How To Train A Cat Not To Scratch Furniture

Introduction

If you’ve ever lived with a cat, chances are that you’ve wished at some point that you could teach her not to scratch the furniture. Cats scratch as a way to shed their outer claws, as well as for exercise and fun. Fortunately, there are numerous ways that you can train your cat not to scratch your furniture. To train a cat not to scratch furniture, start by providing multiple scratching posts in the areas of your home where she’s most likely to scratch. Then redirect your cat’s attention to the post if she starts scratching something she shouldn’t by making loud noises or clapping loudly near her so she runs over to the post instead. When training a cat not to scratch furniture, it’s also important to understand that clipping their claws isn’t an effective training method on its own and should only be used as part of a larger training strategy….

Provide scratching posts.

Scratching posts are one of the best ways to train your cat not to scratch furniture.

A scratching post is a narrow, tall piece of furniture made out of sisal or cardboard that cats like to scratch. They can be found at most pet stores or online and come in various heights, widths, and textures. Cats will instinctively want to scratch something like this because it feels good on their claws and paws, but most importantly it helps remove the dead outer layer from their claws so they don’t get stuck on things as much (and potentially hurt themselves).

When placing a scratching post in your home:

Make sure it’s tall enough for your cat! Most scratching posts start around two feet high and go up from there—you should place this where your cat spends most of its time, whether that be near its food bowl or where it sleeps at night. If one isn’t high enough for you or if you’re worried about your pet getting stuck on something else while using one then consider buying multiple ones instead! You can even add some extra height with things like blankets stacked onto existing surfaces too (we did this with our couch).
Make sure they’re sturdy enough too though–cats are pretty strong animals so make sure whatever type you buy has adequate support behind it before purchasing one out there off-the-shelf without first testing out its sturdiness yourself! This will save money down the road when replacing old items over time because we all know how expensive those things can get…

Redirect your cat’s attention to the scratching post.

If your cat scratches furniture or other items, try offering a toy or a laser pointer to redirect its attention.
A catnip toy is another option to help redirect the kitty’s attention away from unwanted scratching behavior and towards their scratching post instead.
For even more motivation, reward your cat with treats when it uses its designated scratch areas as well as using positive reinforcement (e.g., “good kitty” or “you’re such a good boy!”) during playtime before bedtime to encourage them to stay on task and keep doing what’s right!

Understand that claw clipping is not a substitute for proper training.

One of the most common misconceptions about claw clipping is that it will solve the problem permanently. This is not the case. While clipping your cat’s claws may stop them from scratching up your furniture and other household items, it won’t fix their behavioral issues entirely. Clipping your cat’s nails can be an effective short-term solution to managing their scratching habits, but it isn’t a long-term solution to training them not to scratch in undesirable areas.

If you’re looking for a permanent way to stop your kitty’s destructive behavior, then you’ll need to consider more than just claw clipping—it’s imperative that you also train him or her properly so they know where it’s okay (and not okay) for them to scratch!

Cover furniture with double-sided tape.

Finally, the most effective solution is to cover the area that you want your cat to avoid scratching with double-sided tape. The material will be uncomfortable to them, so they’ll avoid it in favor of other things. However, this is also the most difficult method because there’s no way for you to know how well it will work on your furniture until you try it out.

You can use any kind of tape that sticks well and won’t leave residue when removed (you don’t want an unhappy kitty). It doesn’t even have to be double-sided; regular tape works fine too if you don’t mind taking down the furniture every time someone wants a snack or a cup of tea (which could get old pretty fast). Just make sure it’s strong enough so as not to fall off when kitty jumps up into his favorite hammock spot!

Get some citrus spray.

If you’re looking for a DIY solution to deterring your cat from scratching furniture, citrus spray is one option. The smell of citrus is a natural deterrent for cats and can help prevent them from scratching the furniture in your home. Additionally, it’s easy to make at home with ingredients that are safe for both pets and kids.

Here’s how:

Take 1 part water and 1 part vegetable oil (or olive oil) in a spray bottle. Fill up the rest of the bottle with lemon juice or lime juice (or any other kind of fruit juice). Shake well before each use!

Make a homemade repellent at home.

On a small sample of your cat’s scratching furniture, try mixing some lemon juice and water (1/2 cup to 1 cup). Add a few drops of lavender oil and mix well. Spray on the furniture, let dry and reapply as needed.

If your cat scratches the same area frequently, it might be best to make another homemade repellent with rubbing alcohol or white vinegar mixed into water; this will prevent the previous mixture from wearing off too quickly. When you’re ready for a fresh coat of repellent, simply spray away!

Have patience and encourage your cat to use her scratching posts rather than directing her toward them, or they may become fearful of the posts instead of being intrigued by them.

Cats learn by observing and copying their owners. If you direct your cat toward a scratching post, she may become fearful of the post instead of being intrigued by it.

For example, if you demonstrate scratching on a scratching post in front of your cat, she will learn to do the same.

Cats also learn through positive reinforcement: rewarding good behavior with praise and food treats is an effective way for them to learn what they are supposed to do.

Conclusion

Cats can be stubborn, but with a little patience and understanding you can train your cat to scratch in the appropriate places. The best training will happen when they are young, but even adult cats can learn to use a scratching post. It will require some basic knowledge of cat behavior and the willingness to put in time and effort, but with some practice you should be able to train your cat not to scratch furniture.