How to Protect Furniture From Cat Claws
How to Protect Furniture From Cat Claws
The 6 best products to protect your furniture from cat scratching
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- Here are the best products to protect your piece of furniture from true cat scratching in 2021
- The all-time product to protect piece of furniture overall
- The best scratching post
- The best furniture baby-sit
- The all-time scratch tape
- The best flooring scratcher
- The best true cat claw covers
- What else we considered
- How we tested
- Why didn't we include cat scratching deterrent spray?
- Why exercise cats scratch furniture?
- Should cats exist declawed?
- Our sources
The best product to protect furniture overall
Part piece of furniture guard, part scratching post, the Sofa Scratcher does double duty to protect article of furniture from destruction.
Pros: Combination scratcher/article of furniture guard, fits snugly against a couch or chair corner or leg; held in place past the weight of furniture instead of record or pins, made of toxin-free sisal, available in seven colors
Cons: More expensive than furniture guards and nigh standalone scratching posts, light associates required
The genius of the Sofa Scratcher Squared and its one-half-moon shaped cousin, the Sofa Scratcher, is that its sisal-covered edges fit snugly against a couch or chair, providing a true cat with a "legal" place to scratch right at the center of the room where Calder said cats prefer to mark their territory. The Sofa Scratcher lines up affluent against furniture and its wood core of prevents your true cat from sinking their claws into the upholstery.
My piece of furniture-scratching cat seemed to enjoy flexing his claws on the Sofa Scratcher Squared — the style that best fit my square-cornered piece of furniture — as much every bit he enjoyed using them on the couch, itself. He tore at the sisal guard every time he jumped onto the piece of furniture for a nap. Subsequently nearly half-dozen months of use, information technology withal looks virtually brand new.
Unlike shields and tape, both styles of Sofa Scratcher have a rectangular polycarbonate base of operations that slips nether the leg of a burrow or chair, using its weight to continue information technology in place. Felt backing on the scratcher keeps it from rubbing. The 24-inch tall square scratcher and its two five.5-inch wide panels perfectly covered both the chair and couch I tested information technology on.
Those with taller furniture may need to observe another solution such as scratch tape or a furniture guard to protect the remaining inches of piece of furniture that stick out beyond the scratcher. Considering it didn't match the shape of my furniture, the one-half-moon shaped scratcher left gaps big enough for a determined cat to nevertheless reach the upholstery.
Both Sofa Scratcher styles require very little assembly (only iii screws attach the base to the scratcher) and come in seven colors. They are made in the United states of america and their sisal fabric is toxin-complimentary.
The best scratching post
The On2Pets Skyline Sisal True cat Scratching Post has three poles and a wide, turf-covered base of operations for happy vertical and horizontal scratching.
Pros: Three horizontal scratching posts of different heights, sisal-covered posts, broad base of operations covered in scratchable artificial turf, holds up to 32 pounds, made in the United states of america
Cons: Requires light assembly
To stop a true cat from scratching furniture, the goal is not to punish the behavior simply to redirect it. Every cat has their own personal scratching preference. If your cat is scratching vertically on your furniture, information technology'due south likely they will prefer a vertical scratcher, said Quagliozzi. If they scratch carpets or rugs, a horizontal scratch pad is more probable to satisfy their want. Some, like my cat Osito, enjoy both. Whatever they like, Calder said it'south important to have multiple scratchers.
Of the seven vertical scratchers we tested for this guide, the On2Pets Skyline Sisal Cat Scratching Post was the articulate favorite. Both cats returned to the scratcher multiple times a day during the outset calendar month of testing. Six months subsequently, one notwithstanding scratches there daily.
Resembling a metropolis skyline, this scratcher has three sisal-covered vertical posts at heights of thirty.5 inches, 22 inches, and 16.5 inches bunched together at the center of a wide rectangular base of operations. The base is covered in scratchable artificial turf. Afterwards half dozen months, the scratcher'due south sisal is a fiddling shaggy but still looks dainty overall.
Made in the United States, the Skyline Scratcher is sturdy and tin withstand upwardly to 32 pounds of true cat. It requires some light assembly upon arrival. This scratcher falls in the center of the pack in terms of price. Because how oftentimes my cats use it and their continued interest in it over time, it'south well worth the cost.
The best furniture guard
Clawguard Furniture Shields are an easy-to-install, semi-permanent fix to protect piece of furniture and rug from a cat's claws.
Pros: Articulate and flexible, made from durable marine-course vinyl, withstands sharp claws, installs apace with upholstery twist pins, waterproof, comes in iv sizes, can be cutting down to smaller sizes, made in the U.s., long-lasting
Cons: Visible on piece of furniture and carpeting, upholstery pins may leave marks on frail materials
One manner to prevent a cat from destroying piece of furniture is to make the locations they enjoy scratching less desirable, co-ordinate to Sanchez. Covering an area with slick vinyl can discourage destructive tendencies.
Of the two vinyl guards I tested, the Clawguard Furniture Shields offered the well-nigh protection from scratching. Non fifty-fifty an X-acto pocketknife left marks and a push pin could but fully penetrate it with heavy pressure. The clear, flexible material attaches to upholstery or carpeting with twist pins inserted through holes that line the length of the edge. When the shield is screwed tight, the clear plastic caps on the pins look like small buttons. It took me less than five minutes to completely install ane shield.
These shields are waterproof and fabricated in the United States. Each package of two shields comes in iv sizes with six to eight pins (we tested the vii.5-by-18.5-inch extra-large version), and the shields can exist cut down every bit needed with pair of scissors. The all-time thing almost Clawguard Furniture Shields, bated from the protection they offer, is that they will last for months, if not years, without needing to be replaced.
Despite being made of clear vinyl, Clawguard Article of furniture Shields are easily visible. And while my upholstery did not show signs of having been embedded with pins when I removed the baby-sit after testing, it is possible that more frail materials will.
All in all, Clawguard Article of furniture Shields are a quick set up for making an ugly problem disappear, every bit long every bit your cat has attractive, alternative locations for carrying out their natural scratching instincts. Later on figuring out the vinyl was unpleasant to scratch on his first try, my furniture-scratching cat did not bear on it again, preferring instead to use the nearby posts and pads.
The best scratch record
Sticky Paws On a Roll temporarily deters a cat from destruction by making furniture scratching too sticky to be enjoyable.
Pros: Adheres to a variety of surfaces to prevent scratching, transparent, comes in multiple sizes including a tape coil, adhered well to piece of furniture throughout three-calendar week testing menstruation, piece of cake to remove, leaves no residual behind, non too aversive for cats
Cons: Debris clings to sticky exterior of tape, visible on furniture
Like furniture guards, scratch tape takes the fun out of scratching a couch leg or the edge of a carpet by roofing it in a cloth that prevents a cat'south claws from finding satisfaction. Of the 2 versions we tested, nosotros found the one recommended by Quagliozzi, Mucilaginous Paws, best at deterring scratching without causing unnecessary fear, pain, or discomfort. "Sticky tape is not too aversive for cats," said Calder. It may be unpleasant to scratch but doing then doesn't cause discomfort or fear.
Gluey Paws is a transparent, double-sided tape. One gummy side adheres to upholstery, carpet, and other household materials while the other sticky side faces out toward the cat. When they scratch, the tape briefly grips their nails and paws, preventing them from excavation in.
Gummy Paws comes in different shapes and sizes, just my favorite was the Pasty Paws On a Roll, which works like a packing tape dispenser to easily cutting the tape to size. Similar the piece of furniture guards, after my article of furniture-scratching true cat got his paws on the tape only once, he chose non to focus any more energy on it, turning instead to nearby posts and pads.
The biggest problem with using Sticky Paws is the reason it works in the first place: Stuff sticks to it. Dust and pilus are attracted to the sticky outer layer, although I was surprised to find that after iii weeks on my furniture, information technology had collected less debris than expected. While the interior of the tape adhered well throughout the testing period, it is more temporary than furniture baby-sit, was more than hands penetrated in our testing, and requires regular replacement. The tape left no residue behind after removal, but it's not the about aesthetically pleasing option on the market place.
The best flooring scratcher
The Our Pets Double-Wide Cat Scratcher satisfies even timid cats with its uncomplicated design.
Pros: Simple design, affordable, made from recycled materials, recyclable
Cons: Slides around some on hardwood floors
Some cats like to scratch vertically, some like to scratch horizontally, and some like a little of both. If you've found destruction on rugs, carpets and flat cushions, your cat falls into i of the latter two categories and providing them with a properly placed floor scratcher may exist the solution to your problem.
We tested iv flooring scratchers and found that the simple blueprint of the Our Pets Double-Wide True cat Scratcher was the most universally attractive to our feline testers. This affordable scratcher made from recycled corrugated cardboard is 18-inches long and ten-inches broad and raised 1.25 inches off the basis in a cardboard frame. It too comes with a small bag of catnip to help entice the feline prepare. It
The durable interior pad of the scratcher is reversible, and then even if your true cat claws through the top layer in short gild, it tin can exist rejuvenated simply by turning it over. How long that will take is specific to individual cats, but subsequently nearly 2 months of use by my ii cats, ours however looks near new. When information technology is completely worn out, the pad and frame can be recycled.
The scratcher slides around a bit on a smooth flooring when a true cat really gets clawing, but ours has never flipped over or shot across the room. Despite the sliding, this is hands downward my timid cat's favorite scratcher. She not only uses it multiple times daily but posts upwardly regularly on the pad to snooze or sentry squirrels outside the window.
While information technology doesn't have the play elements of some of the other scratchers nosotros tested, that likewise ways the Double-Wide Scratcher has nothing to distract from its true purpose: serving equally a place for cats to stretch and condition their claws.
The best cat claw covers
Soft Claws Cat Boom Caps let your cat to scratch and employ their paws naturally without causing damage to your furniture.
Pros: Flexible vinyl, fits medium-size cat claws well, variety of colors, last four to six weeks, comes with xl caps plus nontoxic adhesive and vi applicators, affordable, doesn't interfere with natural scratching and hook extension
Cons: May be difficult to become on, may fall off before four to six weeks are up, many cats will non tolerate them
Nail caps foreclose your cat'southward claws from scratching your furniture. Calder likes Soft Claws (also called Soft Paws), and out of the 2 smash cap brands we considered, we found the medium-size Soft Claws nail caps to exist better sized for a 9- to xiii-pound cat'due south claws.
Soft Claws are made of a durable, flexible vinyl that slips over the nail. The caps don't interfere with a true cat'southward power to extend or retract their claws and come in a wide variety of colors. Super strong nontoxic adhesive keeps each cap secure for four to half-dozen weeks. Each package comes with twoscore smash caps, 2 bottles of adhesive, and 6 applicators.
According to Calder and Sanchez, boom caps tin be a good solution for preventing impairment without taking away a true cat'due south ability to practice the innate behavior of scratching. While it'south important to teach a cat to focus their scratching on posts and pads, in the short term "these smash caps may be but the relief your furniture needs," Sanchez said.
The biggest drawback of boom caps is that many cats, including mine, volition non tolerate them. Fifty-fifty those whose cats are okay with their claws being handled may find getting them on and situated correctly is a claiming. It's also not uncommon for caps to fall off before their 4- to six-calendar week lifespan is up.
What else nosotros considered
All of the products we tested for this guide to protect piece of furniture from cat scratching are loftier-quality plenty to become the task done. Here are the ones that didn't quite make the cut but may work for your needs.
Scratching Posts
- Max & Marlow Alpine Scratch Mail service: At 26 inches, this was the shortest of the scratching posts we tested. Merely, with a soft bird toy attached to the top by an elastic cord and another on a leap on the base, information technology as well has the near bells and whistles. My vertical scratching true cat likes this mail service but uses the On2Pets Skyline Scratcher far more frequently, possibly because it has three posts instead of just one, plus a scratchable base.
- Petfusion Ultimate Cat Window Scratching Post: I liked the design of this scratching post, which has a perch at the superlative that suctions to a window for stability. My cats, however, did not feel the same. They used neither the sisal scratcher nor the perch.
- Smartcat Ultimate Scratching Post: The Smartcat Ultimate is tall enough to suit a total body stretch and has a sturdy wooden base of operations. However, my cats showed no interest in using either this scratcher or the similarly shaped Frisco Sisal Scratching Mail, which seems to be due to its imposing column shape.
- Frisco 33.5-inch Sisal Scratching Post: This scratching post is similar to the Smartcat Ultimate, but with a cream-color faux-fur covered base and height, information technology's less aesthetically pleasing. Like the SmartCat Ultimate Post, my cats did not use the Frisco scratcher, apparently because of its imposing column shape.
Furniture Guards
- Piece of furniture Defender Cat Scratching Baby-sit: Like Clawguard's Article of furniture Shields, these furniture guards are clear and flexible but with slightly thinner vinyl that may be easier to penetrate than the marine-class vinyl used in the Clawguard Furniture Shields. The Piece of furniture Defender comes in five sizes and carries a 100% money-back lifetime guarantee.
Scratch Tape
- Clawguard Protection Tape: Although this tape is high quality and looks nicer on article of furniture than Pasty Paws, it does not have a sticky exterior. As a result, Clawguard Protection Tape functions more than similar a temporary piece of furniture shield with an adhesive bankroll for twice the price of Sticky Paws On a Roll.
Scratch Pads
- Kong Naturals Cat Scratcher: Of the floor scratchers we tested, Kong's incline version was the second simplest pattern. While my brave cat liked this ramped scratcher, my timid one was not impressed.
- K&H Ramp and Rail Scratcher: One of my cats enjoyed both clawing this expensive inclined scratcher and playing with the ping pong assurance embedded in its base. He unfortunately lost interest in information technology within a calendar month, even when I sprinkled it with catnip and moved information technology to different locations in the dwelling house.
- Bergan Star Chaser Turbo Scratcher: Both of my cats enjoyed the light-upward brawl that rolls around the rail that encircles this scratch pad. I even chose it as one of our favorites for Insider Reviews' guide to interactive cat toys. But while both liked the ball, just one of my cats was interested in using the scratch pad at the Star Chaser'southward center.
Boom Caps
- Purrdy Paws ($13): These blast caps were similar in quality to Soft Claws and they stayed firmly glued to our scratcher fork throughout 5 weeks of testing. They are, notwithstanding, about l% longer than Soft Claws, which some cats may find bad-mannered.
How we tested
All of the products were provided equally editorial review samples by their manufacturers with the exception of the nail caps, Max and Marlow Alpine Scratch Post, and Furniture Defender Cat Scratching Baby-sit, which Insider Reviews purchased.
In an effort to considerately compare the products in each category of this guide, I devised the post-obit tests:
Scratch test
To determine how the furniture guards and scratch tape would hold up over time, I scratched them with three different tools: a fork, a push pin, and an X-acto knife. Each tool was dragged beyond the same department of the product 50 sequent times and I noted if whatever penetrated the fabric and how long it took to do so.
Penetration test
I used the same three tools in the penetration exam. I conducted three trials with each tool as I attempted to brand a hole through the cloth. First, I applied lite pressure, so medium pressure, and finally, my full strength.
Smash caps test
Because neither of my cats volunteered to endeavor out the smash caps, I tested their longevity by sticking two caps from each make onto the tines of a plastic fork. Each week over a menstruum of five weeks, I scraped the fork on a scratcher 100 times and looked for whatsoever shifting or loosening of the caps.
Longevity test
Our all-time overall product and our meridian scratching mail service have remained in use since testing for the first version of this guide began in October 2020. I assessed each to identify any artful or functional deterioration in their material over time.
Cat concenter test
I doused each floor scratcher and scratching postal service with catnip and introduced them to my cats. I placed each in the locations they prefer to scratch and rotated them weekly, noting which scratchers they avoided, which they used occasionally, and which they returned to again and again.
Why didn't we include cat scratching deterrent spray?
Although a previous version of this guide included scratching deterrent spray, our experts confirmed that they are non helpful for redirecting article of furniture scratching. "They don't really work, and they're an aversive," said Calder.
In animal beliefs, an "aversive" is any tool or technique that uses discomfort, hurting, fear, or intimidation to force an animal to change their behavior. Deterrent spray is aversive because it assaults a cat's extremely sensitive senses of smell and taste, making them sneeze and cough.
Preventing a cat from practicing inappropriate scratching by using scratch tape or furniture guards combined with training that teaches them to honey scratching appropriate toys like scratching posts or pads is a more than effective long-term strategy for changing their behavior than aversive tools and techniques. "Our goal is not to scare the true cat, it's more about finding out why the behavior is occurring in the first place," said Calder.
Why do cats scratch furniture?
Scratching is a natural, instinctual behavior for cats, according to Sanchez. "Scratching serves many functions for a cat, including a communication tool that leaves both olfactory property and visual marks at a site, a way to clean and condition the claw beds, and a bang-up manner to stretch the muscles of the legs and toes," she said.
Cats who don't have like shooting fish in a barrel to admission scratching posts or horizontal scratch pads may plough their claws toward furniture and carpeting. But simply owning a scratching mail or pad isn't helpful if it's not in a place your cat likes to scratch. Cats need a variety of choices in various locations to be fully satisfied. Sanchez recommends placing them in high-traffic areas and nearly your true cat's favorite resting spots.
Some other reason your true cat may prefer your furniture to a scratching post or pad? The material it'south made from. "Some cats will strictly scratch on softer materials such as cardboard boxes or scratch pads, while other cats will only utilize carpeted or tall, sturdy posts," said Sanchez. Many cats enjoy scratching a sisal rope or cloth, but some may find other materials more than attractive. If your true cat is attracted to carpet, for case, Quagliozzi recommends framing a piece of carpet for them to utilize.
How to Protect Furniture From Cat Claws
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