly surface, then they may ignore it.
• Position your scratching posts: Put the posts in areas where your cat loves to play or rest. These are areas like the family room and spots near windows. Cats like stretching and scratching after waking up, so put one near their usual sleeping area. Also, place one near the furniture they like to scratch. All posts must be in conspicuous places where your cat can use them to mark their territorial boundaries.
• Discourage the cat from scratching couches and other furniture: You can do this by tucking a sheet around the scratched section to stop the cat from reaching it. You may also use aluminum foil or double-sided tape to cover the area. Another method is to spray the couch with a citrus scent as cats dislike the smell of citrus.
• Encourage your cats to scratch the posts: Sprinkle catnip or spray honeysuckle on the posts. This will attract the cat and make them more interested in scratching the posts. You may also play with a wand toy near a post and then place the wand toy on the post, so the cat discovers the post and scratches it.
• Redirect bad scratching: When you catch your cat scratching where they should not, make a loud noise to distract them and redirect them to a scratching post. Offer positive reinforcement when they scratch a post, such as catnip or treats.
• Maintain your cat’s claws: Another important way to limit scratching is to maintain your cat’s claws. Unmanaged claws can grow into your cat’s paw pad, causing pain and sometimes infection. Clip your cat’s claws every few weeks to keep them from overgrowing.

Can I Declaw My Cat?

Though cat scratching can be a troublesome issue, declawing your cat is not a good idea. Many pet owners mistake declawing for an easy, harmless fix. In reality, declawing your cat can cause serious, long-term issues. The Humane Society of the United States opposes cat declawing, except in the rare case of a cancerous nail bed tumor.

There are many reasons not to declaw cats and kittens. Cat scratching is a natural behavior, and cats rely on their claws to feel safe and secure. Declawing is not a harmless trim — it’s the amputation of each toe’s last bone. It’s the equivalent of cutting off each finger at the last knuckle. This is a serious operation offering no medical benefit for the cat. In fact, it can harm the cat in multiple ways. Declawing your cat can lead to the following issues:

• Physical pain: Declawing causes pain in the paw. This often lasts beyond a normal surgery recovery period. Many cats have ongoing pain after declawing. Not being able to stretch their muscles while scratching can also cause muscle pain.
• Infection: Having a major wound on each toe presents a high risk of infection. Many cats face painful and life-threatening infections after they’re declawed.
• Bone spurs and nerve damage: Because removing claws is an invasive operation, errors can occur. Many cats experience painful nerve damage and bone spurs.
• Aggressive behavior: Cats use their claws to defend themselves. A cat with no claws is likely to feel unsafe often, which can lead to aggressive, self-defensive behavior. Declawed cats may be more likely to bite.
• Refusal to use the litter box: For at least a week or two after the declawing surgery, cat owners have to replace litter with shredded newspaper, since litter will irritate the cats’ wounds. The unfamiliarity and pain when scratching in the box cause some cats to avoid the litter box long-term. In this way, declawing can reverse house-breaking.
• Lameness: Long-term pain and other complications of declawing can render cats lame for life. Some retain a long-term limp.

In short — it’s not worth the risk. Declawing may seem like an easy way to stop scratching problems, but it causes a slew of other, more serious issues. You may have heard of tendonectomy, an alternative to traditional declawing. This procedure involves severing the tendons in each toe that control the claws. This is just as dangerous and painful for the cat as declawing, and is not recommended.

Instead of giving your cat a painful, risky and detrimental medical procedure, work with your cat to stop unwanted scratching. Cats need their claws and need to be able to scratch. By encouraging your cat to use scratching posts and maintaining your cat’s claws, you can eliminate bad scratching.

What Can I Do if My Cat Won’t Stop Scratching?

If you have applied all of these tips and your cat doesn’t stop scratching furniture and other undesirable surfaces in your house, you should use nail caps. These are usually made of vinyl, and they protect precious surfaces from damage.

Contact Us Today

For more information on how to stop your cat from scratching furniture in your home, please give us a call at 941-355-7707, or fill out our contact form! And if you live in Sarasota, Bradenton or Lakewood Ranch, bring your cat to our AAHA-accredited facility to enjoy our compassionate vet care. Book your appointment online today!