Is it possible to break cats of the scratching on couches habit?

Question

Should I have them de-clawed? or is there a more humane method of breaking them of this annoying habit?

Answer 1

I would never tell anyone to declaw their cats because it's just inhumane. Instead, use a water gun if you want to make it fun for you or what I did for my cats to stop was:

Stuck them in a room together for two weeks with just a scratch post and they learned on their own to just use that for scratching purposes.

Answer 2

Just spray them with a squirt Gun or somethingg. Works for me then once they learn.. Then once they see it normally theyll stop. But if its a really nice couch i wouldnt recomend Spraying anything than water on themm. unless its safe for that Fabric.

Answer 3

I know there are some special sprays you can put on your furniture. They smell for about five minutes, and cats won't go near them after that. They don't effect you, except for the first few minutes. Try asking at a pet store if you're interested in this. If you don't want to spray (as it can occasional wreck some furniture), try getting your cat a scratch post. Every time he scratches the furniture, pick him up and bring him to the post.

Do NOT declaw him. If the cat ever gets lost or in a fight, he will not be able to hunt or protect himself.

Answer 4

If you decide to declaw your cats - do some research and learn exactly what you are doing to them.  The term "de-clawing" is misleading as it is actually amputation down to the first joint in the toes.  It should never be done to a cat older than 2 years.  In fact, many people strongly feel that it is inhumane (it is actually illegal in some jurisdictions).  I had my cat done and greatly regretted it because of the pain he went through.  He is now 13 yrs old and I still find him holding up his front paws sometimes.  He also has pain when jumping down from a high surface.  He was done at 2 yrs old.  You could try getting several scratch posts around the house and using a spray bottle with water in it and squirt them whenever they scratch on the couch.  

Answer 5

no never de-claw a cat, first you must supply a scratching post, then where ever the cat is scratching hang a light wight plastic shopping bag, just cut it open and hang it with straight pins, with in a few days the cat will stop scratching there. Have a nice day

Answer 6

De-claw them??

Answer 7

If you are in the room, a water pistol will do the trick, they soon learn even if you are only gesturing with it..

Answer 8

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 training them to use a scratch post, because once they establish a regular place to scratch they will always use it. Temporarily cover the furniture that you want to protect so that you conceal their claw scent and put a scratch post next to the couch.  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 cats you have, but part of their desire to scratch is to mark territory, so it's a good idea if they each have their own scratch post. 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 cats 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/

Be patient, it can take some cats longer than others to catch on, but with kindness and encouragement, all cats can learn claw manners.

Answer 9

There are a couple of different things you can do.  I agree with the other responses on here about declawing.  It is extremely painful, and takes quite a while for the cat to recuperate.  You also have to use clean shredded newspaper in the litter box every day so the cat doesn't get an infection.  

1)  You can get clear double sided tape at any hardware store.  Put it on the couch where the cat seems to scratch.  It will break them after a while, and also does not look tacky.

2)  Instead of declawing the cat, you can have another much more humane surgery done where the vet goes in and clips the tendon that allows the claws to extend and retract.  It is a much faster recovery time for the cat and much less painful.  You only do the front paws though.  

I hope that helps, I just don't want to see any animal go through the surgery of declawing.  Imagine someone cutting your fingertips off.  That essentially is what happens when you get a cat declawed.

Good luck!

Answer 10

Yes, use cat NO!  You can get this at any pet store. We did that, AND we did an odd thing.  We put bubble wrap on the area the cats were scratching - the noise scared them so much they didn't need a second coating of cat NO! *L*  Also there are claw covers you can get a pet stores that will keep them from scratching furniture and are VERY easy to attach (or the groomer can do it for you).

Do they have scratching post near there?  They need places to scratch in many areas of your house. Cat houses with carpeting or rope will help.  Please do not declaw your cat - when you declaw, you are taking off the up to the first joint and it can be very painful to the cats.  Some cats will even go lame from the surgery - and have pain the rest of their lives.