How to Get a Cat to Stop Scratching Furniture in 10 Simple Ways

Have you ever had a beloved piece of furniture destroyed by your cat’s sharp claws? Do you often ask yourself how to get a cat to stop scratching furniture? We understand the pain.

Sometimes cats enter the kitchen and eat up the food and scratch the counters too. While there are ways to keep cats off kitchen counters, there are always ways to teach them to stop scratching.

With some patience and perseverance, you can get your furry friend to keep their claws away from the furniture and other household items.

In this article, we’ll look at how to get a cat to stop scratching furniture, so you can save those precious pieces of furniture for years to come. Ready? Let’s begin!

Why is my cat scratching the furniture so much?

Cats are natural scratch enthusiasts, and they’ll often use your couch as their own personal nail salon if given half a chance.

But why do cats scratch in the first place? Here are five reasons that might explain this common cat behavior:

1. Cats tend to mark their territory by scratching surfaces – especially those with an interesting scent or texture. This is a way for them to let others know where they’ve been and what’s theirs. 2. Secondly, scratching helps keep claws healthy and sharp by removing old nails and stimulating new growth.

3. It can be part of playtime for cats – it mimics the motions of hunting and gives them a chance to really stretch out their bodies.

4. Cats may scratch furniture as a way of getting attention – they know that it’s something you don’t want them to do and they use it as leverage against you.

5. Scratching can be a form of stress relief for cats – much like humans going off to have a good scream in the shower.

Understanding why your cat is scratching the furniture can help you come up with strategies on how to redirect their behavior and keep your home looking pristine.

How to get a cat to stop scratching furniture

Do you find yourself constantly having to repair or replace furniture due to your beloved feline friend’s scratching tendencies?

Don’t worry, with a few simple tips and tricks, you can keep your cat from scratching around the house. Here are 10 ways to get your cat to stop scratching furniture: 

1. Get Your Cat a Scratching Post:

If your cat has already been scratching the furniture, provide them with an alternative to sharpen their claws on.

Look for a sturdy post that’s tall enough for your kitty to stretch out their body and have fun while they scratch away!

2. Make Sure the Scratching Posts are Up to Par:

Place scratching posts in areas where your cat likes to hang around, such as near windows or near their bed. Also, make sure these posts are well made by using sisal rope or carpeting which will give them more incentive to use it instead of the furniture!

3. Provide Plenty of Entertainment:

Boredom is one of the main reasons why cats scratch furniture. Give them plenty of toys and activities to keep them entertained and away from the furniture.

4. Try using nail caps:

These soft plastic caps can be glued to your cat’s claws and will help prevent any damage that might occur when scratching.

5. Trim Their Nails Regularly:

This is an important step that should be done no less than once every two weeks.

You can also try covering the edges of your furniture with double-sided tape which will deter their scratching habits temporarily until you can trim their nails properly again!

You must however not declaw your cats as it may turn harmful for them.

6. Use vinyl guards or other protective measures:

Placing vinyl guards or plastic caps on the edges of furniture can help to protect them from your cat’s claws. They may not look great, but they’ll keep the furniture safe and sound!

7. Use Catnip:

Sprinkle catnip on the scratching post to encourage your kitty to go there instead of the furniture.

8. Exercise Your Cat:

Cats get bored easily so make sure to give them plenty of exercise by playing games such as hide-and-seek and laser pointers!

9. Place Scented Damp Towels On Furniture:

Cats don’t like to be in areas that have smells they find unpleasant, try using scented damp towels on your furniture so it isn’t an appealing place for them to scratch.

10. Stay Calm:

No matter how frustrated you get, remember to stay calm when dealing with your cat. Yelling or punishing them won’t help fix the problem and may make it worse.

Be consistent in providing alternate scratching spots for your kitty, reward them for good behavior, and be patient!

With just a little bit of effort, you can keep your furniture looking great while keeping your furry friend happy.

Getting your cat to stop scratching furniture doesn’t have to be a tedious process if you know what steps to take!

Do cats ever stop scratching furniture?

It can be a difficult habit to break, but cats scratching furniture can be managed. The key is understanding why they do it in the first place.

Cats scratch because it helps them keep their claws sharp and healthy; they use this activity to mark territory with scent glands in their paws; and lastly, they do it out of pure instinctive pleasure!

So while cats won’t ever completely stop scratching, there are steps you can take to redirect their behavior away from your furnishings.

You’ll need to provide them with alternate surfaces such as cat trees and scratching posts that allow them to satisfy their urge without damaging your furniture.

Additionally, trimming your cat’s nails regularly will help keep the problem from getting too out of hand!

In other words, cats won’t ever stop scratching altogether, but you can manage their behavior and train them to scratch in appropriate places. It just takes a little bit of patience and understanding!

Conclusion

No one likes to see their furniture ruined by a naughty cat scratching it, but the good news is that this problem can be managed.

With just a little effort and understanding, you can get your kitty to stop wrecking the furniture! Provide alternate scratching surfaces such as cat trees or posts and trim their nails regularly.

And of course, don’t forget about giving them plenty of toys and activities to keep them entertained while they are away from the furniture!

With these tips in mind, you should have no trouble getting your cat’s scratchy habits under control!

Now that you know how to get a cat to stop scratching furniture, be sure to put your new-found knowledge into practice!