In nature, a cat’s life often depends on the sharpness of its claws, because they allow them to excellently climb trees, defend themselves from predators, and defend their territory from competitors. Here's why sharpening claws is for cats necessity.
During this process, pets renew the worn surface of their claws so that they are always in working order. In the natural environment, trees allow you to sharpen your claws, but what about your pet at home? This is where furniture and wallpaper come into play, which makes the owners worry about repairs. But it’s not difficult to cope with this situation: we have a few tips to make the cat be friends with the furniture, and you with the cat.
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Accustoming a cat to a scratching post
Since sharpening a cat’s claws is a necessity, it will be difficult to wean your pet off a bad habit without a scratching post . For furniture you need an alternative. The best alternative. One that your pet will like so much that he will forget the way to his favorite chair or sofa once and for all.
Choosing a scratching post
Choosing a scratching post is not an easy process. Some cats love horizontal surfaces, others vertical. How to please? Hint: your apartment . If your pet prefers to scratch wallpaper and the back of a chair, he will probably love a vertical scratching post. If a rug in the hallway or a cushion from a sofa has fallen under the attack, you should take a closer look at the horizontal one.
There are other selection criteria. While sharpening their claws, cats like to stretch well, so their pets need long or high scratching posts .
The scratching post must also be stable in order to withstand the pressure of cat paws. The flimsy design is unlikely to please the tailed ones.
The surface also plays an important role in choosing a scratching post . If it tears easily under the claws like loose fabric, rope or cardboard, your pet will appreciate it.
If you decide to make a scratching post with your own hands, do not make it from material that would resemble the carpets in your home. In this case, you give your pet a clear signal: you can fight them.
Getting used to the scratching post
The sooner you can accustom your loved one to a scratching post, the better. This is easier to do with kittens than with adult cats.
Place the scratching post next to the crime scene - a damaged sofa or chair. Ideally, let it cover the damaged surface. If this doesn’t help, move the scratcher next to the place where they sleep: after resting, cats often like to stretch and sharpen their claws.
If the cat does not pay attention to the scratching post, you can try to play with him next to him so that during the game he catches on it with his claws and leaves his scent.
You can tempt your pet with a treat by lifting it so that it has to climb onto the scratching post with its front paws.
Another option is to hang a toy on top . The pet will certainly get to it, having at the same time tried out the new scratching post.
Catnip spray will also help attract your pet . Spray the scratching post with it: the method should work.
Do not pick up the cat or run his paws over the scratching post. This may scare him away from her and reduce your chances of successful parenting. It’s better to scratch the scratching post with your hand to attract your pet. This will work better.
Cover the damaged surface with material that is unpleasant for the cat.
Transparent covers will save the sofa from claws.
If a cat scratches the furniture, it means she likes the upholstery. Then the best way to save a sofa or chair from claws is to cover the damaged surface with a material that your pet definitely won’t like. These include foil, double-sided tape, and sandpaper .
You need to be careful with foil and tape , as some cats like to play with them. If a piece of foil or tape gets into the digestive tract, it can threaten the health of your pet. Therefore, it is better to use such protective equipment under supervision.
If you don’t have time for inventions, you can buy special adhesive tape with scratch protection. or use special transparent overlays . The cat is unlikely to like them, and the material will be strong enough to protect the furniture from any attack.
We use repellent sprays
The easiest way to protect furniture from cats is to use repellent spray. These are sold at any veterinary store. As a rule, they contain odors that cats do not like at all. Spray the spray near the furniture, and the cat is unlikely to visit this place in the near future.
Citrus fruits will also help protect your sofa from cat claws: cats don’t like their smell. To make a homemade repellent spray, take water and squeeze a lemon or orange . Then, spray the surface next to the furniture or the furniture itself, if the material allows, with water. Alternatively, you can use citrus peels instead of water. Place it around the damaged furniture, this move should work!
Unfortunately, even veterinary sprays can wear off quickly, so they should be renewed.
We use rubber-based glue
Rubber glue (rubber) is a solution of rubber in gasoline
Set for repairing leather goods in different colors - liquid leather in jars
Use rubber glue, liquid leather. Rub them into the scratch and let the product dry. When the scratch is sealed, paint over the damaged area on the sofa with a special paint that matches the color of the leather furniture.
Liquid leather is an effective means for restoring leather furniture
Glued and painted over scratch on a green leather sofa
There are many products that can mask scratches on a sofa. Fortunately, people in Russia have a developed imagination. Some use markers, others use nail polish, others use wax and liquid skin.
Filling in small skin defects with a pencil
Renewing leather upholstery using affordable products
These methods are equally good and easy to use. Don’t despair ahead of time if your cat has done some mischief in the house, you know what to do!
Sofa cushion with a lot of scratches
Thorough cleaning of leather surfaces with a very gentle and effective product
Thorough grinding and repair of scratches with special compounds
Painting the leather, then final varnishing and an excellent repair result in the end
Application of “liquid skin”
“Liquid skin” will help cope with more serious damage. It comes in a convenient aerosol form. Before use, it is advisable to clean the area of furniture from dirt and degrease it. Apply the liquid in an even layer and cover with a cloth, after which it is also recommended to warm up the area with a warm iron. This type of repair allows you to disguise fairly large scratches.
Methods for restoring leather furniture
There are several main ways to get rid of damage to leather furniture, which are used depending on the degree of damage to the product:
- using olive oil as a grout;
- application of “liquid skin”;
- applying a decorative patch.
Trimming the claws
How to protect a sofa from cat claws? The best option is to trim your nails regularly. The solution will wean your pet from tearing up furniture, though only until they grow back. But if you were unable to accustom him to a scratching post or raise a pet, there are no options.
Claws need to be trimmed with special scissors, claw cutters or guillotines (this is the name of a special tool), sold in veterinary stores. Nail scissors are not suitable for these purposes: a cat's claw is different from a human's.
If you are afraid to trim your cat's claws, you can use a grinder . This special device polishes the claw and is a safer alternative to scissors. Your favorite one should like it more.
Never undergo declawing surgery under any circumstances. It entails a large number of risks for the cat's health, including infections and chronic paw pain. Regular nail trimming is a much more humane procedure.
How to trim a cat's claws?
- First, disinfect the instrument so as not to accidentally infect your pet with an infection.
- Find a bright place so you can see the claws clearly. A wrong move can result in bleeding.
- Lock your pet . If he doesn't want to give in, you can wrap him in a blanket or towel. As an option, you can take a sleepy cat so that he doesn’t have time to figure out what’s what.
- Take the paw in your hand and press on the center of the pad so that the claw protrudes. Hold it carefully but firmly so that the cat does not interfere with the process at the most crucial moment.
- Look closely . You should see blood vessels that give it a reddish hue. It is very important not to touch them while cutting!
- Step back 2 mm from the place where the vessels end. Hold the scissors perpendicular to the claw.
- Cut, file with a nail file and repeat the same with the other claws.
- After grooming, praise your pet and give him a treat .
If you accidentally touch a blood vessel, immediately treat the area with peroxide. She better stock up in advance.
Create conditions
You can provide your cat with a place where she can sharpen her claws to her heart's content without causing damage to the interior - buy or make a scratching post.
It is easy to make: a board or cut of wood is tightly wrapped with natural twine. In order for the item to attract the pet's attention, it is treated with catnip.
We buy anti-vandal covers and linings
Replaceable anti-vandal covers will help protect the sofa from cat claws. They are sold in many online stores. A number of models cover only part of the sofa, and some completely. The disadvantage of cases is that not all of them look presentable, but the advantages are obvious.
This is what a vandal-proof case with protection from cats looks like
In addition to sofas, there are also special pads. They are attached to the cat’s favorite parts of the sofa and help save them from further attacks.
In some furniture stores you can order interior elements made from special fabrics that are protected from cat claws. In this case, the appearance of the furniture will coincide with your tastes.
