Introduction

One of the more common issues cat owners face is a scratching-obsessed feline. In fact, it’s safe to say that most cats scratch for at least some part of their life. When this happens, though, we’re left with shredded furniture, torn curtains, and missing table legs. But do you know why your cat scratches in the first place? It’s because he or she is bored! Luckily for you (and your couch), there are many ways to prevent this behavior from occurring. You just need to follow these simple steps:

Trim your cat’s claws

You should trim your cat’s claws every 2-3 weeks, or as needed. If you have a kitten, though, this number may be different—you will have to decide on your own if it’s time for them to be trimmed. To trim your cat’s claws, you’ll need:

• A cat claw trimmer (available at any pet store)
• A pair of scissors for backup

Offer scratching posts and pads

• Offer scratching posts and pads. You can also buy a commercially-made cat scratcher or just make one yourself.
• Be careful about the type of scratching post you choose, though; it’s important to make sure that your cat will actually like it before you spend money on one. Cats’ preferences vary widely, so pick something they’ll like!
• It should be tall enough for them to stretch their full body on (like if they were standing up) and sturdy enough to support their weight while they do so without tipping over or collapsing under them (it shouldn’t be made out of cardboard). The best practice is usually buying two different types: one vertical surface with a horizontal bar across it so the cat can rest its paws in both directions if desired, plus another smaller wooden cylinder that makes noise when rubbed against by claws (this helps keep cats interested in using this particular object).

Cover off-limit areas with tape or foil

If you have furniture or other items that your feline friend can’t get to, cover them with tape or foil. Cats don’t like the feeling of these materials on their paws, so they’ll stop scratching when they can’t find an acceptable place to scratch.

Buy a squirt bottle

You can buy a squirt bottle for cats. Cats don’t like water and will stop scratching when sprayed with it. You can also use the spray bottle to spray other things around your house, such as furniture and carpeting.

Use a deterrent spray

The next step is to use a deterrent spray. The sprays are usually made from citrus oil or essential oils and are designed to smell unpleasant to cats.

The only problem with using deterrent spray is that it can be really annoying for your cat if you use it directly on them or even on the couch where they scratch. Instead, try spraying the furniture instead! Cats don’t like the smell of citrus, so this may work well for you.

Just remember not to use any kind of spray on your cat’s paws because this could sting their skin if they rub up against something afterwards (such as another object in the house).

Cats can be easily trained to not scratch if you follow these methods.

Cats are smart and they can be trained to do a lot of things, including not scratching. Cats have a natural instinct to scratch and they need to scratch in order to mark their territory and stretch out their muscles. Make sure you don’t punish your cat for doing this though because it will only make them feel guilty, which can lead them to become stressed out or depressed.

The best way to train your cat not to scratch is by giving them something else that they can do instead of scratching. For example, if you catch your cat scratching at the door frame then give them an empty cardboard box so that they can use it as a new toy instead of scratching at the door frame. This way your cat will know that there is nothing wrong with using the box but if he/she tries using it outside then he/she will get scolded by his/her owner (in a nice way).

It takes time but with patience and consistency eventually your feline friend will learn what behaviors are acceptable versus non-acceptable!

Conclusion

Cats can be trained to not scratch if you follow these methods.