How To Train A Cat To Not Scratch Furniture
Introduction
Cats are wonderful creatures, but they can also be a little destructive. If you find that your cat is scrawling its way through the couch, the desk or even your bed—or if you’d just like to prevent this behavior before it starts—we’ve got some tips on how to stop a cat from scratching furniture. Please note that these methods aren’t intended for cats who are displaying aggression or anxiousness, nor for kittens under four months of age; in those cases, we recommend consulting with a veterinarian or an animal behaviorist.
Bribe the cat and make a habit of it.
You can also bribe your cat with treats. This is a common technique for training animals, but it has its limitations. You’ll have to find a treat that your cat likes and get in the habit of using it as a reward for good behavior when you train them not to scratch furniture. Make this a regular thing that you do every day and make sure that the treat is part of their daily routine so they will expect it after the training session ends.
If the training sessions go well, increase the amount of treats being given out over time until they’re getting three or four per session instead of just one or two at first (when they’re still getting used to being trained). Again: consistency matters here—don’t go off half-cocked on this one! Be patient and gentle with your cat when training them not to scratch furniture; remember: cats are fragile creatures who don’t like change very much
Encourage her to scratch somewhere else.
Now that you have a scratching post for your cat, the next step is to make sure she uses it. The best way to do this is by making sure the scratching post is tall enough, sturdy enough and in a place where your cat can reach it. This will make it easier for her to use the post instead of your furniture and save you money on replacing them.
Additionally, if you want to encourage her to use her scratching post over others she may have access too (like curtains), you should consider putting something else on top of them like some toys or treats so that when she does scratch there she knows there are rewards waiting for her at the end!
Keep your furniture safe.
The first thing you will need to do is keep your furniture safe from scratches. If you have a sofa or chair that has been scratched, cover it with blankets or a sheet so that the cat cannot use those surfaces as scratching posts. You may also want to consider buying a scratch post so that they have an appropriate place for their claws. Scratching posts are great because they give cats what they want—a good place to stretch their backs and dig their claws into something sturdy—without causing damage or leaving behind unpleasant smells like urine stains would do on your couch cushions!
If you can’t afford professional training classes (or just don’t want them), there are still ways of teaching your kitten how not to scratch carpets and chairs. Some cats can be trained by themselves through positive reinforcement; others need some help learning how not bitches about it when she’s told off for doing something wrong.”
Redirect their behavior when you recognize it.
- When you see your cat scratching, say “no” and redirect their behavior by giving them a toy instead.
- If you catch the cat in the act of scratching the furniture, give a firm “No!” and firmly rub his nose in his mess to show him that he’s done something wrong. This will help reinforce the idea that scratching isn’t allowed and make it easier for him to understand what’s expected of him in the future.
- Use your hands as well as your voice: always praise good behavior (e.g., if he stops scratching when asked), but don’t forget to reward it with treats or affection too! You could even consider using an app like Pettson’s Activity Book which will reward your pet with treats based on how many times they do something correctly within a certain period of time — this way both human(s) and animal can get involved in rewarding positive behavior!
Make scratching the couch unappealing.
If you’re faced with a cat who scratches your furniture, you can try a few different methods to discourage the behavior. For example, there are citrus sprays and motion activated water sprayers that will make the couch or table unappealing for the cat to scratch. You can also buy motion activated air sprayers for furniture and curtains. These devices will not only deter your cat from scratching but also protect your furniture from damage by giving off an unpleasant smell when they touch it.
Trim the nails.
Trim the nails.
If your cat has long nails, you may want to consider trimming them regularly. This will help prevent any scratching damage to furniture or people that your cat might cause in the future. There are several ways to do this:
- You can use a nail clipper and trim his/her nails on your own when they are calm, relaxed, and relaxed while they sleep (not agitated). Use caution and make sure that the clippers have rounded edges so as not to hurt the cat’s paws and toes.
- If you’re experienced with clipping human fingernails, then you should be able to do this for yourself and your kitty! Just make sure that if it gets too difficult for you, call someone else for help!
Consider nail caps as a last resort.
You can also try using a product called nail caps. These are plastic nails that you glue over your cat’s real nails to prevent them from scratching furniture. The problem with these is that they can be difficult to apply and cats may not like having something glued to their paw. They also don’t last forever, so you will have to trim your cat’s nails every two weeks or so when using this method. To get started, follow these steps:
- Trim your cat’s claws first
- Apply the claw cap by pushing it down over the top of each claw until it makes contact with all four pads on his paw (this is important!)
- Hold him for about 15 minutes while he calms down enough for you both to finish applying all caps
Conclusion
With these six tips, you should be able to prevent your cat from scratching the furniture, but if all else fails, there’s always one more thing you can try. You can buy nail caps for your cat if neither of you want to risk the couch or your skin! Nail caps are little sheaths that fit over your cat’s claws and prevent her from scratching anything at all—including herself! They come in lots of different colors and styles and can be a fun way to help your cat lead a less destructive lifestyle. If nothing else works, this is definitely something to look into with your vet’s approval.