How To Get A Cat To Stop Scratching Couches

Cats are natural scratchers. They do it to mark their territory, to stretch their muscles, and to keep their claws healthy. However, if your cat is scratching your furniture, it can be a frustrating problem. There are a few things you can do to stop your cat from scratching your couches, including providing them with an appropriate scratching post, deterring them from scratching the furniture, and making the furniture less appealing to scratch.

Providing An Appropriate Scratching Post

The first step to stopping your cat from scratching your furniture is to provide them with an appropriate scratching post. Scratching posts should be tall enough for your cat to be able to stretch their entire body, and they should be made of a material that is appealing to scratch, such as sisal or cardboard. You should place the scratching post in a location where your cat will be likely to use it, such as in the living room or near their favorite sleeping spot.

Deterrence

If your cat is still scratching your furniture, you can try deterring them from doing so. You can do this by using a deterrent spray, such as Bitter Apple, on the furniture. You can also try placing double-sided tape on the furniture, which your cat will find unpleasant to walk on. Finally, you can try using a motion-activated deterrent, such as the Ssscat Cat Spray, which will emit a loud noise when your cat approaches the furniture.

Making The Furniture Less Appealing To Scratch

If your cat is still scratching your furniture, you can try making the furniture less appealing to scratch. You can do this by covering the furniture with a material that your cat finds unappealing, such as plastic or foil. You can also try using a scratching deterrent spray, such as Feliway, on the furniture. Finally, you can try placing a piece of cardboard or another material that your cat can scratch on over the furniture.

Other Tips

In addition to the methods described above, there are a few other things you can do to stop your cat from scratching your furniture. These include:

Make sure your cat has plenty of other things to scratch, such as toys and scratching posts.
Play with your cat regularly to provide them with exercise and mental stimulation.
Trim your cat's claws regularly.
If all else fails, you can consult with a veterinarian or animal behaviorist for additional advice.