How To Keep Cat From Scratching Furniture
Cats are very strong animals and have powerful claws. Cats use their claws to scratch things, like trees in the wild. Scratching is a natural behavior for cats and it can be frustrating if they scratch your furniture, carpeting or drapes. Fortunately, there are several ways to prevent this from happening.
Cats scratch for a variety of reasons — to mark their territory by leaving both a visual mark and a scent (they have scent glands on their paws), to remove the dead outer layer of their claws, to flex their bodies and work off energy, and to stretch their muscles.
Cats scratch for a variety of reasons — to mark their territory by leaving both a visual mark and a scent (they have scent glands on their paws), to remove the dead outer layer of their claws, to flex their bodies and work off energy, and to stretch their muscles.
It is important to understand why cats scratch furniture before you can begin training them not to do so. Cats scratch for the following reasons:
- To mark territory — cats will use any object with which they have access as a scratching post; this includes furniture that belongs to other people! Cats are territorial creatures, so they will often mark their personal space in order to communicate where they feel safe or comfortable. Scratching objects near doors or windows may also serve as extra protection against intruders coming through those openings!
Most people have experienced a cat’s claws sinking into the fabric of a favorite piece of furniture or carpeting. This can easily become an expensive problem if the damage is left unaddressed.
Many people have experienced a cat’s claws sinking into the fabric of a favorite piece of furniture or carpeting. This can easily become an expensive problem if the damage is left unaddressed.
The most obvious reasons for this behavior are that your cat does not like their current scratching post, or perhaps they simply want a change in scenery when they scratch. The good news is that there are several options out there for you to try if you find yourself in this situation!
One option is to purchase an inexpensive scratching post from your local pet store and place it near where your cat likes to scratch most often. Another option is to use items around the house to create an area for them where they can safely stretch their claws out every once in awhile.
The skin at the end of your cat’s toes is called the “quick.” It contains nerves, blood vessels and living tissue that keep the claws healthy. It is also very sensitive, so when you trim your cat’s nails, you need to be careful not to cut into this area.
As you can see, the claws are important for a number of reasons. So when trimming your cat’s claws, you need to be careful not to cut into this sensitive area.
When you clip your cat’s nails regularly (we recommend every two weeks or so), they will not become too long that they snag on your furniture, break off or pose a health risk.
When you clip your cat’s nails regularly (we recommend every two weeks or so), they will not become too long that they snag on your furniture, break off or pose a health risk. If you have ever accidentally cut into the quick of a dog’s nail, you know how painful it can be for them!
There are several things to look for when clipping cat nails:
- The “quick” will be pinkish in color and located under the nail itself. The quick is where blood vessels and nerves are located; cutting into this area will cause pain and bleeding. If you cut too far back from the tip, you may accidentally hit this sensitive part of their paw which may cause them to yelp or jump out of your lap in surprise/pain
Cats naturally prefer scratching surfaces that are rough and vertical, such as tree trunks in the wild, so a good scratching post should be both rough and tall enough for cats to fully stretch.
Cats naturally prefer scratching surfaces that are rough and vertical, such as tree trunks in the wild, so a good scratching post should be both rough and tall enough for cats to fully stretch. Cats also like to scratch things that are nearby, so your cat will probably put their new scratching post to use right away!
The most important thing you can do is to provide your cat with a safe place to scratch. It’s also helpful to make sure that the cat has regular access to toys and treats that keep his mind engaged so he doesn’t feel the need to scratch.
