Buy a Cat Scratching Post to Stop Your Cat Scratching the Furniture

1. To keep their claws healthy. That helps to remove the dead outer shell of the nail, keeping the nail healthy and sharp.
2. Lying down allows cats to stretch, which is necessary to strengthen their upper body. Stretching will enable them to exercise their muscles, and a cat scratching post can help a lot here.
3. To mark the territory. It allows cats to mark their territory visually. Their paws contain scent glands that release odors when they scratch things.

Go and Buy Yourself a Cat Pole

One more reason for scratching is worth mentioning: to feel good. And yes, a cat pole, for this matter, should be considered. Not only does scratching feel suitable for cats, but it also relieves their stress. That means that when a cat scratches things, it is less likely to develop other unwanted behaviors. Now that you know why cats need to scratch, you must learn what not to do before trying any method. Contrary to popular belief, cats are not malicious animals. That means that if a cat scratches your chair, it doesn’t do it to spite you.

No, they do not; the cat scratches only for the previously mentioned reasons. It is expected to lose patience, especially if your expensive sofa has just been destroyed. However, punishing the cat will not solve the problem. Instead, the punishment will lead to even worse problems down the road. First, it is essential not to yell or physically punish your cat if it scratches something “forbidden.” Not only is scolding or hitting completely ineffective but either will make the cat fear you. Yelling and kicking will also cause stress and anxiety in the cat, which can lead to additional unwanted behaviors.

Besides, a cat would never understand the reason for these punishments. Second, do not remove your cat’s claws to prevent or resolve destructive scratching. Despite the name, declawing is much more than pulling a cat’s claws. Each toe must be amputated to ensure that the claws do not grow back, which is 1/3 of a cat’s paws. That is equivalent to cutting off a person’s fingers at the first phalanx. This procedure is considered very inhumane as it causes unnecessary pain and suffering. Ironically, many declawed cats develop more severe behavioral problems than scratching. So why not buy a cat scratching post?

Methods to Stop Your Cat from Scratching Furniture

Now, you must be thinking that if you can’t punish them and clawing is inhumane, there are no other ways to save your couch from destruction, right? The trick is to provide the cat with an alternative surface that is more attractive than the surface you are trying to protect. This alternative surface must also be strategically placed. With that in mind, buy a cat pole. This method is a win-win situation, allowing the cat to satisfy its need to scratch while saving the forbidden surface. In addition, it is easy to implement.

The key to this method is placing the cat scratching post in front of the things you want to protect. Remember that if your cat isn’t immediately interested in it, you can entice them with treats. Another option is to sprinkle catnip or sprinkle jasmine on it, which cats love. Because of the variety of options, it is recommended that you get various posts to find out which type your cat prefers. If you look around, you can easily find cheap ones. Remember the material it is made of, and the post type is also essential.

Sprays with Citrus Flavors

Another method that helped many people a lot was using a citrus-flavored spray. All you have to do is spray the surface of the material you want to protect. These sprays work because cats have a natural aversion to citrus smells. To maintain the effect, reapply as needed. Because citrus-scented sprays are natural cat deterrents, you must never spray the product directly on your cat. These products are only intended to be sprayed on material surfaces. If you spray a couch or chair, do it before bed to be completely dry the next day when you sit on it.

Many cat owners don’t think about covering items that need protection. However, this can quickly be done by covering the target piece with a sheet. Another option is to buy a furniture protector to protect against cat scratches until you buy a cat pole. Even if you want to avoid covering that beautiful couch long-term, it’s a great place to start if you’re waiting to see results from one of the other methods. Another technique is to apply double-sided tape to the area you want to protect. This product works because the tape has a tactile texture that cats avoid.

Another thing people who do not have a cat scratching post do is opt for nail caps. Caps cover each nail so that scratching causes little or no damage. Nail caps typically fall off after four to six weeks, when new ones must be applied. The material is non-toxic, and the caps allow full retraction and extension of the claws, meaning your cat won’t be hindered from stretching its muscles. For nail caps to work appropriately, they must be applied correctly. So, if you decide to do this, follow the instructions strictly.