How to train your cat not to scratch your furniture

Working in a cat adoption center I hear a lot of reasons why people want to declaw their cat. It's a cruel and inhumane procedure, and I won't let someone adopt a cat if that's what they plan to do. Instead, I help people understand what declawing really is, and why it's easier to train your cat than to declaw it. One excuse I hear a lot is that they want to declaw their cat because they have kids. I discussed teaching kids how to safely interact with cats in a previous article. Today I'll cover another common excuse: "I need to declaw my cat because I have expensive furniture."

I understand wanting to keep your furniture looking new. But mutilating a cat's feet isn't the best way to get that accomplished. Cats need to scratch things. It works out the muscles in their feet, legs, shoulders, chest and back. It removes the dead outer layer of their claws. It's a way to work off energy and it just feels good. When let out of their cage, most of the cats in the shelter run directly to the cat tree and furiously scratch on it for a few minutes. You can tell how good it feels for them to stretch and burn off some energy after being cooped up in a cage. Scratching is a basic need for cats, just like dogs need to go for walks.

After ten years of living with futons or hand-me-down couches I went out and bought my first new couch. It cost a lot but looks great. With four cats in my house it could be quickly destroyed, so I immediately told the cats they couldn't scratch it. You'd be amazed at what you can accomplish simply by telling your animals what they can or can't do. Of course, you need to do more than just tell them, so I sprayed the edges of the couch with Pet Organics No-Scratch for Cats. It's an herbal mixture that doesn't have an odor to humans, but smells terrible to cats. The spray worked for three of my cats, but one of them still thought the couch needed a good scratching. I stopped him in the act with a firm "No" and picked him up and carried him to his scratching post.

All cats need to have at least one approved scratching area. A lot of people buy scratching posts but complain that their cats don't use them. The reason some posts never get used is poor design. Most scratching posts are only 18-24 inches tall. My cats easily stretch 36 inches high! When a cat wants to stretch out and enjoy a good scratch what would an 18 inch post do? Nothing at all, so they move on to the couch because it's taller. A lot of scratching posts are made out of carpet. While some cats love carpet, it doesn't last as long or feel as good as sisal. Sisal is a stiff rope that can be tightly wrapped around the post to make an excellent scratching surface. Sisal is being seen on more and more scratching posts, so check your local pet store and see what they have. I found the cat tree pictured above at PetSmart.

Providing your cat with a good cat-approved scratching post and firm commands will let him know where he can scratch. If he still doesn't get the hint and attempts to scratch your furniture you can train him with a spray bottle. Fill the spray bottle with water and set it to stream (not mist). You have to catch him in the act for it to work. When he starts to scratch firmly say "No" and spray him with the water. Cats hate water and it will make him run away. Just make sure you don't spray him in the face; it can hurt if it gets in his eyes. You have to do this every time he starts to scratch in the wrong place. If your cat gets sprayed with water when he tries to scratch the couch but gets treats when he uses his scratching post it won't take him long to realize the best place to scratch.

If your cat still doesn't get it and insists on scratching your furniture you have two options. You can keep his nails trimmed. A cat's claw curves into a hook, and it's that hook that catches into fabrics and shreds them. If you keep your cat's nails trimmed there won't be a hook, and they won't catch on anything. If you trim them every week or two they won't grow long enough for the cat to destroy anything with them. You have to be careful when trimming their nails; if you accidentally cut the quick (the pink area) it will be painful to the cat and will bleed a lot. The other option is Soft Paws. They're plastic caps that are glued over each of the cat's nails. The prevent the cat from damaging anything. Most cats don't mind them, they're long lasting and affordable. They're a great option when simply training your cat doesn't work.

With all of these ways to train your cat declawing shouldn't even be an option. My four cats don't scratch my couch, and I often hear from adopters how they successfully used these methods to train their cats as well. Your furniture will stay beautiful, and you and your cat will be happy.