Natural Deterrents for Cats Scratching Furniture

Alternatives

• Before you use deterrents to keep your cat from scratching your furniture, provide an alternative place for your cat to scratch. Scratching helps them keep their claws sharp and healthy. Provide several scratching posts for your cat to use in lieu of your furniture. Purchase posts that use different materials, or allow your cat to stand and stretch to see which works the best. If your cat is hesitant to try the new scratching posts, spray them with cat nip, and praise it when it uses the posts instead of the furniture.

Hot Sauce and Pepper

• Hot sauce may keep your cat from heading to your favorite chair when it needs to sharpen its claws. Check that the sauce will not damage your furniture before applying it to a large area. Alternatively, sprinkle a small amount of pepper on the furniture to deter your cat from scratching; it is simple to remove with a vacuum.

Tape and Foil

• Cover your furniture to keep your cats from scratching. Place double-sided tape on areas of your furniture where it gravitates toward the most. Your cat will not like the sticky sensation of tape on its fur and claws and will move to other scratching alternatives instead. Likewise, place aluminum foil or plastic on your furniture to deter your cat from scratching.

Vinegar

• Vinegar may also keep your cats from scratching your furniture. They dislike the strong smell of vinegar, so place it and water in a spray bottle. Test an inconspicuous area of your furniture by spraying a small amount of vinegar to ensure that it does not stain. Spray the furniture periodically throughout the day since the smell does not linger.