Kitty won't stop scratching my chair
July 15, 2018 10:20 PM Subscribe
How do I keep my cat from scratching the back of my office chair?
This is the little stinker.
He has a scratching post. He uses it. But he also likes to jump up on the well-padded back of my good Office Master chair and scratch it. He definitely knows better - I tell him no every single time I catch him doing it, and he jumps right down. But that doesn't stop him from jumping up and scratching in the first place.
My chair can't take much more of this. As I see it, my best option is probably to make some kind of slipcover out of something he won't enjoy scratching so much, but what kind of fabrics do cats not enjoy scratching? Help!
This is the little stinker.
He has a scratching post. He uses it. But he also likes to jump up on the well-padded back of my good Office Master chair and scratch it. He definitely knows better - I tell him no every single time I catch him doing it, and he jumps right down. But that doesn't stop him from jumping up and scratching in the first place.
My chair can't take much more of this. As I see it, my best option is probably to make some kind of slipcover out of something he won't enjoy scratching so much, but what kind of fabrics do cats not enjoy scratching? Help!
We found the double-sided sticky tape strips to be surprisingly effective and unobtrusive on our chairs/couches.
posted by alygator at 11:40 PM on July 15, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by alygator at 11:40 PM on July 15, 2018 [2 favorites]
Cover his nails with SoftPaws
posted by Jacqueline at 11:45 PM on July 15, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Jacqueline at 11:45 PM on July 15, 2018 [1 favorite]
He is marking his territory with scent glands in his paws. You need to mask that scent or remove it. If you get an orange scented spray and spray the back of the chair it will repel him. Another option is to dab a solution of bio washing powder and water on the fabric and it may remove enough of the cat odour to stop him going back to it.
posted by CaryD at 2:05 AM on July 16, 2018
posted by CaryD at 2:05 AM on July 16, 2018
Get a squirt bottle and use it when he puts paws on the chair.
Learn to clip his claws. Just the tips, frequently, to get them pretty short.
Distract him. Tie a small plastic object to the doorknob for him to be around. Get catnip toys. Ping pong balls.
posted by theora55 at 3:32 AM on July 16, 2018
Learn to clip his claws. Just the tips, frequently, to get them pretty short.
Distract him. Tie a small plastic object to the doorknob for him to be around. Get catnip toys. Ping pong balls.
posted by theora55 at 3:32 AM on July 16, 2018
Sticky tape is remarkably useful for discouraging the behavior but I am always first to get my hair stuck in the tape.
Another thing to try is covering it with the plastic that they use to keep carpet clean in show houses; it's slightly sticky on the side you put on the chair and smooth on the outside. The slick surface isn't as appealing to some kitties.
posted by mightshould at 5:26 AM on July 16, 2018
Another thing to try is covering it with the plastic that they use to keep carpet clean in show houses; it's slightly sticky on the side you put on the chair and smooth on the outside. The slick surface isn't as appealing to some kitties.
posted by mightshould at 5:26 AM on July 16, 2018
I've found single-sided cellophane tape to be plenty effective.
posted by polecat at 1:45 PM on July 16, 2018
posted by polecat at 1:45 PM on July 16, 2018
Also note that if he's doing it to get attention, like one of our cats does, it works, since I immediately scold him, but then give him a little petting. So, yeah, gotta train the owner ...
posted by intermod at 4:08 PM on July 16, 2018
posted by intermod at 4:08 PM on July 16, 2018
Response by poster: I found a simple solution: draping a sweater over the back of the chair. For some reason, kitty does not like to scratch the chair through the sweater!
posted by all the light we cannot see at 3:57 PM on September 30, 2018
posted by all the light we cannot see at 3:57 PM on September 30, 2018
« Older Resources to help someone detained by ICE in... | Starting a Spanish practice group at my job Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by k8t at 10:24 PM on July 15, 2018