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The scene is all too familiar for pet owners: You bring home your new furry little friend, allow them to roam free in their new surroundings, and before you have a chance to take them out back, set up their litter or place a scratching post near your sofa, you notice them completely ruining your furniture. Luckily, you’re not alone in this experience. “Most pet owners deal with some form of damage from their pets at some point in their lives,” says Dr. Elizabeth DeLomba, DVM, a senior veterinary services consultant at VetriScience.
Fear not: We tapped the pet behavior pros to find out how you can keep your precious furniture unscathed in the presence of cats and dogs.
Best ways to stop pets from scratching and ruining furniture
Instead of throwing techniques at the wall and seeing what sticks, DeLomba says to first meet with your veterinarian to address any underlying issues, since anxiety or urinary problems might contribute to these behaviors.
Next, you can try the practice of redirecting their energy. If your cat gravitates towards vertical surfaces, DeLomba says to offer them a scratching post in that silhouette featuring their preferred material. “If your cat prefers a horizontal surface, try a cardboard scratcher on the floor where they’re demonstrating this behavior,” she says.
If your couch is a primary cause for concern with its plush pillows, blankets and throws, avoid playing on it altogether, recommends Dr. Jennifer Sperry, veterinarian and spokesperson for AKC Pet Insurance. Instead, “Make sure you play with your pet on durable, appropriate surfaces to reinforce that the sofa is for relaxing,” she says, with at least 25 minutes of interactive exercise and play time twice daily to allow them to enact their natural behaviors.
DeLomba says if a pet is particularly fond of, say, shredding pillows, “I’m sorry to say, but the pillows probably need to go, and I would be cautious about offering them stuffed toys as they may generalize this back to your throw pillows.”
Ultimately, it’s best to err on the side of caution and assess the importance of your belongings. “Personally, I know my pet is more special to me than an object and if the object has sentimental meaning, I would remove it from the environment until it is safe,” says DeLomba.
The best items to help deter your pets from ruining furniture
To deter inappropriate chewing, DeLomba recommends grabbing a bitter spray. This two-in-one solution is suitable for furniture, clothes and more and helps redirect your dog’s scratching and digging. The added benefit of calming tea tree essential oil helps relieve hot spots caused by swelling or open wounds within their coat.
If your cat is going to the bathroom where they shouldn’t be, DeLomba recommends not only optimizing their access to their litter box (i.e.: ensuring the entrance is free of obstacles or the size can fully accommodate them), but increasing the number of litter boxes in your home. Here at Underscored, we wholeheartedly recommend the Litter-Robot 4 for its wide dome shape to promote privacy, its ability to self-clean and thereby encourage frequent use and its next-level odor control for an overall cleaner and happier home. Senior lifestyle editor Tamara Kraus says hers has basically changed her life, especially when traveling.
When it comes to pets, urine begets urine in that they may be inclined to go to the bathroom on furniture if they smell urine or feces from a previous mess. Sperry says to “clean any prior messes on furniture with an enzymatic cleanser to remove odors only detectable by the canine and feline nose.”
“If the behaviors are placing the pet in danger, crating them or restricting their access to certain areas may be necessary,” says DeLomba. This stylish option offers them a cozy place to rest and regroup along with a smart surface for you to stash your drink, table lamp or phone. Available in four sophisticated colors, it’s a more comforting option than its sterile metal counterparts.
In your pursuit of preventing your dog from ruining your furniture, you should address the root of their excess energy with engaging activities, according to Dr. Mondrian Contreras, DVM, Pumpkin Pet Insurance veterinary expert. “It's important to find acceptable activities for your pup, play games with your dog outside and not just leave them alone outside, regularly work on training activities with positive reinforcement and help your dog get a lot of exercise.” This soft and pliable frisbee is just *so* fetch.
Those little paws and toe beans sure are cute, but the razor-sharp claws beneath can really do a number on your prized upholstery. “Putting plastic nail caps on cats can help prevent the destruction of furniture as it blunts the nails,” says Contreras. These nail caps come in a range of sizes and last up to six weeks.
It's not hard to see why a bored pet would sink their paws into something fun and textured like a boucle chair or a shag rug. Increasing play time can help, according to DeLomba, so be sure to keep your space well-stocked with engaging toys. Scatter these five crinkle toys around your home for a tactile and sensory experience that’ll provide endless hours of fun.
Instead of leaving your precious couch vulnerable to cat scratches, stay prepared with this natural sisal pad that affixes neatly to flat and straight couch arms and around cushions you can lift from your couch base. It comes in both right- and left-handed sides so you can protect your best asset from all angles.
“For cats who love to scratch, there are a plethora of scratching poles available at pet specialty stores to suit every pet parent’s aesthetic preference. Just make sure options chosen are sturdy, tall and made of materials that appeal for scratching, such as loosely woven fabric or sisal,” says Dr. Danielle Bernal, DVM., global veterinarian at Wellness Pet Company. Kick your couch protection up a notch with this designer-worthy scratching post that doubles as an end table, which my cats absolutely love to destroy in the best way possible. Our editorial director Chelsea Stone's kitty is also a fan. "My beloved cat Phoebe derives so much joy from scratching one specific corner of my couch, that I’d resigned myself to having a torn-up sofa for the rest of time. No scratcher could deter her — until the Cat-e-Corner came along." Choose between sustainable maple or black walnut wood to suit your space and your choice of riser height to fit seamlessly against your couch. The best part is that the scratch pads are replaceable.
“Chewing is an exciting activity for dogs that requires a lot of focus, keeping their mind busy and taste buds happy,” says Bernal. She recommends these long-lasting dental treats to help support a dog’s proclivity for chewing. These treats also have the benefit of “cleaning their teeth at the same time to protect the four areas that vets check most [like] plaque, tartar, gums and breath,” she says.
DeLomba and Bernal both recommend double-sided tape to prevent your cat from digging their paws into your couch. But it can work well for other household surfaces too: Our senior lifestyle editor Tamara Kraus uses this popular anti-scratch tape with a strong adhesive to keep their paws off her fabric headboard.
Our experts all agree you want to aim for at least one scratching post per cat, with plenty of toys that offer the same option of scratching and digging. However, you might need an extra helping hand in directing them towards said toys. “Pheromone sprays like Feliway can encourage cats to use scratching toys,” says Sperry.
That plush armchair might look and feel appealing to both you and your pet, but according to Contreras, there’s lots you can do to keep it off their radar. “This can be done in a variety of ways like putting a plastic cover on furniture, using tinfoil on the surface, using a scat mat and even installing motion detectors that can disrupt your pet's behavior.” While it’s not the most aesthetically pleasing option, you’ll gain peace of mind knowing that chair goes untouched when you’re not around.
For dogs that nibble on hard surfaces, “offer them acceptable chewing alternatives like Kong toys,” says DeLomba. As a fun ew43 treat that’ll keep them busy and satiated, Contreras recommends filling it with peanut butter. This one is one of our favorite fillable toys we've tested.
They may hiss or squirm, but trust the experts: getting those nails under control will do wonders in preserving your home, so be sure to invest in this easy-to-use nail trimmer with ergonomic handles and sharp blades that won’t require multiple passes. “Frequent nail trims are extremely important to help prevent destruction of furniture,” says Contreras.
They’re not doing it to deliberately upset you — promise. “In most cases, they’re just doing what comes naturally,” says DeLomba. “Wild cats claw on trees to define their territory markings.”
So, what’s going on when they gnaw on your favorite rug or use your couch as a scratching post? “While it may feel personal, the reality is that for our pets, it’s a behavior that has evolved over thousands of years as a way of establishing ownership, communicating with others about their presence and status and even creating a sense of security by reducing conflicts and setting boundaries with other animals,” says Bernal.
Bernal explains that most cat behaviors stem from evolution where survival relied on marking territory using both scent and visual cues. “Anatomically designed with scent glands in their cheeks, chin, forehead and base of their tail, cats will use these areas to mark territory through rubbing their face or tail on objects to transfer pheromones that signal ownership of an area,” she says. Cats also possess scent glands in their paws, so the act of scratching also allows them to transfer their scent on the area, further signaling dominance and ownership of the area.
Self-care
Evolution aside, scratching for cats can serve as their own form of self-care, according to Bernal, “such as claw maintenance to keep them clean, sharp and functional. It’s also a way to release pent-up energy, anxiety or stress or can simply be a solution for stretching their muscles and solving their boredom.”
Anxiety
Dogs are a bit of a different ballgame, with destructive behaviors often stemming from stress and anxiety, according to Bernal. She says they may also be learning to cope with issues like separation anxiety, phobias like thunderstorms or fireworks, boredom and pent-up energy (which makes an even greater case for those long daily walks or games of catch).
Discovery
Not every digging and scratching dog is in distress, however: “In dogs, we may also see chewing behaviors, especially with puppies who, like human children, put everything in their mouths to help learn about the world around them,” says DeLomba.
Dominance
If a cat or dog urine stain on your new designer rug is completely stressing you out, know your pet didn’t get lost on the way to the litter or pee pad. What’s likely happening, according to Bernal, is that they’re exhibiting urine spraying or marking (common among intact, non-neutered males), to leave a strong scent that conveys presence, identity or reproductive status. It can occur, for example, when a new animal, roommate, partner or baby joins the household.
Texture
A pet’s personal texture preference can play a significant role in their digging, scratching and soiling habits. DeLomba explains that both dogs and cats tend to be incredibly texture-oriented, with dogs gravitating towards the act of chewing on wood or hard textures or shredding pillows and cushions. Cats, alternatively, can be a bit more unpredictable when it comes to their relationship with texture. “For example, my cat loves to shred the edge of my chaise with a brocade fabric, but won’t touch the microfiber or leather,” she says. “I have other friends whose cats will claw leather, so it depends on the cat.” Unfortunately, you won’t really know if your cat loves or hates the likes of velvet or velour until you introduce them to it.
FAQs
While cats may seem stubborn and set in their ways, there are a number of training tricks you can use to help them deviate from your furniture. A scratching post is a great deviation method, but you’ll want to first train them to use it. “When first setting up the scratching post, help your cat know that this is an approved area to scratch by engaging in play around the post or even using catnip or toys to attract them to the area, and of course, through positive reinforcement with tasty cat treats,” says Bernal.
For dogs, Contreras says you can help them find alternative digging spots by hiding toys or treats and encouraging them to dig in those areas. “Correct your dog immediately if they’re digging in an inappropriate spot and guide them to the designated digging area, then reinforce good behavior,” he says. “Rewarding your dog for going to the correct spot teaches them your expectations as well.”
While frustrations are bound to arise, scolding your pet won’t do them any favors. Bernal says you want to work on “building their confidence through gradual desensitization and counterconditioning techniques.” If this all sounds a little daunting, she recommends consulting your veterinarian or a dog trainer for any underlying issues. “Even for pets without anxieties, behavior training can help teach dogs accepted and non-accepted behavior commands like “leave it” and redirect them to appropriate toys or activities when they start scratching or chewing on something inappropriate,” she says.
Our experts agree a non-toxic citrus-based spray is a smart way to naturally deter cats from your furniture. Felines have an incredibly sensitive sense of smell, so a citrus scent might feel too overpowering for them to hang around for extended periods. Angry Orange makes a popular option that’s suitable for use on both cats and dogs.
You can easily keep your pets off your favorite furniture and household pieces by incorporating deterrents, says Bernal. “Covering furniture with materials that deter cats scratching such as double-sided sticky tape, aluminum foil or plastic covers and even applying unpleasant odors like non-toxic citrus sprays can help in the immediate first steps of addressing these issues.”
If you’re buying new furniture and want to consider your cat’s tendencies,be sure to opt for materials that are more tightly woven “as opposed to delicate fibers like silk, tweed or velvet where claws may be more easily caught by accident and encourage more scratching,” says Bernal.
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