How do I get my darn cats to stop scratching the couch?
jar823
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How do I get my darn cats to stop scratching the couch?
The couch is only 6 months old, and they are beginning to destroy the corners! At first I didn't notice it, but now I am seeing pulls in it, and it's been getting really bad! They NEVER do it when we are home, so I can't discipline them. How do I get them to stop? We paid $1500 for this darn couch!
goingtobemrs
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Re: How do I get my darn cats to stop scratching the couch?
That reminded me I needed to purchase something for that and I just did!
Re: How do I get my darn cats to stop scratching the couch?
Spray them with water - get a spray bottle and put the spray on so it comes out really sharp. Do it every single time they scratch....it worked with my 2 cats, they hardly scratch anymore.....maybe once every 2 months. And you can get a scratching post for them too.
coxmandi
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Re: How do I get my darn cats to stop scratching the couch?
Water bottles/squirt guns don't work all that well, because if you're not there when they are scratching to spay them, nothing happens.
Try a big sturdy scratch post. Most of the cheap ones are too small. The reason they scratch couches and furniture is because it doesn't give or move when they scratch it. Burlap or sisal material works better than carpet, because they can dig their claws in. Also make sure their nails are trimmed regularly.
Try putting Soft Paws on them. They cover their nails so they don't catch and rip fabrics. You can put them on yourself or I know they do it at vet offices or some Petsmart type places for a fee. Soft Paws link
jar823
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Re: How do I get my darn cats to stop scratching the couch?
Yeah, the waterbottle won't work, because we don't see them doing it. We have a small apartment, so there isn't much room for a huge scratching post. They have two small ones. One in the living room, and one in the bedroom. I see them using them all the time!
Those strips you put on the couch, do they really work? Will it be okay on sueded microfiber?
Jola
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Re: How do I get my darn cats to stop scratching the couch?
There is also a spray that you spray onto furniture and the cats don't like it. It should be at Petco as well.
My friend is one of the regional managers in the city for Petco and she told me about the spray.
goingtobemrs
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Re: How do I get my darn cats to stop scratching the couch?
Posted by jar823
Yeah, the waterbottle won't work, because we don't see them doing it. We have a small apartment, so there isn't much room for a huge scratching post. They have two small ones. One in the living room, and one in the bedroom. I see them using them all the time!
Those strips you put on the couch, do they really work? Will it be okay on sueded microfiber?
I will let you know when I get them - I just ordered them today. One of my two cats - we have a HUGE scratching post that they use all the time - well he used that, then proceeds to come to the corner of the couch. The other one like scratching wood so he stays off the couch. The runt, he just doesn't get it, we move him away from the couch and he just lies down like, 'what' with an innocent face. The water bottle worked for the kitchen table, but not the couch, because if you are not there, they do as they please.
bedda26
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Re: How do I get my darn cats to stop scratching the couch?
I’ve heard of the spraying thing too…
I am not a big animal person, but we have a cat. DH has had her for nine years. I was so nervous when we moved into our apt. Because when they lived alone this cat climbed all over the place, kitchen counters, in the sink, on his bed, and the couch…I was all panicked that this cat would be all over the place in our brand new apt. . but luckily she hasn’t done anything. She used to meow and scratch at our bedroom door cuz she is not allowed in there, DH would get up, feed her cheese (she likes it…Lol) and then ½ hour later she would be back. Then we started ignoring her when she would continue scratching at our door until she got the message and now she does not do that anymore. Once in a blue moon she does it but for good reasons, like when her bowl is empty. It’s actually cute when she does that cuz she’ll meow and then when DH opens the door she scurries off to the front of the bathroom (that’s where her bowl is) and meows to DH and he sees that her dish is empty…LOL and luckily she has not once climbed on any furniture. I used to have covers on the couch cuz I didn’t trust her, especially while we are gone during the day but now I took them off…I trust her now…even when we are home and DH sits on the couch she will come into the living room and sit on the floor by his feet. At their old place she would have been on the couch next to him. But she stays on the floor and that’s how I can trust her.
jar823
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Re: How do I get my darn cats to stop scratching the couch?
WOW! that's one great cat you have there!
bedda26
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Re: How do I get my darn cats to stop scratching the couch?
Thanks! I have to say I am pretty lucky. She's even been tortured by my 2 year old godson and this kid has pulled her ears, tried to plug a cord into her...LOL, and pulled her by her paw while she was still in her bed, dragging her all around the kitchen. She never raised a paw at him, and never has at any kids that have come over.
She actually used to hide under our dinning from table my godson...LOL...not anymore cuz he is more gentle now.
MrsTC
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Re: How do I get my darn cats to stop scratching the couch?
The water bottle worked for me....I don't think its fair to generalize and say 'no it won't'. I'm living proof that it did! And I am not home all the time to watch them.
jar823
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Re: How do I get my darn cats to stop scratching the couch?
sorry, I did not mean to offend anyone by saying it wouldn't work . . . . . . . . How can I train the with a spray bottle, if they don't do it whent I am around????? I am not going to spray them for no reason.
AliKing
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Re: How do I get my darn cats to stop scratching the couch?
I have two cats and convinced there is no way to stop them from scratching... Its what they love to do. We put blankets on the corners of our couches and just take them off when we have company. I also make sure to clip their nails regularly so when they do find a spot to scratch, they dont do much damage at all... Good luck!
regi
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Re: How do I get my darn cats to stop scratching the couch?
Try double stick tape. The cats will not like getting ;'stuck' and should stop.
coxmandi
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Re: How do I get my darn cats to stop scratching the couch?
Posted by regi
Try double stick tape. The cats will not like getting ;'stuck' and should stop.
Try this, it works for most cats. Execpt if you have my cat who LOVES sticky stuff. We can't leave duct tape or packing tape our because he loves eating it, walking on it, etc.
bxgell2
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Re: How do I get my darn cats to stop scratching the couch?
Do you have a scratch pad for your cat? My cat used to DESTROY my furniture and walls so I did some research online and found out about these cardboard scratch pads that work like miracles! Scratching poles never work, but if you go to the petstore, you should be able to find a scratch PAD that looks like brown cardboard. Sprinkle some catnip on it and MAKE sure you put in a place that's the center of attention. Don't stick in a room that isn't used much - it has to be where there's a lot of traffic. And don't replace it once the cat has worn it down. Once I bought this my cat totally stopped scratching the furniture and walls. I suggested it to a friend who was having problems with her kitten and it worked like magic with hers as well!
jar823
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Re: How do I get my darn cats to stop scratching the couch?
Thanks for the info. I will try just about anything! I've seen the scratch pads in the stores, I will have to pick one up, along with the sticky tape.
goingtobemrs
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Re: How do I get my darn cats to stop scratching the couch?
Posted by tp329
That reminded me I needed to purchase something for that and I just did!
Ok, so I bought these and they suck. They don't stay on the couch, but I safety pinned them on and they should work pretty good. You can't see them unless you are closeup on the couch. No good for leather though!
wintergirl06
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Re: How do I get my darn cats to stop scratching the couch?
I second the Soft Paws. My cat really doesn't mind them, although I only put them on her when I'm taking her to my mom's house (she scratches the furniture if I desert her to go on vacation). They stay on for weeks, and are pretty inexpensive. Perhaps once the couch has been around for a while, you won't need them anymore.
