What Can I Use to Keep a Cat From Scratching Wicker Furniture?

Cats are driven by their instincts to scratch surfaces in their territories. They select a small number of objects that stand out and return to them to leave their marks over and over again. Outdoors, they may look to a tree or a fencepost to satisfy their urges, but indoor cats sometimes seek out furniture to scratch. The rough, textured surface of wicker furniture lends itself well to a cat's scratching and marking habit, but you can take steps to save the wicker in your home.

  1. Furniture Covers

    • A sheet may suffice to make your cat's favorite scratching chair unappealing.

      Try covering your wicker furniture with fitted covers, plastic or sheets to change its texture. Cats tend to scratch surfaces like leather, carpet and wicker more often than smoother surfaces. Your cat may choose to leave the wicker furniture alone if he finds its new surface unfamiliar. If your first choice of cover doesn't work, try another material until you find one the cat will find unappealing.

    Deterrents

    • A cheap squirt gun can serve as a cat deterrent.

      Spraying your cat with water when she moves close to wicker furniture may have an effect. If the cat experiences the same unpleasant results every time she goes to a specific place, she may associate that place with unpleasantness. Use a simple spray bottle if you are confident you can always catch your cat in the act. Otherwise, consider an automated cat deterrent. Automated devices use a motion sensor to detect approaching cats and trigger a valve to release a quick jet of pressurized gas. A sudden, loud hissing sound accompanies the release to frighten your cat away.

    Claws

    • Molded soft plastic claw covers come in many sizes and colors.

      Having your cat declawed is one way to prevent scratching, but some people consider the procedure cruel and inhumane. An alternative to declawing is regularly trimming your cat's claws to keep them dull. Claw covers are another option. Several manufacturers produce soft, plastic claw covers that slip over each of your cat's claws and stay in place with a pet-safe glue. Claw covers remain in place for about six weeks, after which you have to trim your cat's claws and attach a new set of covers.

    Scratching Posts

    • An attached toy may encourage your cat to favor his scratching post.

      Give your cat alternatives to wicker furniture by providing him with scratching posts. Introduce the scratching post by placing it next to the covered, damaged wicker so he sees it when he goes to his normal scratching area. After he adjusts to marking the scratching post, try moving it to a different part of the home. If your cat doesn't scratch the post in its new spot, you may need to leave it in his usual spot and move the wicker furniture instead.