Does Your Cat Scratch The Furniture? Here’s How To Make It Stop

Having a cat at home is a really good experience. It keeps you company, it is easy to hold and always makes you smile when you need it most. However, there is a recurring problem that affects, in most cases, cats at a young age. If your cat scratches the furniture it can be a real problem, especially if your home is furnished with items of a certain value. However, this is not an irreversible behavior and there are tricks to solve the problem.

From a biological point of view, as you well know, scratching is a requirement of the animal and is part of its personality. Let’s see together a series of information and tips to make your cat stop scratching anything.

Why do cats scratch?

The key word that answers the question is: instinct. We are not just talking about simple fun. Cats usually scratch their surroundings, both in an external, wild environment, and in their new home habitat.

They scratch to remove the upper layers of the tissue from their nails. One way to keep them sharp and short at just the right point. Put simply, it’s like manicures  for humans.

At the same time it is a valid system for marking the territory, communicating with other felines. A scratched surface sends a clear signal to other cats: another specimen lives in this area and is ready to be respected (even with its nails …).

Finally, it is a good way to relieve anxiety and stress. By scratching a very rough surface, for example, the animal will be able to stretch and stretch, keeping joints and ligaments fit and in good health. Here we are with the key question: how to stop a cat from scratching the furniture in the house?

The cat scratches the furniture: 4 useful tips to avoid it

Scratcher

Cat scratcher, scratching post or scraper. Call it what you want, but aside from the funny name, it is an indispensable tool for anyone who has a cat in a home. They are simple but effective objects that will attract your pet’s attention. A small feline that does not have one will inevitably be led to other objects of fabric and wood, such as your beloved furniture.

There are many models, different in shape and colors. You can choose between the simpler ones, and cheaper, or others more complete, and fun, which perhaps include a small bed, which cats will turn into a nice hiding place.

Try to get a scratcher appropriate to the age and size of the animal, as well as the space available. Try to observe which surfaces he prefers to scratch, in order to buy a more suitable and right scratching post for your four-legged friend.

It will therefore be enough to prefer objects that are reminiscent of your furniture, in shape, color or fabric. A little trick that will trick the cat into scratching his new toy without any problems. For example, if you notice that he likes to scratch the feet of beds, chairs or armchairs, a good idea might be to get a cat scraper in the shape of a column.

Finally, if you really are undecided, take your cat with you to the pet shop. Leave it free near the scratchers, keeping an eye on it. You will see that in a short time he will choose the one he likes best. That’s it: problem solved!

Cover the furniture

It is obvious that it is practically impossible to cover and protect all the furniture in the house. However, if you notice that the cat exhibits compulsive behavior towards one of them, take some time to protect it with a sheet or other pieces of hard cloth, in the most critical points.

The goal is not to force the cat to look for another place to scratch. If anything, discourage him from using a certain surface which, now no longer smooth, will be less comfortable and pleasant for the animal. In a short time he will no longer frequent the furniture in question.

Use different scratchers

If you have a cat who is particularly active, at a young age or who shows a predilection for scratching, here is the solution. It will be enough to place, in different points of the house, several scratching posts. In this way the animal will be encouraged to play with it without having to move too much. In short, make it as easy as possible for him.

Avoid reproaches

We know perfectly well that it can be frustrating and angry to find that your favorite piece of furniture has received a good deal of scratches. But, among the advice we give you, one of the most important is never to scold your cat. As we saw at the beginning, it is the result of an instinctive attitude. And no animal has faults, in the face of the stimulus of its nature.

The result of punishment and shouting will only have negative connotations and the cat will feel fear, without understanding why. Simply say a sharp “No!” and immediately move it to the scratcher. In this way he will understand that the only place he can scratch is the scraper. In short, as you can see, there are various tricks to convince your feline friend to leave your poor furniture alone.

We close the article with a little prayer: please, avoid pulling your cat’s nails. It is a real impairment, a forced amputation: a cruel act.