Cats clawing sofa

FunnyUseName

:(I don't know why my 2 cats have started doing this now - one is 14, the other 12- but they are clawing my sofa to get my attention - they know I'm going to leap up to see what they want! It's driving me mad!

Has anyone got any ideas? I tried an orange oil spray but it made no difference

Thank you

bouncydog1

Cardboard scratching box sprinkled with catnip to encourage scratching elsewhere. And a plant mister filled with water for when they try to scratch the sofa!

CapricornLass

Another one for using a plant mister - though be prepared for some very Hurt and Offended glares coming your way!

They aren't feeling a bit stressed are they, for this change of behaviour? (New house/child/partner/job so that your hours are different/cat next door?)

FunnyUseName

They already have various scratchers and, up until now, I’ve only to show them the mister. I’m hoping that now the weather is warmer and I can have a window or door open, they might stop it. It’s all for immediate attention - I think they’re used to having my undivided attention!

Savvy_Sue

FunnyUseName wrote: »

It’s all for immediate attention - I think they’re used to having my undivided attention!

And do they no longer have your undivided attention?

GaleSF63

I put some clear sticky-backed plastic/fablon on the chair one of our cats was mangling. It stopped him and it wasn't too visible - in any case it was better than a shaggy chair - and a few weeks broke the habit.

For some reason he wasn't interested in the other chairs even though they were covered with the same fabric.

charlotte1994

What has changed to their routine and the amount of attention you give them? You can buy special scratching posts which fit to your sofa if the water spray bottle doesn't work

CarrieVS

FunnyUseName wrote: »

They are clawing my sofa to get my attention - they know I'm going to leap up to see what they want!

Don't leap up to see what they want then!

If you're convinced it's attention-seeking, the ideal would be to ignore them totally, and then give loads of play and affection when they aren't doing it. Obviously, if they're scratching the sofa for ages before they twig that you're not going to respond this could result in severely disfigured furniture before they learn not to bother, but you still want to avoid making a fuss of them as far as possible. Just shoo them out of the room and shut the door, then ignore them.

And above all, combine this with regular play sessions and lots of affection and praise when they're being good. Make sure they have toys and activities they can play with on their own as well, to keep them from being bored when you're busy. Things with some degree of interactivity are good - things that will move about or make a noise when the cat bats them.

FunnyUseName

I have to get up and stop them straight away cos it drives me mad to know they are wrecking the furniture. I have bespoke arm covers but it’s still the fact that I need to deter them from doing this altogether. There’s a tree that they climb and scratch less than 5 foot from the back door plus rope, hessian, cardboard, nip and toys all around the house. They are free feeders - their bowls are never empty. They both sleep in close vicinity of each other but not necessarily me. They play with each other at least once a day- and they have a rotation of toys, boxes etc I can’t see anything has changed apart from them taking me for granted.

I’m looking for a deterrent to stop them scratching a specific place - any ideas?

abssorb

FunnyUseName wrote: »

...stop them scratching a specific place - any ideas?

Try cleaning their scent off it.

Scent is a big deal for a cat. We can't detect it, but scent is a cat's way of making a house a home. Too much in one place is a problem, not enough everywhere else is a problem.

We've been rehoming cats for a while and our latest has been a big challenge. Advice like this was the most useful:
https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/how-stop-cats-scratching-or-clawing-house

Also rewarding behaviour you want and ignoring bad behaviour. Reward use of scratching post with attention / treats takes patience but works.