How to Deter a Cat From Clawing on Your Chair

Cats claw furnishings because of their instinctive need to scratch. Scratching is a stretching exercise for the cat, and it makes the cat feel happy. Scratching also helps a cat mark its territory. Because you can't stop a cat from scratching, unless you have the cat declawed, learn to deter the cat from places you don't want clawed and torn, such as your favorite chair. Approach the process of deterring a cat from scratching a chair from multiple angles and do not give up after your initial attempts fail.

Things You'll Need

  • Cat scratching post or pad
  • Catnip
  • Cat scratching deterrent tape
  • Cat scratching deterrent herbal spray
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Instructions

    • 1

      Observe the cat's clawing preferences. If the cat stands and scratches at the chair vertically, it prefers vertical scratching surfaces. If the cat jumps on the chair and claws at it horizontally, it likes horizontal cat scratching surfaces.

    • 2

      Provide the cat with suitable scratching surfaces. Place a vertical scratching post or a horizontal scratching pad, whichever best suits your cat's scratching preferences, near the current position of the chair. Provide the cat with other similar scratching surfaces throughout your home.

    • 3

      Sprinkle the new scratching surfaces with catnip. Catnip will entice the cat to sniff and scratch at the appropriate scratching surface.

    • 4

      Speak kindly to the cat and pet it lovingly when you see it scratch the appropriate surface to reinforce its good behavior. Sternly say, "No!" if you catch the cat in the act of scratching your chair. However, do not hit the cat or confuse the cat with mixed messages by shouting at it or saying its name. Do not discipline the cat after it stops clawing or it will not associate your mood with its actions. Do not expect the cat to be deterred by your unhappy mood alone; the cat will attempt to claw the chair when you are not around.

    • 5

      Cover the chair with cat scratching deterrent tape, at least for the beginning of the transition. Spray the chair with cat-safe herbal sprays intended to deter cats from spending time wherever you spray the solution.