Cat Scraching Furniture

After many years of wondering why cats always go after furniture I have finally figured it out and how to stop it! Cats like clawing furniture because it is STABLE and usually tall enough for them to completely stretch their bodies out with. It does not move or budge when they dig into it - unlike those little scratching posts. You can take a three foot 1x6 board, wrap it tightly with sisal rope, weight it very well and anchor it in the upright position - and believe it or not they will LOVE IT! You can also rub the sisal with a little catnip to draw them to it. Trust me, they leave your furniture alone if you provide them with a long enough, stable enough, piece of furniture of their own.

The Problem
I have three cats and two old couches that are shredded. We just bought 2 new loveseats for our living room. Does any one have a homemade solution to deter our cats away from these couches or a really good product to buy that actually works? I have tried a store bought product that didn't work and I have also used vinegar dabbed on the fabric with no luck. I tried placing aluminum foil on the edges, which works, but it is not so pretty. Also, once I take them off the cats are back at it. I tried squirting them with a water bottle when I catch them, but they mostly scratch at it late at night or when no one's home. I am out of ideas. My last hope is to declaw them, which probably isn't cheap and I heard not so great for older cats.

Get Attention with Catnip
Get a catnip scented scratching board for each of them and they will never scratch your furniture again. They are at www.catclaws.com and they really work!

Spray to Stop Scratching The best product on the market to stop cats from urine marking or scratching is called Feliway. I was at the end of my rope with 3 elderly cats that spray marked my house and furniture. I had tried everything and was contemplating getting rid of them because of the smell and all the furniture, etc. that had been destroyed. I've used it for over a year and it works wonders! Read more about it at www.DrsFosterSmith.com. They sell it for $19.99 a 75-ml spray bottle. I haven't found any local pet stores that carry it. I asked at PetSmart and Pet Supplies Plus and was told they can order it for $30-40 a bottle. At $19.99 a bottle it's still a bit pricey but it lasts a long time and is worth every penny.

Choosing Dog Furniture

Choosing Pet Furniture