How can I stop my kittens from clawing furniture?

Question

I have 2 new kittens who are just 10 weeks old. They have many toys and a scratch pole which they use from time to time; however, they are also causing damage to my sofa from clawing when climbing and playing! What is the best way to train them not to do this. I have tried catnip but think they are too young just yet to get the gist of this!! Also I don't want to frighten them as they are just starting to come round to being in the house.

Answer 1

I know most people think declawing a cat is mean. BUT they have new things out there so they just fall out. the claws I mean. They do it with lazers that dont hurt them! my cats had it done. He was up and running in 3 days! But dont declaw and outside/inside cat only if its inside only.   if not try useing a spray bottle on mist setting.  

Answer 2

if you shake a sheet of paper they wont like the sound and will stop. or if you spray them with a little water theyll stop. but if oyu dont want to scare them then cover your couches with blankets so they cant ruin the furniture. dont get the spary that keeps cats from scratching because i did and it made them scratch more

Answer 3

Cats have got scent glands on their paws, so once they begin to scratch somewhere, it leaves a scent that they need to top-up from time to time.  This is why it's worth persevering with the training, because once they establish a regular place to scratch, they will always use it.  Trail toys or pieces of string over it so that they grab for it with their claws.  Every time they use the post, reward them with food treats and lots of praise.  I don't know how many scratch posts you have, but part of their desire to scratch, is to mark territory, so it's a good idea if they have one each.  They also have different preferences for the substance they enjoy scratching.  Our male cat uses his post and a heavy tree branch, whereas our female cat is very fussy and will only scratch sheets of corrugated cardboard.  Offer your kittens a few alternatives, to see if they have a preference.  

The web site below has a good article on ways to prevent cats from scratching furniture which you may find helpful.

http://www.celiahaddon.co.uk/pet%20probl...

This link has good advice too and information on how to trim their claws, which will help limit accidental damage to your furniture during playtime.

http://www.catscratching.com/

Answer 4

Get a spray bottle (using water) with a long stream.  I know it sounds wierd, but it works.  Also, when you do catch them doing it, pull their tails, gently, and make a pssst sound.  That way when you do that sound in the future, they know that means NO.  The spray bottle will help also when they decide to get up on the counter and table too.  And when their old enough, get them spayed/neutered and declawed all at the same time.  The buddy plan!!!!

Answer 5

Anytime you see them clawing your furniture, gentle mist them with a spray bottle filled with water.  They may come to hate water - which I haven't seen many cats love water anyway, but it will save your furniture.  Also, you may have to be a bit quick at night since they are busy while you sleep.

Answer 6

train them not to do it by saying bad kitty every time she/he does it or ask a trainer for instructions on how to make he/she to stop doing it.

Answer 7

Just running over the furniture you really can't stop. My leather settee is really distressed even though mine never sharpen their claws on it. If they are actually sharpening on it, when they do it gently peel them off and take them to the place where they can scratch and praise them. Make sure your allowed scratching place is very solid, posts are usually not heavy enough - I have pads of carpet screwed to the wall! Also scratching is a way of marking territory so it needs to be somewhere obvious, by the door is good. You can buy double sided sticky tape to put on the furniture to put them off, they don't like sticky on their paws. But you are right you should not punish them, they can't help it.

Answer 8

Don't declaw - there is an easier option.  

Have you heard of Softclaws??  They are small plastic caps that glue onto the cat/kittens claws and as they grow they just fall off (after about 4 months) and you can replace them.  

We use them all the time and buy them from a supplier on ebay.  They come in loads of different colours and are really easy to put on.

We've got two kittens, a leather sofa and they are by far the best invention I've ever seen.  They cost about £6 on ebay, which when you consider the advantages isn't much.

Answer 9

YOU CANT THEY WILL TEAR YOUR HOUSE APART SORRY