How to Stop a Cat Scratching Furniture

Cats and kittens are cute, cuddly and fun to play with. However, they also can scratch furniture. By following the steps in this article, you can gently break them of this habit.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Scratching post
• Catnip
• Water-filled spray bottle
• Anti-scratching spray (optional)

1. Obtain a cat scratching post, which is usually made of particle board wrapped in carpet. Posts can be purchased for about twenty dollars or they can be made at home. Some posts are equipped with additional features that your cat may like, such as high platforms for perching or dangling balls or toys for swatting.

2. Place the post in front the furniture at the position where the cat usually scratches. For example, you might place it at the corner of the couch.

3. Sprinkle catnip on the post to attract the cat to it. The cat will satisfy its scratching needs with the post.

4. Each day, as the cat begins to frequent the post, move it a few inches away from your furniture and towards the location where you intend to permanently place the post.

5. Spray the cat with water if it returns to the original scratching site. The water will not harm the cat, but it will discourage your pet from repeating the behavior.

Tips & Warnings

• Some pet supply stores sell anti-scratching solutions which encourage cats to stop scratching furniture. Spray the solution, which cats dislike (but humans can neither smell nor taste) onto the location you want to protect from his claws.
• De-clawing a cat will not stop the cat from making scratching motions but will reduce the damage. De-clawing a cat that goes outdoors, however, leaves the cat vulnerable to injury by decreasing your pet's ability to escape or defend itself if attacked.

Resources

• For cat behavior articles visit this website.
• Browse a variety of pet care products, including scratching posts, at this website.
• For a veterinarian's advice, visit this website.

[coloringsa]

on 10/3/2007 spend as much time with you cat as possible to make them know who you are.

[coloringsa]

on 10/21/2007 I LOVE TO WATCH MY CAT PLAY BUT SHE STILL BITES. I MAKE HER STOP BY SIMPLY TAPPING HER BUTT BUT NOT TOO HARD.

[coloringsa]

on 10/3/2007 my cat scrach all the time and what you simply do is use a squirt bottle full of warm water and squirt their body. dont squirt their face it will make them ask worse.