How can I stop my cats scratching my sofas? And pulling up my carpets

[milkyface]

Have two cats, brothers. Had them since they were Aprox 5 weeks (we're told they were 8 weeks but they quite clearly weren't but the state of the house we got them from we couldn't have left them)

Anyway. They won't stop scratching my once lovely fabric sofas. They've ripped them to shreds, and also put holes in the carpets by doorways (where they want to go where they're not allowed - nursery)

They're pretty chilled out so I don't think they're doing it through stress I think they just enjoy it little shits

They've had numerous scratching posts but never touched them. They've now moved onto my lovely vintage Chesterfield and I'm not happy.

What can I do? They're almost 2. Indoor cats but big three story house, plenty of room and toys.

Haven't tried feliway but is that the place to start?

Letting them out is not an option.

I'm dying for new sofas but I know they'll just rip them to shreds :(

Cover sofas in numerous throws. Get vinyl/laminate flooring. Or at least put carpet samples or that horrid plastic carpet protector gripper stuff by the doors.

Most importantly learn to accept that your house will never be as beautiful post cat arrival as it was before.

We put throws over the sofas in the conservatory because that's the ones the cats try to scratch. We also put cheap rugs over areas they like to claw the carpet.

Try putting a load of catnip down in an area they CAN scratch. Scratching is a territory thing as well as something they like/have to do. The higher up the scratches, the bigger the cat type thing.

I presume both boys are neutered?

Your house will never be a show home with cats in it. Cats scratch, shed fur, sick up furballs and generally do things just to piss owners off. But we love them anyway

Also lots of cats which ignore scratch posts still love the cardboard scratch boxes like these : www.thecatgallery.co.uk/Hagen-Scratch-Box?gclid=CjwKEAjw652_BRDfkebVrdOGkDISJAD0Q2Ru0W25_RYYVYqux2pV0pJQKxwqFV4IKKxPa-QgHYSmHBoCRsHw_wcB

Get some citrus behave spray and spray it on your sofa , also cover with throws.

Where they scratch at the doors put down sisal door mats , my cat loves them! Spray cat nip on them.

Have they got a tall scratching post?

I could have written your post, even down to be told they were 8 weeks but suspecting they were younger.

They have a cat tree, which they love just not for scratching. Mostly they like my chair, or the door frames. I tried catnip, they hate it.

You can get double sided sticky plastic for furniture, which you place on the areas they most scratch. It discourages it to a certain degree! My new cat is destroying my sofas and two armchairs, but they're old so I leave her to it. She has plenty of outdoor space but it doesn't stop her scratching the furniture!

Use a sprayer with water and every time you see them drawing claws spray them. Have used this method and has always worked a treat they soon get the message.

Oh I know my house is never going to be a show home! But I want to sell it soon so I'd prefer it if they didn't wreck my carpets haha! The grip things are those invisible ones so I'll have to get some thicker ones and hopefully that will stop the holes!

Yes we had a cat tree but they destroyed it with sheer force and knocked it over so many times so it went but they do have a scratching post but they're not arsed with it.

Should I try one of those flat ones so they can scrat that like they scrat the carpet?

They're both neutered yes. It made no difference to their boisterousness! But I don't mind that really they're lovely cats with great personalities even if they run round like mad things and on more than one occasion have drawn blood from my face

May try citrus spray, will it not bleach my sofas?!

Will also try cardboard thingy because they LOVE ripping boxes apart. I keep boxes especially for them but they shred them within minutes but hopefully something purpose built for kits will be good!

I've just resigned myself to it. I wish I could give you an answer!

Luckily only upstairs has carpet.

I made mine a 5' tall scratching post, (for a nice big stretch) but they only seem to use that in front of each other, in order to incite a 'Charlie Big Potatoes' contest.

Fortunately for my cats, I prefer them to my fairly new carpet.

I've just ordered this www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/cats/scratching_posts/scratching_posts/scratching_barrell/194645 read the reviews my friend said it was the best thing she ever bought and it's solid.

We bought a couple of these on eBay. The Blob won't use a scratching post but uses these. Don't really fit our sofa but would be ideal on a chesterfield