As a cat parent, you love to see your cats doing their quirky stuff. However, you also love your furniture. What happens when two of your favorite things clash together? You will definitely feel helpless and frustrated when you watch your cat digging their claws into your favorite furniture.
At times, you may find yourself questioning whether bringing a cat into your home means your home has to suffer. The answer to this question is no. Your two favorite things i.e. your cat and your favorite furniture can live in peace side by side with few changes and restrictions. So, let’s find out what those changes are and how cat scratching can be stopped.
Why Cat Scratches?
Marking Territory
Cats have scent glands located in their paws that release pheromones on scratching. So, when your cat scratches, it is not just out of instinctive behavior but also to mark their territory. The chemical pheromones left behind by cat scratching leave scent marks to establish their boundaries by signaling that the space is already occupied. Moreover, these scratches are also used as a mode of communication. Likewise, the visible mark left behind by cat scratching also shows their presence and dominance over that place.
Instinctive Behavior
Cats have a natural instinct to scratch that goes back to their wild ancestors. In the wild, this behavior played a crucial role in their survival. Even though our furry friends are often domesticated now, they still hold onto this instinct.
Muscle Stretching
Cat scratching is an essential activity for cats that serves multiple purposes beyond marking territory. It acts as a natural form of physical stimulation, allowing your cats to stretch their muscles and maintain flexibility. Cat scratching engages their back, shoulders, paws, and limbs. When your cat scratches, they release the tension build up in their joints and other body parts. Scratching will not just maintain agility but also promote the overall well-being of your cat and prevent obesity.
Claw Maintenance
One of the main purposes of cat scratching is claw maintenance. Scratching helps to shed the outer layer of old claws and expose their new, sharp nails. This will help your cat with hunting, climbing, and self-defense.
Stress Coping Mechanism
When your cat suffers from stress and anxiety, they will use scratching as a coping mechanism. This anxiety may be induced due to changes in the environment, unfamiliar people, or other triggering activities. So, when your cat faces such stressful situations, they channel scratching
for pent-up energy and emotional expression to feel secure and calm themselves down.
Boredom
Cats usually have a lot of energy that needs to be toned down from physical and mental stimulation. However, when your cats are not allowed to burn off their energy in a proper manner, they will experience boredom leading them to engage in destructive activities like scratching furniture.
Read More: Why Do Cats Meow? Understanding the Reasons Behind Your Feline’s Vocalization
How to Stop Your Cats From Scratching
Giving Them Alternative Scratching Post Material
Cat scratching is an instinctual behavior, so stopping them from scratching is not a good thing to do. Instead of completely trying to stop your cat from scratching, you can redirect their scratching from furniture to other materials.
There are various scratching posts in the market that you can choose from. Choosing a suitable scratching post is a hit-and-trial method. You need to experiment with different materials like sisal, cardboard, and carpeted posts to find out their preference.
The next step after finding suitable material is to find the perfect spot to place the scratching post. You have to place scratching posts in such areas where household members spend most time or where your cat spends most of their time. It can be in the TV room, near the kitchen or bedroom. Make sure you make the post accessible rather than keeping in places out of their reach. Likewise, you can put the scratching post near the furniture so that you can redirect their behavior.
Lastly, you should teach your furry baby to use a scratching post. It will take time for your cat to redirect their behavior to the scratching post. However, with the right technique, you can teach them easily. Firstly, when you see your cat scratching on furniture, you can try to redirect your cat by luring them treats, catnip, or toys to the post. After incorporating proper playtime around scratching pots, your cat will build positive associations which will later redirect their behavior.
Protecting Your Furniture
Your cat loves scratching, so you cannot stop them from scratching but you are totally able to protect your furniture. Since cats generally don’t like sticky stuff, you can use double-sided tape on the furniture. Likewise, you can find washable slipcovers on your couch and sofas. Moreover, you can apply plastic or vinyl protectors as they act as a barrier between the cat’s claws and the surface of your furniture.
You can apply citrus or vinegar on your furniture to discourage them from scratching. There are various cat repellant sprays in the market you can use if you don’t want to use natural remedies. Usually, your cat does not like the smell of these sprays,
Nail Care
Nail Care is an essential step for preventing your acts from scratching furniture. Initially, your cat will resist cutting nails however as they get used to the routine, they will get habituated to it. You can trim the nails so that they will be blunt and cannot scratch furniture properly. You can use specific types of nail clippers to trim the nail. Trimming your cat’s claws every 1-2 weeks can significantly reduce the impact of scratching while keeping their nails healthy.
While cutting the nail, you can see the pink area on the nail known as quick. This quick will help with blood supply and nerve endings. Hence, you should not cut quick as you can cause pain and bleeding to your fur baby.
Addressing Boredom
Boredom is one of the major causes of inviting cats to scratch furniture. So, you should provide enough physical and mental stimulation to your cat. You can give them interactive toys, puzzle feeders, and toys for mental stimulation. Likewise, you can make climbing structures, obstacle courses, etc for physical stimulation of your cat.
Understanding Stress and Anxiety
Stress and anxiety are common triggers for excessive scratching, and addressing these factors can help reduce the unwanted behavior of cat scratching. Hence, creating a stress-free environment for your cat is essential. If recent changes in the household, such as a new pet, moving to a new home, or changes in routine, are causing stress, you should introduce adjustments gradually and provide your cat with a safe, quiet space.
Pheromone diffusers like Feliway can help create a calming atmosphere. Likewise, establishing a consistent routine with regular feeding and playtime can also contribute to a sense of security, reducing stress-induced scratching.
Read More; How to Know If Your Cats Love You: Key Signs
Conclusion
You can protect your furniture and maintain the overall well-being of your cat at the same time. Even though cat scratching is a natural behavior, you do not need to sacrifice your favorite furniture if you use the right technique and useful tips.
With proper pet training, furniture protection methods, and alternative scratching options, you can guide your cat toward appropriate scratching habits. You can make your house cat-friendly and ensure the safety of your furniture through patience and positive reinforcement. So, are you ready to take effective steps in preventing your cat from scratching your furniture while ensuring their natural instincts are satisfied?
If you like this training blog, then come revisit us for more meaningful information about your fur babies. Stay tuned with Littlefurr.
FAQs
- Can I declaw my cat’s nails?
Declawing is a painful procedure. So if you want to discourage your cat from scratching furniture, you can trim their nails instead of declawing them.
- Can stress and anxiety cause my cat to scratch more?
Yes absolutely. Your cat may scratch excessively to cope with the anxiety and soothe themselves. So, you will need to find out the trigger root of such anxiety. You have to provide a calm environment and properly reassure your cat.
- What material is best for scratching posts?
Every cat has a different preference for the material of the scratching post. You can use different textures of material like wood, cardboard, sisal, etc as per your cat’s preference.
- How can I stop my cat from scratching furniture immediately?
If you want to stop your cat from scratching furniture immediately then you can use furniture protectors, double-sided tapes, or cat deterrent sprays. The Stickiness of tapes and the smell of sprays discourage cats from scratching.
- Why does my cat prefer scratching on furniture rather than scratching posts?
Your cat may be habituated to scratching furniture. So redirecting to the scratching post may take time. Likewise, they probably do not like the texture and material of the scratching post, so instead, they scratch on the furniture.
- Can I train my older cat to use a scratching post?
Yes, you can train your older cat to use a scratching post by purchasing the material they prefer. Then, you can place the post where your cat spends its time and lastly, you can train them to use the scratching post.
No comment yet, add your voice below!