Possibly. Cats need to scratch something to maintain their claws. Also, catnip can help encourage them to scratch the things they’re supposed to instead of the furniture.
You can also discourage scratching of the sofa by covering it with something that’s icky for cats to scratch for the duration of making the post the place to habitually scratch.
Yes, but since they have already begun on the furniture, you will need to train them out of it.
Find your best cat treat, (for our cat it is dried strips of beef) We began by placing the treat on the scratching post - or hiding them if possible. When the cat uses the scratching post (we have three different ones in the house, and they all see use). When cat uses the scratching post - praise and a treat. Uses furniture? Water gun NEAR the cat. (intentional miss)
The goal is a positive connection to the desired behaviour, and a neutral to negative for undesired. We had to go neutral because our cat is a rescue and pretty anxious. We didn’t want to add to it. Now she doesn’t use the couches at all, and runs to the scratching post when we enter the room and shows us she is using the post so she’ll get a treat.
Cats need to scratch to maintain their nails. If you don’t provide them with something you’re happy with them scratching then get ready for scratched furniture
@jacktherippah Probably, but you will also probably have to teach them to use it, and not the couch. Plus, they love to get up on high places, so if you get a tall one, they will enjoy climbing it.
BTW cats seem to LOVE that fake leather (real leather too, but I think they like the fake stuff more), so it may be a bit of a battle.
Also, a question: Will a scratching post help my couch?
Possibly. Cats need to scratch something to maintain their claws. Also, catnip can help encourage them to scratch the things they’re supposed to instead of the furniture.
You can also discourage scratching of the sofa by covering it with something that’s icky for cats to scratch for the duration of making the post the place to habitually scratch.
Yes, but since they have already begun on the furniture, you will need to train them out of it.
Find your best cat treat, (for our cat it is dried strips of beef) We began by placing the treat on the scratching post - or hiding them if possible. When the cat uses the scratching post (we have three different ones in the house, and they all see use). When cat uses the scratching post - praise and a treat. Uses furniture? Water gun NEAR the cat. (intentional miss)
The goal is a positive connection to the desired behaviour, and a neutral to negative for undesired. We had to go neutral because our cat is a rescue and pretty anxious. We didn’t want to add to it. Now she doesn’t use the couches at all, and runs to the scratching post when we enter the room and shows us she is using the post so she’ll get a treat.
Cats need to scratch to maintain their nails. If you don’t provide them with something you’re happy with them scratching then get ready for scratched furniture
@jacktherippah Probably, but you will also probably have to teach them to use it, and not the couch. Plus, they love to get up on high places, so if you get a tall one, they will enjoy climbing it.
BTW cats seem to LOVE that fake leather (real leather too, but I think they like the fake stuff more), so it may be a bit of a battle.
Thank you!