How to Stop Your Cat From Scratching the Furniture

How to Stop Your Cat From Scratching the Furniture

Pets can be fairly destructive in our homes, and cats scratch for a variety of instinctive reasons like maintaining healthy claws, helping them stretch, marking their territory, and just because it seems to feel good.
However, you don’t have to live with clawed up, scratched, and torn furniture just because you love cats. There are some ways that you can help discourage your cat from destroying your nice things, without putting them in pain or at risk by having them declawed.
cat-scratching-furniture_strip1

6 Tips to Keep Your Cat From Scratching Your Furniture

cat-scratching-furniture_strip2

1. Provide Better Alternatives

Cats are going to scratch. Period. So, to discourage them from ruining your furniture, provide them with more attractive alternatives that are actually made for scratching. Add a few scratching posts to different areas of your home where your cat tends to scratch. Be sure to provide posts that offer different textures (sisal rope, carpet, cardboard, or turf) and differently angled surfaces.

2. Try Cat Scratch Tape or Spray

Special double-sided tape that sticks to furniture or specially scented sprays can discourage your cat from scratching treated furniture.

3. Homemade Deterrents

You can also try to deter your cat from scratching the furniture by hanging aluminum foil from the backs of your sofa or chairs.

4. Vinyl Guards

You can also purchase specially designed vinyl guards that are designed specifically to protect the corners of your furniture from kitty claws.

5. Nail Caps and Mittens

If your cat still hasn’t given up on the furniture, then we recommend trying nail caps or socks/mittens for your cat. Nail caps are small, plastic covers that fit over your cat’s claws, preventing them from scratching. Mittens or socks are just what they sound like, cloth covers that fit over your cat’s paws to prevent them from scratching.

6. Trim Your Cat's Nails

One of the reasons cats scratch is to maintain the health and length of their claws. If you keep them trimmed regularly, their paws will stay comfortable, and they won’t feel as compelled to scratch as before.
cat-scratching-furniture_strip3
cat-scratching-furniture_strip4

Feline Lifestyle Enrichment Advice From Our Woodland Park Veterinarian

At Compassion Animal Hospital in Woodland Park, we want to help all of our patients live their best animal lives, and this means providing our clients education on the proper ways to enrich their pets’ environments and daily lives. To learn more about discouraging your cat from scratching and addressing other potential behavior problems, we welcome you to schedule an appointment with our veterinarian today.

Choosing the Right Cat for Your Family

Choosing the Right Cat for Your Family

June marks the height of kitten season, which means there are loads of litters just waiting to be adopted. So, that’s why the month of June has also been designated Adopt-A-Cat Month to encourage cat ladies, cat guys, cat people, and cat families to visit their local animal shelters and bring home a kitten, an adult cat, or two (or more).
When you choose to adopt a cat, however, it’s important to know what you and your family are looking for, so that you can choose a new pet that will fit right into your family.
right-cat-for-your-family-strip1

Top 3 Tips for Choosing the Right Cat for Your Family

1. Children or Other Pets

Kittens are fairly adaptable, and given the right encouragement and protection, they can adapt to just about any family. However, older cats have more established personalities. Before bringing one home, find out whether a cat is good with children, other cats, or dogs if you have any in your household.

2. Age

Before adopting, consider what age of pet you want to adopt. There are plenty of kittens, adult cats, and senior cats looking for homes. Cats of all ages have plenty of love and playfulness to offer.
  • Kittens have loads of energy, are super cute, and can be a lot of work as they usually require litter box training.
  • Adult cats are a bit tamer than kittens, still very cute, and are usually better trained (as well as any cat can be trained). Plus, you'll have a better idea of any health concerns before you adopt.
  • Senior cats are sweethearts, have loads of love to give, and are usually best matched with a quieter household.

3. Personality

Anyone who spends any time around cats knows that they all have distinctive personalities – just like people. Generally, cats can be divided into two personality types: greeters who are outgoing and friendly and those who are shy at first. Before choosing a cat to bring home, spend some time getting to know them first.

Establish Your Pet's Care With Compassion Animal Hospital

If you decide to adopt a new pet during Adopt-a-Cat Month (or any time of the year), we welcome you to establish care with Dr. Cooper at Compassion Animal Hospital in Woodland Park. We provide personalized wellness and preventative veterinary care for cats and dogs. To learn more, contact us today.
right-cat-for-your-family-strip5