couch dilema what to do?

We just got our new leather couch delivered yesterday. And I am already sad. The cat has clawed it twice :cry: It was a very epensive couch. The fabric old one broke and we thought we'd get something nicer.

People always told me cats don't claw leather couches only fabric ones. What can I do to stop her. The couch was nearly $10,000. And it really breaks me heart to see her ruining it like this.

Please give me some suggestions.

 

do you really mean $10,000 for a sofa?
Keep kitties claws cut and teach her to use a scratching post.
Sisal better than carpet. I've had carpet ones and my cats won't use them but the like the sisal. Also I think that cats who get carpetted cat scratching posts think they can scratch on floor carpets.
Whenever you see your cat starting to go work on the sofa take her to the scratching post...gonna have to be diligent
$10,000 for a sofa!!!!

 

We placed scratching posts on the corners of our sofas and it has prevented our cats from scratching the sofas. You can also try spraying bitter apple or citrus scents on the sofas. Using double sided sticky tape is another option until she stops scratching all together.

 

I tried the double-sided sticky tape on my sofa - my bluepoint Tilly decided it had to go (and she's declawed...done before I got her) and she literally pulled it off with her teeth while the other cats watched!!!! I wasn't impressed.
But the stuff does work

 

yes it really was that expensive . usually I hate to tell people how much things cost, but I instantly felt guilty buying somethning so expensive. I thought to get my point across that it wasn't just a normal (lol) expensive couch, I had to say it. We really thought, well if we get one this nice, we'll never have to buy another one

If I spray bitter apple will that hurt the couch? I'll try to scratching posts. Is sisal the ropelike ones? Her cat"hotel" is carpeted and the poles are the rope stuff, she has never had much interest in it. But maybe I can find a new one and put a ton of cat nip on it and then she'll like it better. She doesn't like tape that much, but it has never detered her before.

 

I also have a leather couch and yes you do have to be very diligent in your efforts!!!!

Mine don't scratch the couch but I do have to put an afghan on the cushions because my kitten likes to do the attack butt wiggle launching off the couch move and that does leave marks. I have found that rubbing it with mink oil removes the marks for the most part.

-I don't know if the sprays are leather friendly I didn't have to spray mine. Fabric was ok but I tested a spot. I wouldn't test the couch unless you don't mind a small spot if it reacts.) Test the back bottom corner that may be against a wall or sometimes the leather goes up underneath the couch you could test a small part on the underside.
-I would be afraid to put double sided tape on leather it may leave tape marks...
-You can spray "Boundary" around the couch that "may" keep them clear of the couch all together.
-Keep the nails cut !!! My mom put the "soft Paws" nail covers on her cats because of clawing the couch. Helped but was a bit of a pain to put on I had to help her once they grew out or they pulled them off.
-Buy some new toys and do play times a couple times a day. Not around the couch....
-Buy several scratching posts big and small (cats like to climb and be high off the ground) And rub Catnip all over it and teach her to scratch it. And praise her with treats when she does good.
-Use spray bottles Spray with the water bottle when couch is approached.
-or pop cans with a few pennies in them to shake when the couch is approached.
-When you are not around to supervise keep cat away from couch (close the door or keep them in another room)
-If you find her going at the couch scold her but take to the approved posts and make her scratch even if you have to do it for her (squeeze her claws out and move her legs/paws for her) Praise Praise Praise

Good luck, be firm, be diligent, be consistent

 

I just didn't realize sofas cost that much. I usually buy used furniture with 4 cats and a dog cause I'd have a stroke if one clawed it. Heck I wouldn't let anyone sit on it.
Anyway you could also try a Scat Mat. I don't like them but I guess with an investment like that you might have to take a tough approach if she won't stop doing it.
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.j ... erralID=NA

 

Hi Lil, do get some more sisal scratchers, they are great. this site has some good info
http://www.topcatproducts.com/

the best detteraant is the coins in the can, as soon as they get near it, I as suggested int eh above article, keep the couch covered unitl they learn to stay away.

The mats probably wont work because the cats will jump up on the top and the arms.

How isLuther?

 

Hi Lil - We sympathise with you. Our two Abyssinians love to claw the foot end of the bed base mattress - I have tried sprinkling pepper on the area, dabbing with meths, & spraying with floral sprays, but none of that did any good. Now we have an old folded blanket tucked in under the mattress, so they make holes in that instead, but usually they are only in the bedroom when we are & a good angry shout of their name generally stops the action straight away. We will try the coins in the can one day.
Mickey & Louie clawed the kitchen chairs, which were brand new - now the chairs look like they belong at the Tip! But what's the point of replacing them? They will do it again, so we will wait until our proposed dining/sitting area is renovated & they will not be allowed in that space (it will only be used for entertaining, few & far between times), & we will have new chairs in there.
We had Siamese cats in N.Z. - everyone said: "What did you get Siamese for? They will climb your curtains & shred them, & claw your furniture to death!" They didn't do any such thing - we never had any problems with them clawing anything at all! That was Alfie & Susie, but they didn't live forever & were gone within the first year of returning to S.A. (I think they didn't like the hot weather - neither do we!)
We love our Abyssinians dearly, but sometimes wish we had Siamese again, especially with our problem of the Abys not getting on anymore. :roll: (need to buy the Vanilla, Mary) Good Luck, Lil.

 

Thanks for all the ideas! I'll haveto see what we can get here(Germany). a brand new pet store opened up so I am hoping to go there Tuesday (Today my husband is sick, sun all stores are closed, mon he has to go to the dr)
Keep ou fingers crossed that she doesn't hurt the poor couch anymore

How do you cut your cat's claws? I have never done that.

 

How to clip cat claws:

http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/ClientED/cat_claws.aspx

 

The spray bottle really worked for me when Kyrre was young and naughty. It helped him learn what was acceptable and what was not, and now he is well behaved (almost) all the time :wink:

 

I think I would have to get a professional to cut her nails, I couldn't do that!
I always am afraid to use the spray bottle, because once I had a cat and whenever I would use the spray bottle, she would get even by sparying back.

 

clipping claws is easy. Just try to get the tips off to start with and as you get more confident go for more. If you do cut the quick (which you shouldn't since it's easy to see) remember flour or cornstarch will stop the bleeding.
It's easy - you gotta try at least once.
One of my cats is double pawed and has 28 claws. He hates his manicures....I feel if I can get 3 or 4 at one time I'm happy. Then the next night I go for more

 

I just don't see Dale staying still while I do it. When I have had to give her medicine before, I had to wrap her up in a towel. She just runs away. I am a chicken.

 

I've always cut my own cats nails and I currently have 3 cats. One that tolerates it but "yells" at me the whole time. Patches she is 14. Harley is 1 year 8 months and I had to roll him up tightly in a towel he would still bite me but in time he got better. I don't have to roll him up anymore but he still gets a bite or two in. Chopper is 6 months old and hates his nails to be done so I have to roll him up tightly and bring a leg out at a time. He is getting better each time he doesn't squirm as much.

It is something that if you want to help save your couch is a must..... It really is not that bad you can see the pink quick, just cut the clear nail point. If you have a hard time controlling your baby have another person hold by the scruff and body while you hold just the paw to squeeze the paw/nail.

With time you will become more confident and not to mention it is cheaper than taking to the vet or a groomer!! Their nails grow so quick it seems like no time has passed before I have to clip again.

I use spray bottles and they really work to re-direct my kiddo's!! I don't even have to spray just hold it and they stop doing what they were doing.

Good luck and the website that Mary posted is a great reference!!