The shields are made from marine grade vinyl that is impenetrable by cat claws. We operate independently from our advertising sales team. Carpeted is good, but roped bases are the gold standard and last longer. Consider wrapping blankets around the cushions. Sofa-Scratcher Squared Cat Scratching Post, On2Pets Skyline Sisal Cat Scratching Post, Sticky Paws comes in different shapes and sizes. Best product to protect furniture overall. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. In animal behavior, an "aversive" is any tool or technique that uses discomfort, pain, fear, or intimidation to force an animal to change their behavior. Turquoize Reversible Sofa Protector. Furniture Protection. According to Calder and Sanchez, nail caps can be a good solution for preventing damage without taking away a cat's ability to practice the innate behavior of scratching. Gorilla Grip's slipcover come with a … We protect any piece of furniture, whether you have leather, pleather, suede, leatherette, or upholstered furniture -- we stop cats from scratching them all! Get it as soon as Thu, Sep 24. Even those whose cats are okay with their claws being handled may find getting them on and situated correctly is a challenge. These shields are waterproof and made in the United States. All of the products were provided as editorial review samples by their manufacturers with the exception of the nail caps and Furniture Defender Cat Scratching Guard, which Insider Reviews purchased. ... Keep your cat entertained. This article was co-authored by Lauren Baker, DVM, PhD. Even leather chairs can benefit from protection, as claws can leave permanent scars in leather. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. "Our goal is not to scare the cat, it's more about finding out why the behavior is occurring in the first place," said Calder. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. They are made in the United States and their sisal fabric is toxin-free. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. The material it's made from. in San Francisco, California. But just owning a scratching post or pad isn't helpful if it's not in a place your cat likes to scratch. Especially great … Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. If the absolute only reason you’re interested in couch covers is to keep your cat from scratching the sofa up, this pet training mat may do the trick better than any cover on this list. One sticky side adheres to upholstery, carpeting, and other household materials while the other sticky side faces out toward the cat. Despite being made of clear vinyl, which the company claims will not cloud or yellow over time, Clawguard Furniture Shields are easily visible. Why has my spayed indoor cat started spraying like a tomcat? This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. Calder likes Soft Claws (also called Soft Paws), and out of the two nail cap brands we considered, we found the medium-size Soft Claws nail caps to be better sized for a 9- to 13-pound cat's claws. They scratch to stretch and condition their claws. By clicking ‘Sign up’, you agree to receive marketing emails from Business Insider since, “No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention”. If you don't want to always keep a cover on the furniture, you can lay down a towel where your cat usually likes to rest. Finding a job is hard. For each product, I evaluated how quickly and easily it was to set up. I have a Feliway cat plug-in, but so far it's not helping. Get it now on Libro.fm using the button below. A gift all cat owners will appreciate. It’s a surgical procedure that involves removing the last bone in each of your cat’s toes to prevent the claws from regrowing. Deterrent spray is aversive because it assaults a cat's extremely sensitive senses of smell and taste, making them sneeze and cough. Pros: Three horizontal scratching posts of different heights, sisal-covered posts, broad base covered in scratchable artificial turf, holds up to 32 pounds, made in the United States. Super strong nontoxic adhesive keeps each cap secure for four to six weeks. Felt backing on the scratcher keeps it from rubbing. Dust and hair are attracted to the sticky outer layer, although I was surprised to find that after three weeks on my furniture, it had collected less debris than expected. With guards and tapes, I compared features like the thickness of the material and how it held up to three weeks of testing. We keep forgetting that they destroy anything valuable in our home. Unlike shields and tape, both styles of Sofa Scratcher have a rectangular polycarbonate base that slips under the leg of a couch or chair, using its weight to keep it in place. Our clear poly cat furniture protectors save upholstery from cat clawing and scratching without dangerous sprays or chemicals. Don’t declaw your hat. How to Protect Furniture from Cats: 10 Steps (with Pictures) After more than two months, it still looks brand new. We frequently receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. AUJOY Stretch Sofa Cover. Resembling a city skyline, this scratcher has three sisal-covered vertical posts at heights of 30.5 inches, 22 inches, and 16.5 inches bunched together at the center of a wide rectangular base. Subscriber At just under $50, this scratcher was also the second most expensive we tested, with the exception of the hybrid Sofa Scratcher products, but based on how frequently my cats used it versus its competitors, it's well worth the additional cost. Here are 7 simple tricks to keep your cats off your furniture. Ameritex Couch Cover. The base is covered in scratchable artificial turf. The aesthetics of the scratching posts, which Calder recommends placing at the center of a room, were also evaluated. Due to the wide variety of products tested for this guide, we did not use a single testing strategy. Make these tight enough for the cat to be unable to unpick the cover. Email us at reviews@businessinsider.com. Use Cat Repelling Mats and Pads This is by far the most efficient way to get your cats to avoid your furniture. It’s always said that an empty mind is the devil’s workshop. To a cat, furniture may seem like a natural place to scratch. Cats need a variety of choices in various locations to be fully satisfied. Included with your purchase: ★ 2 Sheets of Plastic sized according to the size you choose (either 8" x 6", 12" x 6" or 18" x 6") I've had to re-rope three of the base posts once (the fourth is in a corner and doesn't get used), but it's still in great shape and the carpeted type would have needed to be replaced by now. I then tested 11 different products for a minimum of three weeks, with the exception of the nail caps, which my cats refused to try. Scratch posts needed to be put together, furniture guards needed to be pinned to upholstery, tape needed to be unfurled, and nail caps needed to be filled with adhesive. Another great tool is keeping scratching posts or climbing trees and other things that are acceptable for the cats to scratch around the house. Soft Claws are made of a durable, flexible vinyl that slips over the nail. Shape, material, and quality: With scratching posts, I looked closely at height and stability, two factors that Calder and Quagliozzi said can make a difference in whether a cat will actually use one. It’s not their fault they think our couches are giant scratching posts. If you have a cat, you should also have a well-designed cat scratcher. For example, when you see your cat scratching the post say, "Good cat!" One way to prevent a cat from destroying furniture is to make the locations they enjoy scratching less desirable, according to Sanchez. Soft Claws Cat Nail Caps allow your cat to scratch and use their paws naturally without causing damage to your furniture. Each package comes with 40 nail caps, two bottles of adhesive, and six applicators. But because most guardians don't want a scratcher in the way, they often get pushed to less desirable places at the edge of the room. Cats often use woodwork, furniture, and other surfaces in your home to sharpen their claws, which can cause substantial damage to the wood. Even the most well-behaved cats can’t help but wreak havoc on our furniture. The best thing about Clawguard Furniture Shields, aside from the protection they offer, is that they will last for months, if not years, without needing to be replaced. To prevent this from happening, purchase clear plastic protective strips of the proper size and shape from the home center, and attach them to the problem area. Some, like my cat Osito, enjoy both. Whatever the reason, preventing your cat from practicing the undesirable behavior while simultaneously offering them more attractive scratching alternatives is the intervention your damaged furniture needs. It's also a way that they communicate with other cats. In hand Cat Furniture Protector, 4 Packs X-Large Flexible Clear Cat Scratch Protector Guards with Pins for Protecting Your Upholstered Furniture, Premium Cat Scratch Deterrent Pad, 18" L X 12" W 4.2 out of 5 stars 300 £14.99£14.99 (£14.99/count) Get it Tomorrow, Oct 23 Clear poly shields snugly fit corners for chairs, sofas and love seats with special buttons included. There are three primary ways to keep a cat from scratching furniture: proper trimming, offering alternatives, and deterrence.. Instead of declawing your cat, there are a few things you can do to protect the furniture while you also train your cat. TEWENE Couch Cover. Dr. Baker received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Wisconsin in 2016, and went on to pursue a PhD through her work in the Comparative Orthopaedic Research Laboratory. Like the furniture guards, after my furniture-scratching cat got his paws on the tape just once, he chose not to focus any more energy on it, turning instead to nearby posts and pads. Although scratch tape is more temporary and less durable than furniture guards, it is easier to use and requires no upholstery pins to stay put. "They don't really work, and they're an aversive," said Calder. Here are the ones that didn't quite make the cut but may work for your needs. If, for example, they like to get on their hind legs and scratch up high, they probably won't use a low-laying scratching pad. Our chairs are looking horrible! in a firm voice and clap your hands to startle it. In the wild, the habit of scratching helps cats protect themselves against fierce predators. Of the two plastic guards I tested, the Clawguard Furniture Shields offered the most protection from scratching. in a friendly tone and rub it behind its ears or give it a treat. Dr. Baker received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Wisconsin in 2016, and went on to pursue a PhD through her work in the Comparative Orthopaedic Research Laboratory. Most of the damage cats do to furniture comes when their nails get long and sharp. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. This article was co-authored by Lauren Baker, DVM, PhD. It can also help to provide a scratching post to encourage your cat to scratch it instead of the furniture. My furniture-scratching cat seemed to enjoy flexing his claws on the Sofa Scratcher Squared — the style that best fit my square-cornered furniture — as much as he enjoyed using them on the couch, itself. 1. When the shield is screwed tight, the clear plastic caps on the pins look like small buttons. Although a previous version of this guide included scratching deterrent spray, our experts confirmed that they are not helpful for redirecting furniture scratching. They come in the form of plastic covers that are see-thru and can completely cover the entirety of the couch when you’re away from home and unable to monitor your cats (ex: Kitty Cat Protector Plastic Couch Cover … To stop a cat from scratching furniture, the goal is not to punish the behavior but to redirect it. For tips on training your cat with rewards, read on! All of the products we tested for this guide to protect furniture from cat scratching are high-quality enough to get the job done. Both Sofa Scratcher styles require very little assembly (just three screws attach the base to the scratcher) and come in seven colors. This pad helps to protect your furniture from spills, stains, and every day messes. Why didn't we include cat scratching deterrent spray? Scratching is a normal aspect of cat behavior. Cats scratch. And while my upholstery did not show signs of having been embedded with pins when I removed the guard after testing, it is possible that more delicate materials will. Made in the United States, the Skyline Scratcher is sturdy and can withstand up to 32 pounds of cat. If they do go for the sofas, putting scratching posts near the sofas, sprayed or sprinkled with catnip, to entice them to use … While you are training your cat to use a scratcher you still need to protect … Amazon.com. It took me less than five minutes to completely install one shield. When you buy through our links, we may earn money from our affiliate partners. He tore at the sisal guard every time he jumped onto the furniture to settle in for a nap, and but after several weeks, it still looks brand new. Instead of declawing your cat, there are a few things you can do to protect the furniture while you also train your cat. 4.4 out of 5 stars 921. Your cat will soon prefer its scratching post and rewards over scratching the furniture. It's also not uncommon for caps to fall off before their four- to six-week lifespan is up. They scratch to communicate and claim their possessions. This article has been viewed 69,186 times. If your cat is scratching vertically on your furniture, it's likely they will prefer a vertical scratcher, said Quagliozzi. Pros: Combination scratcher/furniture guard, fits snugly against a couch or chair corner or leg; held in place by the weight of furniture instead of tape or pins, made of toxin-free sisal, available in seven colors, Cons: More expensive than furniture guards and most standalone scratching posts, light assembly required. Don't yell or get angry at your cat. Disclosure: This post is brought to you by the Insider Reviews team. Couch protector covers cover chairs, sofas, and other furniture fully or partially, protecting from not only scratches, but a lot of times, from spills (think cat pee or cat vomit) as well. Panther Armor Furniture Protectors from Cat Scratch - 8(Eight)-Pack – Couch Guards for Cats - 4-Pack XL 17"L 12"W + 4-Pack Large 17"L 10"W Cat Scratch Deterrent - Couch Corner Cat Scratch Repellent Panther Armor 10(Ten)-Pack Cat Scratch Deterrent Tape – Double Sided Anti Cats Scratching Sticky Tape – 5-Pack XL 16”L 12”W + 5-Pack Large 17”L 10”W Furniture Protectors – Clear Training Tape The biggest problem with using Sticky Paws is the reason it works in the first place: Stuff sticks to it. Here are our top tips for keeping your cat from scratching your furniture. "But it's ugly and unpleasant to live around. The caps don't interfere with a cat's ability to extend or retract their claws and come in a wide variety of colors. Covering an area with something slick and tacky like plastic can discourage destructive tendencies. ", Pros: Flexible vinyl, fits medium-size cat claws well, variety of colors, last four to six weeks, comes with 40 caps plus nontoxic adhesive and six applicators, affordable, doesn't interfere with natural scratching and claw extension, Cons: May be difficult to get on, may fall off before four to six weeks are up, many cats will not tolerate them. Read more about our testing process at the end of this guide. To help you further, I’ve lined up some useful items on Amazon that will best protect your furniture from your cats. Amazon.com. Whatever they like, Calder said it's important to have multiple scratchers. Here are the best products to protect your furniture from cat scratching: The best product to protect furniture overall. We welcome your feedback. Turquoize Reversible Sofa Protector. Because cats like to mark their territory visually and with the scent glands in their paws, they often gravitate toward scratching items at the center of the room, according to Calder. You may need to reapply the scent deterrent once it begins to wear off. Leather furniture is nice to own but can be easily ripped to shreds by a pair of feline paws. Clawguard Furniture Shields are an easy-to-install, semipermanent fix to protect furniture and carpet from a cat's claws. Cats scratch to stretch muscles, remove old claw sheaths, and communicate with one another. Another reason your cat may prefer your furniture to a scratching post or pad? Preventing a cat from practicing inappropriate scratching by using scratch tape or furniture guards combined with training that teaches them to love scratching appropriate toys like scratching posts or pads is a more effective long-term strategy for changing their behavior than aversive tools and techniques. Learn more. When they scratch, the tape briefly grips their nails and paws, preventing them from digging in. Check On Amazon. 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Consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow and love seats with special buttons.. And carpeting although a previous version of this guide to protect furniture from cat clawing and scratching without sprays...: the best product to protect the furniture assembly ( just three screws attach the base to the vet soon! More likely to satisfy their desire leave permanent scars in leather products to protect from... Or horizontal scratch pad is n't helpful if it 's also a way to get the done... Out toward the cat to be an excellent investment in regards to saving furniture our...

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