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How To Stop Your Cat From Destroying Furniture
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My cat is destroying my furniture. How can I stop it?
Of course, no one wants their cat to ruin their furniture, tear up their wallpaper, carpets, or leave holes in their clothes.
Cats love to climb. They like being up high and it’s instinctive for them to use their claws to climb whatever is in their path or will provide them a nice perch from which to observe their world. In order to do this easily, they need sharp claws, so it’s instinctive for them to sharpen their claws regularly. But what if the thing they’re climbing is your expensive silk curtains? Or maybe they’re using your new sofa to sharpen their claws? You may be asking, “How can I keep my cat from ruining my furniture?”
This problem is solved much easier than it seems at first glance. We want to share with you useful tips and effective techniques.
Let the cat sharpen its claws.
Such advice may seem strange, because this is the problem. But it is very important to consider that cats need to sharpen their claws. They are told to do so by their instincts (hunting, territorial) and physiology (removing the old stratum corneum). It is useless to fight it.
Give the cat an alternative.
It is not necessary that your things suffer when your cat satisfies it’s instincts. Redirect your cat's attention to objects specifically designed for sharpening claws. There are many different options: columns or wall and floor planks upholstered with carpet or twine, bed-claws and claw-houses made of pressed cardboard, even a cat tree with a special coating.
With such a variety, there should be no problem in choosing a model for any interior design, that could even become a decoration.
Trim your cat's sharp tips regularly.
Even if the cat goes to sharpen them where she should not, do not punish the cat for "hooliganism." In general, do not punish for anything as this will not bring a positive result and is guaranteed to ruin your relationship.
Keep cat out of the room he's been destroying.
As your cat is getting used to not scratching your furniture, you need to keep him out of the room he's been destroying, especially when you're not there to coach him to scratch appropriate things.
How to Train a Cat to a Scratching Post?
The scratching post should be installed in the place to which the cat particularly enjoys . Do not put it in a corner so that it is inconvenient for the pet to use it.
Sprinkle it with catnip.
As soon as she begins to sharpen her claws in the wrong place, carry her to the claw post.
If the cat does not show interest in the post her on her own, show her what to do. Pressing lightly on her paw pads, swipe the cat's paws along the post. You can also make a game out of it with a laser pointer beam, a mouse or a feather on a rope.
Treat the cat with a treat and praise for using the claw tip.
How to cut a cat’s nails.
1. Buy special scissors at the pet store. Normal household scissors will not do.
2. Gently, but securely, hold the cat.
3. Extend the paw and push on the paw pad (pillow) so that the cat releases her claws.
4. Carefully cut off the sharpest tip, not higher otherwise you could injure living tissue, causing pain and inflammation.
The whole process takes 5-10 minutes and does not require special skills. The procedure should be repeated approximately once a week or as the claws grow.
It is best to teach a cat to let you trim her claws from a young age, but in any case, you need to do this gradually. Start with one paw, release the animal. Do the other paw after a while. During the procedure, pet the cat and gently calm her. When done, give her a treat so the pet will quickly get used to manicure and will be calmer to respond to it.
If nothing else is working, try "Soft Paws," little rubber covers for cat claws.
Sometimes, owners use special silicone caps to protect the claws and stop their cats from scratching . These multi-colored triangles made of silicone are glued on top of a slightly trimmed claw.
The disadvantage is that many cats are psychologically unable to perceive foreign objects on their body, and caps on their claws are no exception.
The process itself takes about 20-40 minutes and includes challenges like the glue getting on the fur and skin of the animal. The glue can also be dangerous, when licked.
It is also very important to stick the caps on correctly so that there is no problem of ingrown claws.
Trimming in many aspects is simpler, faster, more affordable and safer for the cat.
If a cat scratches furniture, carpets, wallpapers, clothes:
1. Cut the cat's claws.
2. Pay attention to what surfaces (vertical or horizontal) and coatings (soft, rustling, etc.) the cat likes.
3. Buy a claw pad that is most similar to the desired object, and train the cat to use it.
4. Provide your pet with an active pastime so that he does not have to work out his hunting instincts on your items.
5. To wean a cat from scratching furniture, you can treat the surface with a special spray or citrus oil.
6. In the case of especially important items, repellers with a motion sensor help. When the cat is nearby, the device emits a stream of air or makes a sharp sound.
7. Blue painter’s tape can be safely applied to the legs of furniture, and you can then put a product called Sticky Paws on that. You should also have an acceptable scratching post nearby. When they are scratching something they shouldn’t, such as your furniture legs, the sticky tape will act as a deterrent.
Patience and persistence is key!
With a little encouragement, you'll have your furniture back in no time.