How To Deter Your Cat From Furniture Scratching

Furniture scratching is something all cats have in common. It drives you crazy but your cat loves it. Why do cats scratch at all? Wild cats scratch to let their presence be known and to mark their territory. It is not only a visual sign but also an olfactory one. Pheromones are released from glands in the paws of a cat in the kneading process. So when a cat enters another cats territory, it not only sees evidence that the territory is taken, it can also smell it. Scratching also helps a cat get rid of old nails and is a form of physical therapy for the muscles in its paws.

Domestic cats scratch for the same reason wild cats do to mark their territory. There are many options you can choose that deter your cat from furniture scratching.

The most obvious solution would be to declaw your cat. But this is a very painful process for the cat and could result in complications later on. Veterinarians are divided on the topic of declawing. Some believe it is unnecessary while others think, it is okay.

Apart from declawing your cat, there are other ways to stop your cat from furniture scratching. One option would be to buy your cat a scratching post. The ideal scratching post should be about 3 feet high. It should be steady and made of the right material. Cats like to leave a mark. A scratching post that doesnt show any tears will not interest your cat for very long. Burlap scratching posts are quite popular with many cats. The position of the post is important as well. Start by putting the post in the place the cat normally likes to have a good scratch. Gradually you can move it to the corner of the room.

Another furniture scratching deterrent is to cover up pieces of furniture your cat loves to scratch, with heavy plastic. You could spray the area with chemical sprays like moth repellents or citrus based sprays. Pheromone based sprays also work to deter cats from furniture scratching.

Trim your cats nails. You have to be careful while doing this. Use nail trimmers meant specifically for cats. If you are not sure about how to do this, get it done by the vet or ask for a demonstration. If done wrong, you could cause your cat a lot of pain.

Nail covers are a great option for cats. These are plastic caps that you can glue onto your cats nails. So when your cat starts furniture scratching, there is no damage done and the nail covers stay on. It is recommended that you change the nail covers every month.