Are you worried about how to stop cats from scratching furniture? This is the right click made by you! Cats are too cute to scold or treat strictly whenever they act mischievously.
But at times, their “not so cute” acts might cause you trouble. Scratching furniture is one of those most unpleasant acts done by our feline friends at home.
Firstly, it is worth noting that this issue is not impossible to solve since cats can be conditioned not to indulge in activities that incur losses to the owner. Though it might seem a bit frustrating early on, you are sure to succeed in maturing your cat if you focus on understanding the behavior.
Secondly, using certain defense mechanisms and behavioral drills can also eradicate this issue in no time. Wondering how to do this? Read on to know everything about your cat’s behavior.
Top 10 Tips You Need to Follow Right Away
The real-life menace of furniture scratching might become devastating if not stopped at the right time. If you are wondering why your cat scratches in the first place, the answer is simple – to mark territory.
Go through the following tips for a much better understanding of how to stop cats from scratching furniture:
1. Install A Scratch Post to Displace Scratching Acts Positively
A Scratch post is a vertical stand that allows your cats to feel the same gratification as that of scratching furniture.
Some frequently asked questions regarding these posts include the specifications, texture, etc. These are quite personalized – install one scratch post per cat, choose a long and sturdy one without any prickly projections.
Here are a few recommendations for you to get started.
2. Cover the Scratch-prone Areas
Everyone wishes to save those antique tabletops and delicate couches from scratch marks. The best way to do so is adequate covering.
Though it might mess with the aesthetics for some time, it is a crucial step at the beginning of this training. Do not forget to displace them to mislead the cat. This way, scratching is bound to decrease.
3. Stay Punctual with Trimming Paw Nails
Short nails would not administer deep and awful scratch marks. In addition, long paw nails are detrimental to the cat’s skin too.
Do not trim too deep; it would cause pain and swelling, making the cat much more susceptible to scratching. Take the help of the vet in the early days. If possible, file the nails after trimming to decrease the marks further.
4. Try to Produce Sounds when Scratching Occurs
In other words, shift the attention of your pet cat each time it tries to scratch furniture. This might be a time-consuming task and might require you to keep a watch on the feline.
Negative reinforcement might not help in this case since hungry cats might scratch exponentially more to vent out their frustration. Just clap or toss an object.
5. Use A Diffuser where Your Cat Sleeps
A diffuser is similar to your electrical mosquito repellants. Plugin the diffuser while your cat sleeps at any time.
It has some necessary feel-good fragrances which make your cat less insecure. These diffusers might also make your cat less aggressive. Do not forget to switch it off once your cat is up and moving since an overdose might hurt.
6. Say No to Declawing
Toe amputation has been declared illegal in most countries worldwide. Even if it is permissible in your area, do opt for declawing to reduce the scratching behavior.
Even the incomplete removal of claws might further irritate your cat. This transition in physical condition takes months to settle, and scratching is not reduced at all.
7. Give them Ample Space to Stretch
Multiple pets might soon become envious of each other based on the attention provided by the owner. Cats, in particular, divert this aggression towards scratching and might reduce your delicate furniture to sculpting masterpieces (pun intended) in no time.
Let each cat have its own territory so that it can stretch as much as it wants.
8. Opt for A Comfortable Claw Cover
It is better to digest the truth – you CANNOT completely stop your cat from scratching. All you can do is practice displacement measures or make use of less delicate furniture. Claw covers are like mittens and make the cat feel more comfortable while playing.
9. Motivate Your Cat to Stop Scratching Furniture
This is easy – arrange the food in line, leading the cat towards the scratch post. You can place the displacement object near the furniture.
10. Make Use of A Reliable Phenomenal Spray at the Scratching Sites
Phenomenal sprays are used to entice cats and give them a soothing sensation. Once the whole area is sprayed thoroughly, you no more need to worry about how to stop cats from scratching furniture!
Essentials by Behaviorists
The way forward might not be a cakewalk, as suggested by most behaviorists. Patience is the key since habit formation in cats takes less time than breaking habits. It is also a proven fact that displacement proves effective irrespective of the cat’s age.
As mentioned above, a scratch post might prove to help channelize the anger quite soon.
You might be thinking that your cat is more stubborn than those that would have been studied by behaviorists. That might be true. The practicality of the issue has been sought over time and again.
Since cats have become common pets these days, most of them have already been trained for human-friendly acts during the rearing period.
Conclusion
The question on “how to stop cats from scratching furniture” might have been answered by now. But the solution and steps are better said than done.
Get ready for some struggles when you begin with the tips. Your cat might even throw tantrums to avoid the procedures you follow.
Whatever be the case, persistence is the key to modeling a cat’s scratching acts in a short duration. Once you have made all the arrangements and start to see some improvement, do not forget to reinforce the cat.
The relapse rate is also quite high in such cases so make sure you keep a careful watch on the feline.
Happy petting!
