How to Stop a Cat from Clawing Furniture
Appreciate the purpose of scratching or clawing., Be patient and be understanding., Purchase at least one scratching post (or other scratching apparatus) for your cat., Locate scratching posts strategically., Train your cat to use the scratching...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Appreciate the purpose of scratching or clawing.
A cat doesn't scratch to give you grief.
A cat scratches because it's a form of exercise for the cat's muscles from the claws right through to the legs, shoulders, and down the back.In addition, scratching also sharpens the cat's claws and cleans the exterior sheath.
Cats also scratch to scent-mark territorial areas with their paws, which have scent glands usually indistinguishable to humans, but very distinct to other cats, dogs, and many other pets and animals. -
Step 2: Be patient and be understanding.
You love your cat and the precious bond both of you share.
Cats know when you care and will reciprocate.
They will do their best to please their human companions, provided they know they're supported and praised.
Over time, with repeated loving practice, your cat should become used to leaving the furniture alone and using alternatives for their scratching. , A scratching post is the answer to your scratching problem, but it will take time to encourage your cat to use it.
When purchasing the scratching post, there are some things to consider initially.
Look for one that is at least as tall as your cat when he/she stands on his/her hind legs.
Ensure that it is sturdy and cannot wobble when pressure is applied to it by your cat.
Make sure that the scratching post isn't heavy and tall, or it may fall on your cat.
Scratching boards and posts come in different sizes and uses.
Some are flat on the floor and some are raised.
Some are made of hemp.
Try different types.
It is better to have too many around, than not enough.
Some cats prefer to scratch on a horizontal surface like the carpet.
Orientate the scratch post horizontally or vertically to match their preference and they will be more likely to use it.
There are cardboard, sisal, and carpet based options for horizontal surfaced scratching.
Whatever you choose, avoid anything fluffy.
A cat's scratching post must be like tree bark (their natural scratching element), rough and coarse.Posts with sisal fiber rope wound around them are best, and the scratchier it is, the less inviting your heirloom needlework pieces will seem. , Figure out which pieces of furniture the cat has clawed and their locations.
Make sure the scratching apparatus is prominently featured in the room and next to any furniture the cat seems to prefer scratching.
If you have just gotten a cat, place the post where it might be likely that a new cat would try to scratch.
If the cat is marking and scratching in multiple areas, create “good” scratching opportunities in each of those areas.
It's a really good idea to have more than one scratching post, especially if you have upstairs and downstairs areas, your house is large, or you have more than one cat.
This will lessen the probability that your cat will resort to furniture in other rooms without scratching posts.
If your cat is always scratching the chair you sit in most, locate a scratching post near it.
You could also leave a piece of your laundry on the top of the scratching post for a while, or use its top tray as a drop spot for personal items, so that your cat sees it as part of your territorial marker, like your favorite chair.
This is especially relevant if your cat is extremely attached to one person in the household.
Putting the scratching post or cat tree in close contact with their favorite sofa or chair can make it even more enticing. , Condition your kitten or cat to use the scratching post and nothing else for scratching.
Encourage your cat to unleash his claws on the new scratching post by gently placing him in front of it.
At the same time, gently stroke him and wait for him to respond to the post in front of him.
If you want to make the post more inviting, rub catnip or spray catnip oil onto the post.Every time your cat uses the scratching post, offer it praise and give it a pat and a treat.Some suggest that you encourage your cat by gently placing his front paws onto the post and even moving the paws up and down on it, but warn that many cats hate being forced to do anything and this can have a very negative effect.Alternatively, you could even "show" your cat how to scratch using your own fingernails.
You can also dangle a toy over the scratching post so that it bangs against the post.
This should draw your cat's attention to the pole; In swiping at the toy, he or she may discover the joy of scratching the pole behind it.
Another method of conditioning your cat to like their scratching post is to withhold your greeting upon returning home until you reach the scratching post.
Stand at the post and scratch it with your nails, telling your cat how happy you are to see them.
When they come near the post and start clawing it, stop scratching it yourself and start stroking the cat while they scratches the post, all the while praising them for being such a good cat., Feel free to move the post around a bit if your cat is not paying attention to it.
Don't try to force the cat to like it as it is, instead personalize the post to your cat's likes.
For instance, if you notice your cat exhibiting nervousness or dislike of the scratching post, try tilting it onto its side.
This will make it smaller and less threatening while the cat gets used to it.Cats develop preferences for scratching surfaces or substrates.
Use the surface your cat prefers.
This may be sisal rope, carpeting, cardboard, or drapery fabric or something else entirely.
Transitioning your cat to a new scratching post or surface will be much more successful if you work with your cat’s tendencies, not against them. -
Step 3: Purchase at least one scratching post (or other scratching apparatus) for your cat.
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Step 4: Locate scratching posts strategically.
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Step 5: Train your cat to use the scratching post.
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Step 6: Adjust the position and type of the scratching post as needed.
Detailed Guide
A cat doesn't scratch to give you grief.
A cat scratches because it's a form of exercise for the cat's muscles from the claws right through to the legs, shoulders, and down the back.In addition, scratching also sharpens the cat's claws and cleans the exterior sheath.
Cats also scratch to scent-mark territorial areas with their paws, which have scent glands usually indistinguishable to humans, but very distinct to other cats, dogs, and many other pets and animals.
You love your cat and the precious bond both of you share.
Cats know when you care and will reciprocate.
They will do their best to please their human companions, provided they know they're supported and praised.
Over time, with repeated loving practice, your cat should become used to leaving the furniture alone and using alternatives for their scratching. , A scratching post is the answer to your scratching problem, but it will take time to encourage your cat to use it.
When purchasing the scratching post, there are some things to consider initially.
Look for one that is at least as tall as your cat when he/she stands on his/her hind legs.
Ensure that it is sturdy and cannot wobble when pressure is applied to it by your cat.
Make sure that the scratching post isn't heavy and tall, or it may fall on your cat.
Scratching boards and posts come in different sizes and uses.
Some are flat on the floor and some are raised.
Some are made of hemp.
Try different types.
It is better to have too many around, than not enough.
Some cats prefer to scratch on a horizontal surface like the carpet.
Orientate the scratch post horizontally or vertically to match their preference and they will be more likely to use it.
There are cardboard, sisal, and carpet based options for horizontal surfaced scratching.
Whatever you choose, avoid anything fluffy.
A cat's scratching post must be like tree bark (their natural scratching element), rough and coarse.Posts with sisal fiber rope wound around them are best, and the scratchier it is, the less inviting your heirloom needlework pieces will seem. , Figure out which pieces of furniture the cat has clawed and their locations.
Make sure the scratching apparatus is prominently featured in the room and next to any furniture the cat seems to prefer scratching.
If you have just gotten a cat, place the post where it might be likely that a new cat would try to scratch.
If the cat is marking and scratching in multiple areas, create “good” scratching opportunities in each of those areas.
It's a really good idea to have more than one scratching post, especially if you have upstairs and downstairs areas, your house is large, or you have more than one cat.
This will lessen the probability that your cat will resort to furniture in other rooms without scratching posts.
If your cat is always scratching the chair you sit in most, locate a scratching post near it.
You could also leave a piece of your laundry on the top of the scratching post for a while, or use its top tray as a drop spot for personal items, so that your cat sees it as part of your territorial marker, like your favorite chair.
This is especially relevant if your cat is extremely attached to one person in the household.
Putting the scratching post or cat tree in close contact with their favorite sofa or chair can make it even more enticing. , Condition your kitten or cat to use the scratching post and nothing else for scratching.
Encourage your cat to unleash his claws on the new scratching post by gently placing him in front of it.
At the same time, gently stroke him and wait for him to respond to the post in front of him.
If you want to make the post more inviting, rub catnip or spray catnip oil onto the post.Every time your cat uses the scratching post, offer it praise and give it a pat and a treat.Some suggest that you encourage your cat by gently placing his front paws onto the post and even moving the paws up and down on it, but warn that many cats hate being forced to do anything and this can have a very negative effect.Alternatively, you could even "show" your cat how to scratch using your own fingernails.
You can also dangle a toy over the scratching post so that it bangs against the post.
This should draw your cat's attention to the pole; In swiping at the toy, he or she may discover the joy of scratching the pole behind it.
Another method of conditioning your cat to like their scratching post is to withhold your greeting upon returning home until you reach the scratching post.
Stand at the post and scratch it with your nails, telling your cat how happy you are to see them.
When they come near the post and start clawing it, stop scratching it yourself and start stroking the cat while they scratches the post, all the while praising them for being such a good cat., Feel free to move the post around a bit if your cat is not paying attention to it.
Don't try to force the cat to like it as it is, instead personalize the post to your cat's likes.
For instance, if you notice your cat exhibiting nervousness or dislike of the scratching post, try tilting it onto its side.
This will make it smaller and less threatening while the cat gets used to it.Cats develop preferences for scratching surfaces or substrates.
Use the surface your cat prefers.
This may be sisal rope, carpeting, cardboard, or drapery fabric or something else entirely.
Transitioning your cat to a new scratching post or surface will be much more successful if you work with your cat’s tendencies, not against them.
About the Author
Betty Barnes
Experienced content creator specializing in hobbies guides and tutorials.
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