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Scratching is a completely natural behavior for cats. It's not something they do with a mind for destroying your furniture. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happens sometimes, and you’d probably rather not choose between your furniture and your cat.
While you can’t stop your cat from scratching altogether, there are some products you can use to minimize the damage or deter the behavior. A couch scratching post, for example, can give your cat a scratch-friendly surface or a stand-alone scratching post might fulfill his need for scratching elsewhere. Furniture scratching guards could protect your upholstered furniture as another option, or you could try a cat deterrent spray or cat nail caps.
We've rounded up our favorite products that will deter your cat from scratching your couch and other furniture.
Here are the best products to protect your furniture from cat scratching:
Read on in the slides below to check out our top picks.
The best cat scratching post to protect your couch
Why you'll love it: The Sofa-Scratcher Cat Scratching Post & Couch Corner gives your cat a surface to scratch while protecting the corner of your couch or chair.
Nothing is worse than buying a brand-new couch just to have it destroyed by sharp cat claws. There is just something about a nice piece of furniture that cats find irresistible when it comes to satisfying their urge to scratch.
To protect your investment, you have a few options, but providing your cat with a couch scratching post as a scratch-friendly surface is a simple and effective way to keep your furniture from being destroyed. Our top pick for the best couch scratching post is the Sofa-Scratcher Cat Scratching Post & Couch Corner.
Available in a wide range of color options to match any couch, the Sofa-Scratcher Cat Scratching Post & Couch Corner is designed to encourage healthy scratching but not at the expense of your expensive furniture. This scratching post fits around the corner of your couch, sliding under the leg for stability and it is tall enough to give your cat a good stretch. Covered in woven sisal fabric, this post is highly attractive to cats and it will hold up against your cat’s claws much better than your couch would.
A detailed review from Haus Panther describes the Sofa-Scratcher Cat Scratching Post & Couch Corner as attractive and modern-looking in addition to being highly effective. The ultra-thin base fits under the sofa leg to keep the unit firmly in place while your cat scratches away.
Pet Life Today comments on the benefits of the contoured shape that works well even for wide and rounded couch corners. The writer also notes that it is handmade in the USA.
The Sofa-Scratcher Cat Scratching Post & Couch Corner has a 4.4-star rating on Amazon with more than 325 reviews. Cat owners love the durability and color selection and, while there are some complaints about the price, most people agree that it is worth it.
Pros: Provides an alternative scratching surface, made from woven sisal fabric, ultra-thin base slides under leg for stability, tall enough to encourage stretching, available in a wide range of colors, works for most couches and sofas
Cons: Expensive compared to many cat scratching posts, encourages cat to scratch the furniture, may not be tall enough for some couches
The best cat scratching post
Why you'll love it: The SmartCat Pioneer Pet Ultimate Scratching Post is tall enough to give your cat a full stretch and covered with durable sisal rope so your cat can scratch away.
Because scratching is a natural instinct for cats, you can’t expect to train your cat not to scratch. In fact, any attempt to do so will only result in frustration on your part and a hefty dose of confusion for your cat. The best thing you can do if you want to keep your cat from destroying your sofa arms and table legs is to provide an alternative scratching surface — a scratching post. Our top pick for the best stand-alone scratching post is the SmartCat Pioneer Pet Ultimate Scratching Post.
Standing a full 32 inches tall and made from durable sisal rope, the SmartCat Pioneer Pet Ultimate Scratching Post fulfills your cat’s need to scratch while also giving him a full-body stretch. This scratching post has a wide base for stability, ensuring that it won’t tip or wobble. It is naturally attractive to cats and made in a neutral tone to fit with any home décor scheme, and it is quick and easy to assemble.
A detailed review from Real Simple describes the SmartCat Pioneer Pet Ultimate Scratching Post as “the stuff of cat scratching dreams.” The reviewer comments that her cats were immediately attracted to the scratching post and even a large, 13-pound cat couldn’t topple it.
The Conscious Cat likes the thickness of the sisal rope as well as the generous height that accommodates a full stretch even for larger cats.
The SmartCat Pioneer Pet Ultimate Scratching Post has a 4.6-star rating on Amazon with more than 7,300 reviews. Cat owners love the durability and how quickly it attracts their cats, though there are a few comments that the wooden top is may be too slippery for cats that like to perch.
Pros: Made with durable sisal rope, sturdy base to prevent tipping and wobbling, 32 inches tall to encourage a full stretch, naturally attractive to cats, easy to assemble, neutral color to match decor
Cons: Some cats dislike the material, wooden top may be slippery, material cannot be replaced easily
The best furniture guard
Why you'll love them: Furniture Defender Cat Scratching Guards are easy to install and provide near-invisible protection against cat scratching and rubbing.
If all else fails and you aren’t able to discourage your cat from scratching your furniture, the next best option may be to cover it with a cat scratching guard. While there are furniture covers that are designed to encourage scratching, a cat scratching guard protects the corners or legs of sofas and upholstered chairs against sharp cat claws. Our top pick for the best furniture cat scratching guard is Furniture Defender Cat Scratching Guards.
Made from this vinyl and available in five different sizes, Furniture Defender Cat Scratching Guards protect the corners and legs of your furniture without detracting from their aesthetics. These scratching guards are completely clear, and they can be installed with twist pins that won’t damage your furniture.
With a 100% money-back guarantee, these scratching guards give you peace of mind knowing that your furniture is safe under a layer of near-invisible protection.
A review from Cat Overdose confirms the durability of Furniture Defender Cat Scratching Guards, and the writer confirms that they are nearly invisible when installed correctly so they won’t detract from the appearance of the furniture they protect.
Though the product was reviewed favorably overall, you should note that the furniture guards are only available in clear and can only be used on upholstered furniture.
In addition to having a 4.5-star rating on Amazon with more than 1,000 reviews, Furniture Defender Cat Scratching Guards also carry an Amazon’s Choice award. Cat owners love the durability and low-profile design, though there are comments about the pins being too small or cats scratching around the guards.
Pros: Protects upholstered furniture from scratching and rubbing, made from durable vinyl materials, clear color is nearly invisible, easy to install with twist pins, available in multiple sizes
Cons: Some sets came with pins that were too small, cats may scratch around the guard, only designed for upholstered furniture
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