How to wean a cat to tear up furniture and not only? We teach good behavior. How to wean a cat from scratching wallpaper and furniture: tips and advice from experts How to prevent a cat from scratching a sofa

Why a cat scratches furniture is well known to everyone. This is actually the only acceptable way for her to maintain the sharpness and health of her claws. Thanks to this hygienic procedure, old scales are peeled off from the claws and the pet receives an updated “manicure”.

We must also not forget about natural instincts, which even centuries cannot destroy. Cats just need the process of scratching. This is their training in releasing claws and developing their tenacity, which is very important in terms of survival in nature. And although nothing threatens the pet, nevertheless, the skills laid down at the gene level make themselves felt.

Even cats through scratching can relieve stress and vent anger. Can you blame them for this? Sometimes people would not mind resorting to this method of "letting off steam." Therefore, you need to treat the animal with understanding and find the best methods to protect furniture from damage.

Ways to save upholstered furniture from cat claws

If the cat tears up the sofa, then do not despair, there are a lot of methods that will help in solving this problem. So you won’t have to part with your pet, or suffer from the unflattering appearance of upholstered furniture.

scratching post

One of the most common ways to protect sofas and armchairs from ruthless cat paws is with a scratching post. It can look different, for example, in the form of a plank upholstered with thick fabric or coarse rope. It is mounted on the wall in a convenient place for both the animal and the owners. The scratching post can also be an integral part of the cat entertainment complex or an independent post on a stand.

The cat may not start sharpening its claws in a specially designated place immediately. He needs to get used to it. It is necessary to conduct a couple of "lessons", moving the cat's paw along the scratching post. After a while, the pet will understand and remember what the owner requires of him. Kittens are especially easy and quick to train, so you should not put off scratching classes indefinitely, but you should accustom the animal from childhood to the order established in the house.

Interchangeable covers

Replaceable covers will help protect the upholstery of the sofa from scratching. They have a number of advantages, but also one significant drawback. So, first things first.

The advantages of replacement covers are:

direct protection of the sofa upholstery from damage;
concealment of traces of the "cat crime", that is, already existing torn corners;
weaning the animal from scratching the sofa, as cats sharpen their nails only on something stable, which cannot be said about fidgeting covers;
bringing diversity to the interior due to the new appearance of the sofa.

The disadvantage of interchangeable covers is the financial part. Of course, replacing them is cheaper than buying a new sofa, but frequent replacement of covers also requires certain unplanned costs.

Claw attachments

On sale there are special silicone nozzles for cat claws. They are held by special glue and save the furniture upholstery. But such caps need to be changed at intervals of several weeks, while the cat needs to be manicured. It turns out both troublesome and costly, especially if the procedure for replacing covers is carried out in a pet salon.

Special sprays

There are special sprays for furniture with a repulsive animal smell, the presence of which discourages any desire for a cat to sharpen its claws. But such atomizers are questionable. Often the animal gets used to the smell and continues its "criminal" business.

noise effect

Some try to use the animal's fear to wean it from scratching upholstered furniture. In such cases, inflated balloons are used, which, bursting, lead the cat to flee. On the floor (the main thing is that its coating allows) next to the favorite places of scratching, aluminum pots or bowls are laid out, touching which, the pet is frightened by the sound that has arisen and capitulates.
But this method can be pretty annoying and the owners. Also, it is not acceptable in a family with small children.

Double-sided adhesive tapes

Cats do not like slippery and sticky surfaces, so they are unlikely to like to tear their claws on duct tape that can be attached to problem areas on the couch. Over time, the cat should get used to this idea and leave the upholstery alone.

treat punishment

Some try to resort to training methods. For a fault, the cat is deprived of a treat and this is repeated until the animal understands what's what.

Removal of claws

The most radical and at the same time cruel method to save furniture from cat claws is to completely destroy these very claws. This procedure is called an onychectomy. Her whole nightmare consists in the complete removal of the claws of the animal, and with part of the paw pads. In fact, the cat becomes disabled both physically and psychologically.

There are still a lot of all kinds of folk methods on how to wean a cat to tear furniture - the use of citrus peels, spices, foil and other things. You can try all the ways, in the end there will definitely be one that will solve the problem once and for all.

But if none of the above options suits you, then you can look at sofas upholstered in more wear-resistant materials. For example, flock is very much loved by pet owners. It is problematic to leave clues on such a fabric, moreover, it is pleasant to the touch and easy to care for. In HomeMe.ru you can always consult on the choice of sofas and armchairs for your interior. Create comfort and coziness in your home.

Often, upon reaching a certain age, the kitten begins to sharpen its claws on the surrounding objects, which leads to their gradual deterioration. There are many methods on how to wean a cat from tearing a sofa, favorite chair, ottomans or cabinet doors. The main thing is not to try to explain to the animal that this cannot be done. The options announced by many with splashing the cat with water or loud shouts will not help protect the furniture. They will only provoke aggression on the part of the kitten, which, at best, will begin to scratch something else, but no less valuable.

You should immediately take into account that the animal will not stop sharpening its claws, this is a natural process that has a positive effect on the physical and mental state of the pet. On the one hand, the cat marks the territory in this way, asserting itself as a full-fledged resident of the apartment. Often, cats deliberately tear up the owner’s favorite place, thereby showing their location. And in some cases, this is the only way to improve the condition of worn claws.

Which cats do not tear furniture - the pros and cons of radical approaches

Contrary to popular belief, the breed of a cat does not matter in this area. Regardless of whether the aggressive Siamese cat, the calm Maine Coon or the exotic Sphynx live at home, the furniture is in the same danger. Sterilization will not play a decisive role either, even a calm pet will not give up its favorite habit. If an animal spoils products from time to time, this may be the result of poor-quality care for its claws. In this case, it is recommended to visit a veterinarian and learn how to carry out basic manipulations.

Most often, a stubborn beast tears up furniture all the time. In this case, the owners, driven to white heat, sometimes go for radical methods of solving the problem. To ensure that the pet never scratches anything again, they agree to do one of the following procedures:

Complete removal of claws.
Clipping of the tendons, which prevents the ability to release claws.
Regular cropping of elements.

All of these methods lead literally to the cat's disability. The animal's posture deteriorates and coordination is disturbed, which is accompanied by serious stress. No need to be surprised if, after such an aggressive approach, it turns out that now the pet is chewing on shoes, furniture and everything that comes across to it.

Humane and Effective Ways to Wean Your Feline From a Destructive Habit

After radical methods are swept aside, you can start looking for a suitable way out of the situation. It is best to start by providing a quality replacement for the household pest in the form of a scratching post. Moreover, this should be done at the first sign that the pet has chosen a leather sofa or an easy chair, until it has stripped the item to the filler.

The cat himself will not go to sharpen his claws on a new incomprehensible product, you will have to do a lot to make him understand that the replacement is equivalent:

First, the product can be leaned against the piece of furniture that the animal deliberately spoils.
Additionally, it is worth taking the cat by the paw and gently rubbing it over the surface with a high level of tension and resistance. Cats like to scratch just such areas, so sometimes even one practical lesson is enough.
Weasel is pleasant even for a cat, so every time you need to praise an animal that has independently chosen a scratching post, and not furniture.

In addition to providing a product to sharpen its claws on, care must be taken to ensure that the cat loses interest in everything that he has previously scratched. Otherwise, you may encounter a situation in which the animal fights everything indiscriminately.

You can use citrus essential oils so that it stops scratching your favorite leather sofa. Just a few drops rubbed on the surface of the upholstery or diluted in a large amount of water and sprayed over its surface will drive away a stubborn animal. You just need to remember to renew the smell.

Tip: At the same time, it is worth stimulating the cat's interest in the scratching post. To do this, drip a few drops of valerian or catnip onto the product.

Cats hate having their claws and paws stick to the surface they are rubbing. A few strips of double-sided tape will quickly cool the animal's interest in furniture. True, this is recommended to be done only in the case of a leather object, the fabric noticeably deteriorates from a long stay of glue on it.
Silicone nozzles are gaining particular popularity in the fight against cats who like to sharpen their claws. They are planted on natural elements with the help of animal-safe glue. The only inconvenience is that the nozzles will have to be changed regularly. And this technique will not help if the animal not only scratches, but also gnaws at the surface.

In extreme cases, you can get by with covers. They are best made from soft fabric and folded. For the cat to scratch the surface, it must be dense. If the animal tears up the fabric, and it gathers in waves and does not stretch, it will quickly lose interest in the area.

What to do if the cat scratched the leather sofa?

If time was lost and the cat still thoroughly ripped up furniture upholstered in fabric, restoration of a specific area using the same material or an original decorative insert can help. It’s not so easy to restore a leather sofa; it will only be possible to mask shallow scratches on your own. In case of serious damage, it is better not to try to do anything at home, but immediately turn to professionals.

Olive oil. The use of this component can save even if the animal prefers to sharpen its claws on fair skin. First, it is recommended to test the method on an inconspicuous area of the material and only then proceed with the restoration. We take slightly warm olive oil and a dense cotton pad. Wet the cotton wool in the oil, carefully squeeze it out, gently wipe the scratch itself and small areas of the skin around it. We work in circular motions in one direction. After that, we wait until the composition dries and evaluate the work. In some cases, a scratch may disappear without a trace from one treatment. If necessary, repeat the manipulation.
If the cat slightly scratched a dark leather sofa, then it is better to use shoe polish. We select the product of the desired shade, apply it on a cotton swab and gently rub it into the damaged surface. We wait until the mass dries and wipe the area with a clean paper towel. We evaluate the work and, if necessary, make several more approaches.
If the furniture is covered with deep scratches, you will have to do the following. First we use the oil approach (regardless of the color of the material). Then we again treat the place with oil, put a cotton cloth on it and wait for the liquid to be absorbed into it. After that, we take a new piece of tissue, moisten it with water and apply it to the area with damage. We iron the flap with a warm iron, holding it for no more than 8-10 seconds. If necessary, repeat several times. From such an impact, the oil will be absorbed better, masking scratches.

The sooner you start implementing these methods, the more likely you will be to save the furniture without sacrificing the health and good mood of your pet.

Sometimes we show miracles of ingenuity by desiring wean a cat to scratch furniture and sofa upholstery. But for our pets, this is just a usual way to keep their claws clean and keep them sharp, as well as a kind of gymnastics. In addition, scratching can be emotional in nature - in this way the animal declares its territory or protests about new living conditions or objects in the house.

Weaning a cat to tear up furniture and wallpaper

try stop your cat from scratching furniture It is possible with the help of training, using sharp sounds, for example, the ringing of coins or the sound of pebbles in a tin can.

Another option is a spray bottle with water - it is unlikely that a pet will like such a cold shower. Sometimes, in the process of scratching, it is enough to scare the animal 2-3 times to wean it from scratching the sofa. Now on the market you can even buy special repellent sprays with unpleasant odors for cats. They spray furniture. Ask at the pet store.

A tricky trick will help to wean a cat from a bad habit. We attach a strip of double-sided adhesive tape to the edge of the chair seat. Cut off, remove the protective layer and sprinkle with black ground pepper. The cat does not tolerate the smell of pepper and will most likely forget about the pranks on this piece of furniture.

To prevent the cat from scratching the furniture, it is worth buying a scratching post. The ideal coating material is tree bark or jute. In general, it is better to watch your pet and figure out which coverage he likes best.

As a scratching post, you can adapt an old floor mat, cut it out in a pattern and decorate it with a sofa or a wall in the hallway. It will be cheaper than buying a ready-made item.

Pay attention to the height of the claw point. Also make sure that there are no smudges of glue on the product. The device must be strong and stable, but not too heavy, so as not to injure the animal in case of an accidental fall. Place it where your pet sharpens its claws.

Teaching a cat to a scratching post

Animal psychologists say that if furniture is not scratched from an early age, a well-bred cat is unlikely to scratch in the future. From childhood, it is necessary to teach the animal to sharpen its nails not on the sofa, but on a special scratching post.

Our actions:

We caught it at a time when the cat was tearing up furniture, carefully take it by the paws and transfer it to the scratching post.
We run our paws over it, showing that it is more pleasant and better here, accompanying with affectionate words.
If the cat continues to scratch the sofa and wallpaper, hold the bully accountable. Stop it with a splash of water, a sharp sound, a spray, then gently bring it to the claw.
Use special sprays: pleasant (mint, for example) to attract to the scratching post; sprays with a sharp bitter smell to scare away furniture. It is impossible to exclude manifestations of allergies in households, which is important for all household chemicals. But manufacturers claim that such sprays are safe.
Don't show too much emotion. Act calmly, sedately and nobly, as cats love it.
Place the scratching post closer to the place where the cat is used to sharpening its nails.

Cats are peculiar individuals. It will take a lot of patience to convince the animal that he likes the scratching post.

To prevent the cat from scratching the furniture

Aggressive cats and cats get a manicure, it is enough only on the front paws twice a week. Nail cutter - special scissors for cutting claws. Technically, you can also cut with ordinary scissors, but from the point of view of medicine, it’s not worth it - the claw will be destroyed.

Trimming the cat's claws

We take out the claw from the nail bed, press on the soft pad, cut off 1/4 of the total length to neutralize the tip. A cat's manicure must be done carefully so as not to touch the blood vessels. Better to have a specialist do it.

According to extreme indications, super-aggressive animals undergo removal of the nail phalanx. Not a very humane method, so it is permissible only as a last resort.

Cat nail pads

To prevent the cat from scratching the furniture, use special lining on the claws, in other words, anti-scratches. They come in different colors and are transparent. Beautiful and safe. They are glued to cats and cats directly on the nail, which prevents them from catching on fabric, wallpaper or carpeting. Before use, it is advisable to trim your pet's claws.

The kit usually includes glue and 20/40 silicone or vinyl nail pads. Not the entire volume of the cap is filled with glue, but only 1/3 of the total cavity. Anti-scratches last an average of 3 to 4 weeks. Gradually, the nail is renewed and they fall off. The procedure is repeated.

False nails for cats help save furniture and household from scratches. Suitable for animals with a bad temper. Cats gradually get used to them and continue to live their usual lives.

Try different options, and there is sure to be one that will help. wean the cat from scratching furniture and tearing wallpaper. Be attentive and patient with your pet's behavior. Animals feel cared for and try not to disappoint their owners.

With the advent of a kitten in the house, the number of problems also increases, one of which is spoilage.

Everyone knows that cats enjoy sharpening their claws on upholstery. It is pointless to scold an animal for its natural instincts, but it is necessary to fight them, otherwise you will have to work all your life for constant purchases of a new one.

You can't argue with nature

Why a cat scratches is well known to everyone. This is actually the only acceptable way for her to maintain the sharpness and health of her claws. Thanks to this hygienic procedure, old scales are peeled off from the claws and the pet receives an updated “manicure”.

Ways to save upholstered furniture from cat claws

If the cat is fighting, then do not despair, there are a lot of methods that will help in solving this problem. So you won’t have to part with your pet, or suffer from the unflattering appearance of upholstered furniture.

scratching post

One of the most common ways to protect and chairs from ruthless cat paws is a scratching post. It can look different, for example, in the form of a plank upholstered with thick fabric or coarse rope. It is mounted on the wall in a convenient place for both the animal and the owners. The scratching post can also be an integral part of the cat entertainment complex or an independent post on a stand.

Interchangeable covers

Replaceable covers will help protect the upholstery from scratching. They have a number of advantages, but also one significant drawback. So, first things first.

The advantages of replacement covers are:

direct upholstery protection against damage;
concealment of traces of the "cat crime", that is, already existing torn corners;
weaning the animal from scratching the sofa, as cats sharpen their nails only on something stable, which cannot be said about fidgeting covers;
bringing diversity to the interior due to the new appearance of the sofa.

Claw attachments

Special sprays

noise effect

But this method can be pretty annoying and the owners. Also, it is not acceptable in a family with small children.

Double-sided adhesive tapes

treat punishment

Some try to resort to training methods. For a fault, the cat is deprived of a treat and this is repeated until the animal understands what's what.