Ah, cats. The furry bundles of joy that bring laughter, purrs, and...heavily scratched furniture?
Scratching is a natural behavior among our feline friends. They do it for many reasons, from sharpening their claws to marking territory. While they look adorable when they do it, they can leave your precious furniture looking sad with all the scratch marks. This brings us to the matter at hand. How can you stop your cat from scratching your furniture?
Why Do Cats Scratch Furniture?
Before diving into solutions, let's understand why cats scratch to begin with. The first thing you need to know is that cats scratching surfaces is more than a destructive urge, it's a perfectly normal cat behavior. It's their instinct.
Maintaining Claws
Cats scratch to maintain their claws, pretty much the same way we trim our nails. But unlike our nails, cats' claws come off in layers. By scratching, they shed the outer layer of their claws to reveal sharp, new ones underneath, keeping their claws healthy and functional.
Stretching and Playing
Scratching is a way for cats to stretch and flex their muscles, usually after they wake up. Or they just do it whenever they feel energetic and playful—they especially love to climb and then scratch.
Marking Territory
Think of cats scratching like cats putting up billboards. Cats have scent glands between the pads of their paws. As they scratch, their scent is deposited on the surface. The visual marks and the scent are a clear, territorial message to other cats, helping them feel secure in their environment.
Relieving Boredom
Maintaining claws, stretching, and marking territory is ingrained in feline behavior. Beyond this, boredom can also amplify cats' urge to scratch.
Cats are naturally curious and active creatures. If they lack mental and physical stimulation, they might resort to scratching furniture as a way to entertain themselves or release excess energy.
Sometimes, they might scratch on furniture to get your attention. This is particularly possible especially if your cats already have scratching poles and pads.
Keeping Your Cat from Scratching Furniture
Let's face it, cats love to scratch. We get it. While a few scratches here and there are okay, we also want to keep our furniture from total ruin. So, how can we protect our precious pieces while still letting our furry friends do their thing?
The key to stopping furniture carnage lies in offering an irresistible alternative—scratching posts.
Photo by Arina Krasnikova from Pexels
Place scratching posts in high-traffic areas like the living room or the hallway. Anywhere near their favorite napping spots is also good. As cats are creatures of habitat, put posts where they already like to scratch furniture.
Aside from strategically placing scratching posts, there are more tactics you can employ to further discourage your cat from preying on furniture:
Double-Sided Tape: Apply double-sided tape on targeted furniture areas. Cats dislike the feeling of sticky tape on their paws. Note: The regular one for crafts can be too sticky. Check out the cat tape specially designed for our feline pals instead.
Aluminum Foil: The crinkling sound of aluminum foil startles cats. Cover targeted areas loosely with foil.
Citrus Scent: Most cats dislike the scent of citrus. Use citrus-scented sprays on areas where you want to discourage them from scratching. Keep a spray bottle nearby so you can reapply as needed.
Other Options
Some people resort to claw caps, which are considered a better alternative to declawing, as the last resort when the redirecting approach doesn't work. If you want to explore this option, it's best to see a professional.
If redirecting your cat's attention doesn't help or you see any unusual signs in your cat's body language, it's best to consult a vet to identify potential underlying issues. Although cats naturally scratch, there is a distinction between normal and destructive scratching behaviors.
Choosing a Scratch Post
Double-sided sticky tape, aluminum foil, and citrus scents may work temporarily. But cats are clever creatures and may find a way around these solutions eventually. Instead, carefully observe their behavior and understand their needs to find a lasting solution.
But having scratching posts around can provide them with a fun distraction, so, those can stay permanently. Here are things to consider when choosing a scratch post:
Variety
Cats have preferences. So, it's better to provide them with multiple scratching posts with different textures and sizes. Some cats prefer vertical scratching posts while others prefer horizontal surfaces.
The usual sisal posts are popular because they mimic the feel of a tree bark. But there are more options out there, too, if you really want to mix things up. You can add cardboard scratchers, for example. Cats go crazy over the texture and love tearing them apart for fun. Plus, it's super easy to make your own using used cardboard boxes.
You can also dangle toys to pique your cat's interest and encourage play.
Stability
Cats put a lot of force into scratching. Choose a post with a wide and heavy base to prevent it from tipping over and causing potential injury. For taller posts, consider wall attachments for added stability.
Photo by Huy Phan from Pexels
Location
Placing scratching posts in high-traffic areas or near your cat's favorite spots can help prevent scratching on furniture. Also consider having multiple posts in your space, especially if you own more than one cat, to reduce competition among your feline friends.
Note: Cats love catnip. Sprinkling catnip on the scratch post attracts your cat to the area and helps train them to make that spot the go-to scratching zone.
Rewarding and Spending Time with Your Cat
When you see your cat scratching on a designated post, reward them with praise and treats. Doing this helps them associate that area with positive experiences and encourages them to use it again.
It's also important to spend time with your cat. This is not exactly a reward, although it may seem like it, but this is necessary. Playing with your cat gives them the attention they need (for cats, this may be fairly short) and allows them to release some pent-up energy. This also provides you with the perfect opportunity to learn their behavior.
***
Your furry friend may need time to adjust to the new change, from furniture to scratch post, so be patient. Consistency is also key. Staying consistent in providing them with scratching alternatives, along with positive reinforcement, will eventually help break your cat's habit of scratching on wood furniture.
Related Posts
- Cat-Friendly Plants for Your Feline Friends at Home
- Protect Furniture from Pets
- 7 Ways to Make Pets More Comfortable at Home
Featured image by cottonbro studio from Pexels