Do you have a cat who loves to scratch the heck out of your furniture? Most cat lovers have experienced this at some point or another and while it's not always preventable, it can often be stopped with some ingenuity.
First, try spraying the area that your cat likes to scratch with something unpleasant, like bitter apple spray or vinegar. This will make it unattractive to the cat. Most cats hate citrusy scents, too, so that's another option. You can also cover areas with unappealing things your cat won't like scratching, like double-sided sticky tape or aluminum foil. Be sure to tell your cat, "No!" or make a disapproving noise while the act happens, too. If you wait until the cat is finished he or she won't understand why you are angry.
Next, place a scratching post where your cat typically likes to scratch. This will help encourage him or her to use it instead of the sofa! Once it's a habit, you can move the post and hopefully he or she will continue using it as they have learned to do.
How have you stopped cats from scratching in the past?
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
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