Is your cat scratching your furniture?

"What can I do to prevent the cat from scratching my furniture?" is often the first question new cat owners ask. Cats will most often scratch objects (like the sides of your couch) when they are trying to mark their territory (with the scent glands on the pads of their paws) or are trying to sharpen and slough their nails. Although this is a natural behaviour, it can be troublesome to owners. The following solutions may provide a resolution to your cat scratching issues.

Deterrents
Some cat owners have found success in keeping a spray bottle handy to use as a deterrent, when witnessing their cat scratching furniture. A quick burst of water is directed at the cat while they are scratching inappropriate belongings. After receiving this result consistently your cat may abandon using your furniture to scratch on.

Other cat owners have found that placing tin foil in the areas where cats scratch (on the corners of furniture) make the furniture less appealing to scratch on, causing the cat to cease scratching there. Deterring them from scratching furniture will not decrease their need to scratch, but rather prevent the destruction of your furniture. It is important to remember that scratching is a natural behaviour and cats should be given something appropriate to scratch on.

Scratching Posts
Scratching posts most commonly consist of a vertical surface covered in carpet or a heavy sisal rope that is ideal for scratching. Some cats will discover and scratch on a scratching post on their own, whereas others may need some encouragement. Rubbing cat nip into the fibres of the post or spraying it with cat nip spray will likely attract your cat to the post. Redirecting a young kitten, who is scratching furniture, to scratch on a post will help them to form the habit of using the post instead of your furniture as the appropriate place to scratch.

Nail Caps
Nail caps are made of a soft vinyl that is adhered with glue over a trimmed nail. These nail caps come in a variety of colours and sizes to suit all cats. Once applied, the nail caps will stay on for 4 to 6 week and will fall off as the nail naturally grows out. The blunt end of the nail caps will prevent any damage which may be caused when your cat attempts to scratch on your furniture.

Declawing
Declawing is a surgical procedure where the last joint in which the nail is closely adhered to is removed. This surgery requires your cat to undergo a general anaesthetic and is therefore most often performed at the time of spaying or neutering. This surgery is only necessary on the front paws and is a permanent measure to prevent furniture destruction from scratching. Recovery from surgery usually takes up to a couple of weeks and will involve the use of a good pain control medication prescribed by your veterinarian. Declawing is not a good option for cats that go outdoors as they will have a decreased ability to protect themselves in a fight without their claws.