Redirecting Scratching
In my experience cats will scratch if they want to scratch. There may be cats that learn to stop scratching household items and surfaces altogether. Although I would guess that the majority of cat owners are going to have to live with some amount of scratching.
If you want to preserve your home furnishings then you can try to redirect your cat’s scratching. Cats are going to scratch, so give them surfaces they are allowed to scratch! Scratching posts or cat trees are items you can give to your cat and say “scratch away and enjoy!”
Some cats like to scratch horizontal surfaces, such as the carpet. If this is the case, get your cat a horizontal scratching post and place it where they typically scratch.
Other cats like to scratch vertically. Think walls, couches, and box springs. A vertical scratching post or cat tree should be tall enough so that your cat can stretch while scratching.
Placing multiple scratching posts or cat trees around your home, and specifically in places where your cats likes to scratch (such as the bedroom or living room) provides your cat with approved scratching options.
There are also toys such as the Scratch Rattle and Roll Mouse toy for cats. Toys like this one can sit on the floor or hang from a door handle. Scratching surfaces come in a mind-boggling array of materials and shapes. Sisal, wood, and rough carpet are common materials. Shapes include flat, curved, standing straight, and inclined to name a few!
Check out this wall corner scratcher! Brilliant! If your cat insists on scratching a favorite corner this is a great solution!
We all know that cats are head strong, so don’t get frustrated if your cat doesn’t immediately stop scratching your furniture and walls. Read about Why Cats Scratch and How To Prevent Scratching.
