How to quickly and safely stop a cat from tearing up furniture?

There are many methods for stopping a cat from scratching a sofa, favorite chair, ottomans or cabinet doors. In this article, we will present you with several effective ways to help you stop your cat from tearing up furniture, while maintaining his safety and your well-being at home.

You should immediately take into account that the animal will not stop sharpening its claws; this is a natural process that has a positive effect on the physical and mental state of the pet. On the one hand, the cat marks its territory in this way, establishing itself as a full-fledged resident of the apartment. Often cats deliberately tear at the owner’s favorite place, thereby showing their location. And in some cases, this is the only way to improve the condition of worn-out claws.

Which cats don't tear up furniture - the pros and cons of radical approaches

Contrary to popular belief, the breed of the cat does not matter in this area. Regardless of whether there is an aggressive Siamese cat, a calm Maine Coon or an exotic Sphynx living at home, the furniture is in the same danger. Sterilization will also not play a decisive role; even a calmed pet will not give up its favorite habit. If an animal spoils products from time to time, this may be the result of poor quality care for its claws. In this case, it is recommended to visit a veterinarian and find out how to carry out basic manipulations.

Most often, a stubborn animal constantly destroys furniture.In this case, the owners, driven to white heat, sometimes resort to radical methods to solve the problem. To ensure that the pet never scratches anything again, they agree to do one of the following procedures:

1. Complete declawing.
2. Cutting tendons, which prevents the ability to extend claws.
3. Regular trimming of elements.

All of the above methods literally lead to disability of the cat. The animal's posture deteriorates and coordination is impaired, which is accompanied by serious stress. There is no need to be surprised if, after such an aggressive approach, you find that the pet is now chewing shoes, furniture and everything that comes across it.

Humane and effective ways to wean cats from destructive habits

After radical methods have been discarded, you can begin to search for a suitable way out of the situation. The best place to start is by providing your home pest with a quality replacement in the form of a scratching post. Moreover, this should be done at the first sign that the pet has taken a fancy to a leather sofa or soft chair, before he strips the item down to its filling.

The cat himself will not sharpen his claws on a new, incomprehensible product; a lot will have to be done for him to understand that the replacement is equivalent:

1. First, the product can be leaned against the piece of furniture that the animal is purposefully damaging.
2. Additionally, it is worth taking the cat by the paw and gently moving it along the surface with a high level of tension and resistance. Cats like to scratch precisely these areas, so sometimes even one practical lesson is enough.
3. Affection is pleasant even for a cat, so every time you need to praise an animal that independently chose a scratching post rather than furniture.

In addition to providing something to sharpen its claws on, you need to make sure that your cat loses interest in anything he previously scratched. Otherwise, you may encounter a situation in which the animal eats everything indiscriminately.

• You can use citrus essential oils to stop it from scratching your favorite leather sofa. Just a few drops, rubbed over the surface of the upholstery or diluted in a large amount of water and sprayed over its surface, will drive away a stubborn animal. You just need to remember to update the smell.

Advice: At the same time, it is worth stimulating the cat’s interest in the scratching post. To do this, add a few drops of valerian or catnip onto the product.

• Cats hate it when their claws and paws stick to the surface they are scratching. A few strips of double-sided tape will quickly cool the animal's interest in the furniture. True, this is recommended to be done only in the case of a leather item; the fabric noticeably deteriorates from the prolonged presence of glue on it.
• Silicone attachments are gaining particular popularity in the fight against cats who like to sharpen their claws. They are attached to natural elements using animal-safe glue. The only inconvenience is that the nozzles will have to be changed regularly. And this technique will not help if the animal not only scratches, but also gnaws the surface.

In extreme cases, you can get by with covers. They are best made from soft fabric and folded. For a cat to scratch the surface, it must be dense. If an animal tears at the fabric, but it gathers in waves and does not stretch, it will quickly lose interest in the area.

What to do if a cat scratches a leather sofa?

If time has been lost and the cat has thoroughly torn up the furniture upholstered in fabric, restoring a specific area using the same material or an original decorative insert can help. A leather sofa cannot be restored so easily; you can only mask shallow scratches on your own. In case of serious damage, it is better not to try to do anything at home, but to immediately contact a professional.

• Olive oil. The use of this component can save, even if the animal prefers to sharpen its claws on light skin. It is first recommended to test the method on an inconspicuous area of ​​the material and only then begin restoration. Take slightly warm olive oil and a thick cotton pad. We soak the cotton wool in the oil, squeeze it out thoroughly, and gently wipe the scratch itself and small areas of skin around it. We work in a circular motion in one direction. After this, we wait until the composition dries and evaluate the work. In some cases, a scratch may disappear without leaving a trace after just one treatment. If necessary, repeat the manipulation.
• If a cat slightly scratches a dark leather sofa, it is better to use shoe polish. We select the product of the required shade, apply it to a cotton swab and carefully rub it into the damaged surface. We wait until the mixture dries and wipe the area with a clean paper napkin. We evaluate the work and, if necessary, make several more approaches.
• If the furniture is covered with deep scratches, you will have to do the following. We use the oil approach first (regardless of the color of the material). Then we treat the area with oil again, put a cotton cloth on it and wait for the liquid to be absorbed into it.After this, we take a new piece of fabric, moisten it with water and apply it to the damaged area. Iron the flap with a warm iron, holding it for no more than 8-10 seconds. If necessary, repeat several times. From this effect, the oil will be absorbed better, masking the scratches.

The sooner you start implementing the above methods, the greater the chances of saving the furniture without sacrificing the health and good mood of your pet.