How to Train a Cat to Stay Off the Furniture

By Heather U., eHow Member Rating

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If you are tired of finding layers of hair on your furniture from your cat, it's time to train them to stay off or at the very least train them to stay on a designated blanket. There are a few tactics you can try before resigning yourself to a life of furry furniture. Read on to learn more.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Spray bottle with water
New bedding for cat
Blanket
Cat nip
Foil

How to Train Your Cat to Stay off the Furniture

Step 1

The best way to stop the behavior, is to never let it stop, but if you're reading this article, it probably already has. When you aren't at home cover the felines favorite furniture with foil. They don't like stepping on it. You can also buy mats that produce static electricity that the cats dislike as well if the foil doesn't work.
Step 2

When are you home and the cat gets on the furniture, immediately spray the cat with a couple squirts from the water bottle. Get out the new cat bedding and try to get the animal to use that as an alternative. To make it more appealing, trying sprinkling it with catnip. Persistence is the key here.
Step 3

If you would just rather train your cat to stay on a blanket to keep the hair off the couch, place a blanket on the furniture and place the cat on the blanket. If they try to move off the item, put them back on or use the spray bottle technique highlighted above. Again you must remain persistent.
Step 4

If all else fails, you may want to talk to you vet or scour the internet for humane options. It's advisable not to go with scare or pain tactics unless you like when your cat urinates on your stuff.

Comments

GreenKnitter said

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on 10/15/2008 The only advice I can lend in that situation is to remain vigilant in your resolve to keep them off the furniture. I had success with one cat by putting a pillow on the furniture. She found the pillow better than the couch itself. Although she is still on the couch, she's on HER part of the couch. I think the key here is to find the right way to protect the furniture. I also remove her from the pillow often and I've found she climbs up less and less becuase she's tired of be disturbed. Good luck!