[mikecookout]

Hi All,

Which is the BEST way to stop cats from scratching the furniture to threads?
My three angels can't help themselves and I'm out of ideas and money for repairs to the couch.

[Steve Sample]

Hello,

Several approaches can solve your scratching problem. 1) Get a scratching post with rope and/or carpet and place it near a play area. There are products like cat nip or commercial items that will attrack the attention of your cats to the post. I have three post around my house (I have 6 cats). 2) This takes a little more effort but pays off in spades! Talk to someone like your vet and ask about how to trim nails. It is easy, but you have to learn how. Then go to a place such as "Thecatandkittenstore.com" (my favorite shopping place for my cats for they include free toys that never fail to attract my brood's attention) and buy "Soft Claws". They are soft plastic coverings for claws that are superglued to the nails and last three to four weeks. The available colors are fun to match to each cat, and not only will your furniture thank you, anyone playing with your cats will not ever get scratched as long as you keep up with replacements. I have used these for years and two of my cats will come to me to show me that they have lost a cap. They learn to love them and my alpha male will tap his claws as he walks on the wood floors. It a hoot! Good luck. Steve

[jerome]

In addition to what the previous poster said you can search on Google.
I did and you can have a look there: Cat Scratching Solutions

and there (excellent video): How To Stop Your Cat Scratching Your Furniture (Pets: Cat Behaviour & Training)

Good luck!

[mikecookout]

Hi Jerome,

I appreciate your suggestions, but those ideas just doesn't work with these cats
I have 2 scratch posts directly next to the couch, and they do use them too.

I also cut their claws weekly for the front, and every 2-3 weeks for the back paws. We also have all the toys and catnip etc.

I'm looking for something that will work short of covering the couch with thick-thick plastic that they can't dig into...

Something about this couch is special for them, and I can't keep up with the whole plastic nail thing.

Thanks,

MikeCookout

[mikecookout]

Hi Jerome,

I appreciate your suggestions, but those ideas just don't work with these cats
I have 2 scratch posts directly next to the couch, and they do use them too.

I also cut their claws weekly for the front, and every 2-3 weeks for the back paws. We also have all the toys and catnip etc.

I'm looking for something that will work short of covering the couch with thick-thick plastic that they can't dig into...

Something about this couch is special for them, and I can't keep up with the whole plastic nail thing.

Thanks,

MikeCookout

[jerome]

If it doesn't work then you should isolate your cats from it. Keep 'em in other rooms or put a kind of fence all around the couch, something like a park for babies.
Or buy 'em some socks or display mouse traps all around your couch, LOL!

[cat crazy]

I had the same problem with my ex feral cat. No matter what we did he kept scratching away. Then we started using this stuff we found at pets mart called NO SCRATCH! That plus trimming nails,using the post,and when absolutly nessesary squirting him with a little water(to distract him) he finally stopped and our furniture is now safe.

[rags]

Don't some people remove the claws? Or is that a myth like "devocalising" dogs?

rags

[triciakos]

Hi, I am new here but thought I would offer a safe way to end this. Cats hate the smell of citrus. So an easy solution is to take a spray bottle, add 1/4 c fresh squeezed lemon or orange juice, 1 tbls baking soda, and fill with warm water. Then spray the area that you do not want them to claw.

Another option is to use FeliAway (or another pheromone product) and spray on the couch. Cats often tread to mark their territory - which is what the pheromones will do. So if you choose this method, be certain that you avoid spraying the scratching post.

HTH,
Tricia.