How should we protect our sofas?

[Thisismynewname123]

I asked all of those questions earlier today. I forgot this one

Besides getting a scratching post, what is the best thing I can get before we bring her home, to try to protect our sofas from our new kitten? I don't want them covered in plastic the whole time (although if that's the only solution, then we'll have to). Is there anything else we can do? Should I not even bother worrying about the carpet (which is stairs and upwards. There is no carpet downstairs), or is there a way we can protect the stairs?

[dementedpixie]

Have never had issues with the couch (it's leather). They occasionally scrabble at the bottom stair but shouting 'oi stop it' sometimes works!

[EdwardCullensBiteOnTheSide]

We got a scratch post and our kitten still plucked the hell out of the newish leather sofa. And she took a particular shine to the leather dining chairs, and totally wrecked them. Honestly if you love your home don't get a cat, they're destructive little shits!
Note: we actually love our cat even if it doesn't sound like it.

[MonkeyToesOfDoom]

First things first. Accept it is no longer your sofa. After that, things will get much easier.

[dementedpixie]

Our sofas have been fine. Must depend on the cat. Maybe it's because we got 2 so they attacked each other rather than the furniture

[Toddlerteaplease]

Your sofa no longer. Actually you will have to relinquish ownership of any furniture. Your overlord will always have priority.

[dementedpixie]

One of mine regularly steals the computer chair if dd comes off it to go to the toilet. He also steals the whole couch by lying in the middle of it

[Fluffycloudland77]

You can give it whirl with throws etc before accepting the inevitable like the rest of us.

It’s worth a try.

[Thisismynewname123]

Not really the answers I was looking for, but thanks! We'll keep it in the lounge for the first few days anyway, and the sofas in there are old and need replacing anyway! I guess we'll hold off. Does anyone know if the plastic scratch protectors work?

[dementedpixie]

Haven't ever needed to use them so don't know.

[Davros]

Those cardboard scratching trays work wonders. Cheap and much better than elaborate posts

[dementedpixie]

Mine like this plus a tall scratching post we got from pets at home

[dementedpixie]

its from zooplus btw

[dementedpixie]

This is the post I have

[AftermathGirl]

I keep a spray water bottle to hand and also redirect my kitten if she tries to scratch the sofa. Plenty of scratching equipment around to redirect her to. She basically doesn't even try now and she's 5 months. No issues with the carpet. I was determined not to allow cat to scratch it after my previous cat destroyed my old sofa.

Also shut out of the room while not in there with her. Mine is kept in the kitchen overnight.

[Wolfiefan]

Never had a sofa scratched. But our pair used to get inside it and fight.
Where is the kitten coming from? Rescues normally prefer them to go in pairs.
You’ll need a quiet space for it to start with. With food and litter and somewhere safe to hide. So not the living room?

[TheSpottedZebra]

It depends on the cat, really. I've had cats my whole life, most of them haven't scratched at all, a couple have scratched a bit, in a favoured area. But of my current cats, I've had them for 1 year, 1 is dreadful for scratching. Mostly carpet, any carpet, but also chairs, sofa, wallpaper...

I obviously love him but it is quite shit. And yes, he has scratching posts, we play all the time, he has a brother to play with...

[Thisismynewname123]

I'll try the different things suggested.
It's not a rescue.
The lounge is a separate room. We do most family living in the open plan kitchen living dining, so the lounge can be a quiet room for a few days.

[Wolfiefan]

If it’s bought off gumtree or the like then please don’t.
Any decent breeder should have talked you through decisions like this.

[Thisismynewname123]

It's not gumtree but is online. The lady has answered every question I've asked. I didnt think to ask her about the sofas.

[tabulahrasa]

I’ve honestly never had an issue with any real damage to furniture... they’d try to use it as a scratching post, I’d move them to the actual one... they got in the habit of using that and then it was fine, repeat with new kitten, lol

[Thisismynewname123]

Thanks @tabulahrasa. I hope that works for us

[CSIblonde]

I've got clear stick on protectors for each end of the sofa. She does sometimes scratch the uncovered bit next to them but slinks off when she knows I've sussed her! Wish.com ,£3.

[Judystilldreamsofhorses]

Our cat has never really scratched (she favours a big tree out the back), but we have throws on the sofas because she is SO HAIRY. Now it’s getting colder she and I have a constant battle over the heated throw.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Buy yourself a new one @Judystilldreamsofhorses. When the cat takes it off you you can have the old one.