To a cat, almost every piece of furniture is a potential scratch post. Although we love our kitties dearly, endless kneading and pawing can wreak havoc with couches, soft furnishings, and chairs. If you’ve got a brand new sofa, and your cat is eyeing it up, here are some top tips to take on board.
Protecting a couch from cat scratches
Scratching is a natural action for cats, which serves several purposes. Cats paw at surfaces and objects to trim their nails, mark their territory, express affection and reduce tension. The trouble is that cats have difficulty differentiating your prized furniture from their scratch post, and to them, nothing is off-limits. The good news is that there are steps you can take to try and protect a new couch and keep it scratch-free for as long as possible.
- Divert your cat’s attention
Cats scratch, and there is no way of preventing them from doing so. This is an innate behavior, which is practiced by all felines. The key to shielding valuable items like a brand new sofa lies in providing an alternative place to scratch. Divert your cat’s attention from the couch or a chair or table leg by investing in a scratch post or a mat. Here, they can scratch to their heart’s content, and you don’t have to worry about your furniture. It’s a good idea to have a couple of scratch posts, especially if you have more than one cat. Many cats like to scratch and stretch as soon as they wake up, so having a post near their bed works well.
- Covers and blankets
If your cat is used to lounging around and taking naps on your couch, it will be very difficult to keep them away from a new sofa. Rather than banishing them to a different spot, which may not go down very well, use covers and blankets to protect your cushions.
- Citrus-based sprays
Cats have a very sharp sense of smell, and if they pick up something they’re not keen on, they’ll give it a wide berth. If you’re hoping to keep your kitty away from a new sofa, you could use a citrus-based air freshener to spray your couch. Cats don’t like these scents, and they’ll find somewhere else to lay down and enjoy a nap.
- Exercise, playtime and diet
Some cats are lazy and they enjoy a rather languid lifestyle, but most enjoy playing and running around. You can help to reduce the risk of scratching by keeping your cat entertained with toys, playing with them and ensuring they are happy, relaxed, and content. Provide a comfortable place to sleep, ensure they have access to water at all times, take a look at delicious meals in the Meowing Heads cat food range, and make time for cuddles if your cat is the affectionate type. It’s also advisable to keep an eye on your cat’s claws. If they’re very long, and your furry friend is scratching more than usual, it may be worth taking them to the vet and getting their nails trimmed.
You only have to observe a cat for a few hours to see that they love to scratch. The problem for pet owners is that cats aren’t usually fussy about what they scratch. If you have a new sofa you’re keen to keep in tip-top condition, buy covers, ensure your cats have scratch posts and mats and make sure they have a comfy, cozy place to snooze.
