Tape to Stop Cats From Scratching Furniture
Furniture is ane of the nigh expensive items to occupy an interior space. Unfortunately, it'south as well a lovely (and common) place for your cat to scratch something to shreds.
Information technology's like shooting fish in a barrel to think that your cat is out to get yous when you notice scratch marks in your piece of furniture. Don't worry, your cat has a natural instinct to scratch. Assistance him by educating yourself about why this happens and by providing an alternative place to go his scratches out.
Why practice cats scratch furniture?
To remove outer layer of claws
One instinctual reason cats scratch objects is to trim their nails. When they scratch, if an outer layer of their claws are gear up to come out, running them through a nobby object volition catch the dead layer and accept it off for them.
To mark their territory
When cats scratch a surface, they evidently go out marks that all can meet. But, did you know this method leaves their own aroma behind besides? Cat's paws comprise special scent glands that put their territorial aroma on whatever they are scratching.
It's a byproduct of stretching
Cats stretch a lot. When they stretch, their claws come out. They don't have the forethought to go along their claws in just for your sake, and so to get their full stretch on, the claws come out automatically.
Tin I apply a deterrent spray?
It's not recommended to just use a scratching deterrent spray. This is because, when you are training any pet, the most effective method is to deter an undesirable beliefs while providing an alternative, desirable behavior at the same fourth dimension.
Just using a deterrent spray (or tape, or smash covers) is ineffective because the cat nonetheless needs to scratch, so he will just move on to something else to scratch. Sprays are specially assaulting to a cat's sensitive sense of aroma. When he comes into contact with the scent, he will cough and sneeze.
Declawing and why it'south non recommended
Declawing a cat is a pretty extreme measure to forbid the annoying scratching habit. We don't recommend declawing considering it can end up causing more than behavioral issues in your cat.
The declawing surgery is invasive, as information technology is essentially an amputation of the lower parts of a true cat's toes. It tin can be painful for the remainder of a cat's life, and then it might act out in other ways like through aggressive behavior or litter box problems. A declawed cat also loses a defence force mechanism toward any potential threat from the outside earth.
How to stop a cat from scratching furniture
Now that you take the basics of why a cat scratches your beautiful carpet or sofa, permit's dive into how y'all can discourage the behavior and redirect it towards an authorized scratching area.
1. Discourage scratching where information technology's not permitted
Figure out where and when your true cat scratches, deter immediately
You have to know where your true cat is scratching and be enlightened of when he is doing information technology. Trying to discourage unwanted scratching won't work unless he's in the centre of doing it. If you attempt to train your cat afterwards the fact, he won't sympathize what's going on.
Cats tend to scratch when they are excited, when they want to mark territory, or right after they wake upwardly, then pay attention to these specific times.
Sound
When yous catch them in the act, make a loud noise (like clapping your hands, slapping a wall, or something else that'due south alarming). Try non to yell at the cat or hit him as this volition probably cause him to be scared of you and avoid you.
Cover upward the area with something undesirable
Some cat owners cover the unwanted scratching spot with double-sided tape or can foil. This will likewise surprise your true cat plenty to jar him out of instinct and then you can successfully redirect his scratching efforts.
Redirect
At present that yous've got your cat'south attending with an unpleasant and startling sound (or with a cover of some sort), gently straight the cat towards the spot where it'due south okay for him to scratch. You won't want to aggressively choice him upwards or toss him. Be at-home and place him next to the "green calorie-free" scratching spot.
If he takes the allurement, praise your true cat for skillful behavior. This should help your true cat sympathize where it'south okay to scratch.
2. Give your true cat an culling
Like we mentioned earlier, in order to effectively go along your cat from scratching furniture, you need to provide something for them to scratch on (because they are not going to end). Here's a list of things to consider while deciding on an alternative scratching place.
Select a scratching material that cats similar
Cats similar to scratch knobby and textured things. Here are some examples:
- Things covered in thick, course rope
- Thick, knobby rug
- Tree trunks or logs
- Annihilation they can sink claws into
You could come up with a DIY solution or purchase an item fabricated for cat scratching, like a scratching mail or article of furniture protector.
Apply the Sofa-Scratcher Furniture Protector
Handmade in the Usa, this Sofa-Scratcher works by placing information technology straight on your cat'south favorite scratching identify on the couch. It protects your burrow and your true cat gets to keep scratching abroad. Everyone wins!
Put the "ok" scratching spot where they normally scratch
No affair what your culling scratching spot is, you need to take it in close proximity to where they usually scratch, and then they go the thought more than chop-chop. It will be easier to successfully train a cat that tin see the "ok to scratch" place about the "bad to scratch" place.
3. Keep those nails clipped
I way to prevent damage from scratching is by being proactive and keeping your cat's nails irksome yourself. Yes, you can clip a cat'southward nails! Here are some ways to make the process easier.
Start when they are kittens
When you outset the habit when they are small-scale, information technology won't exist as hard to get your cat to comply when they are bigger.
Clip every 2-three weeks
Just similar humans, a cat'southward claws can be clipped every 2 weeks or and then. Information technology might help yous remember to practice information technology correct afterward y'all prune your own!
Try to exercise information technology while they sleep
If you've ever cared for a newborn babe, they as well can be averse to having their nails clipped. A perfect time to clip their nails is when they are in a deep sleep and take no idea what's happening. The aforementioned goes for a cat. You tin take most of them clipped before they are stirred at all.
A relaxing setting is all-time
When your cat is awake, entice them with some relaxing petting earlier attempting to clip their nails. They will be less prone to freak out in this country.
But cut the tips
There'due south no need to clip a big function of their nails off. If you only cut the sharp tips off, this will give them enough nail to proceed scratching, only non the border to destroy your furniture.
Conclusion
Now yous have tools in your true cat-training arsenal to assistance your cat keep away from your expensive piece of furniture. We hope your grooming is successful and you and your true cat tin live in peace over again!
Featured Image: AllNikArt, Shutterstock
Contents Overview
- Why practice cats scratch furniture?
- To remove outer layer of claws
- To mark their territory
- It'due south a byproduct of stretching
- Can I apply a deterrent spray?
- Declawing and why it'southward non recommended
- How to end a cat from scratching furniture
- 1. Discourage scratching where it's not permitted
- Figure out where and when your true cat scratches, deter immediately
- Sound
- Cover up the expanse with something undesirable
- Redirect
- 2. Give your cat an alternative
- Select a scratching textile that cats similar
- Use the Sofa-Scratcher Furniture Protector
- Put the "ok" scratching spot where they usually scratch
- 3. Keep those nails clipped
- Start when they are kittens
- Clip every 2-3 weeks
- Try to do it while they sleep
- A relaxing setting is best
- Just cut the tips
- Conclusion
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