How to Manage Your Cat's Claws
If you need to protect certain pieces of furniture you can use some deterrents to make those spots less appealing for your cat to scratch
Cats will often avoid citrusscented objects so you can try using a nontoxic citrus spray near the areas you are trying to protect. 2
Lay a few sheets of aluminum foil over sofa arms or other areas you want to protect. Cats will usually avoid the area because they dont like the sound
or feeling of the foil 2
Try putting wide doublesided tape over their favorite scratching surface 2 Cats dislike the sticky feeling and will avoid the area. A commercially available product is Sticky Paws.
Consider a commercial cat deterrent. These products often work with a combination of an electric eye or motion sensor and a blast of air accompanied by a loud sound so these can be used when you are not home.
In all cases if you catch your cat scratching an area that is offlimits redirect it to an appropriate scratching post and make sure to reward it once there. It can take time to get your cat to change their habits but it will be worth it once your furniture is safe and your cat is scratching happily on its new post.
