Really need a new sofa but don’t want dcat to ruin it

[Mummypig2020]

Dcat has scratched our sofa, it’s where she stretches 😩 we’ve put a big scratch post near the one she’s constantly using and 90% of the time she uses the post.

We need a new sofa, it’s broken and uncomfortable but I really don’t want her to scratch it!

What’s the chances of her scratching the new one?

Also, she’s pulled a few threads on the stairs. Iv cut her nails, will the stop her doing it? 😂😩

The chances of her scratching the new one? And you really needed help on this ?? Are you for real ?? Shit - I never thought I would have said such a crass thing............. Apologies............ anyways............

I have three cats. They have wrecked every sofa I have ever bought no matter what..........

...they know when you are buying a new one.. they lie in wait. they hear the packaging come off and they walk in the room just as you are placing the new cushions in a designery way on it, and before your very eyes, out come those claws.. it matters not I say - even if it's leather, those claws will find a way in.

All you can do is keep the fecking door closed at all times. Better still that you don't even go in there. Find somewhere else to sit and from time to time go in to the room and admire the sofa and then leave.

You are doomed.

Do you reckon these covers are any good?sofalush.com/collections/sofa-cover

Try leather. Ours never used the dfs leather one.

I got cocky & spent thousands on a velvet duresta & that’s how the cat came to be banned from the lounge.

Give it up. The cat is gonna win every time.

I have 2 cats and have not changed my furniture or decorated the house since I got them. They have trashed the place but its just a waste of time and money replacing things, I am just waiting until they die (they are both elderly) and will update the house then.

I currently have 5 cats, and have always had at least two since I started living in my own at 18. My cats are indoor cats and have never damaged anything because I keep their nails trimmed. I start doing it when they are kittens and they get used to it very quickly. I also make sure they have scratching posts and pads, and mist them with catnip spray to keep them interested.

How did your cat take to having their nails trimmed?

Mine stopped scratching anything when we got them one of these cardboard floor pads. It cost about a fiver. They were never interested in the posts.

My cat has never scratched any of my furniture, it's not inevitable. Saying that new furniture is very stressful for cats as their old scent is removed. You can buy corner guards for sofas where cats tend to scratch, you can also get corner scratch mats, although I appreciate might not be the look you're going for! . I would advise a few more scratch posts /mats. I have a few on the flat horizontal ones as my cat prefers those. If you do get a new one keep some blankets/cushions with your cats scent on and cover the new sofa with them, less likely to want to scent mark.

You could try this!

Fill a spray bottle with 8 ounces of warm water. Add 10 drops of lemon- or orange-scented essential oil to the water. Cats dislike the smell of citrus and will most likely stay away from citrus-smelling objects. If citrus doesn't work on your finicky feline, try cinnamon, lavender or eucalyptus oil.

Mine have scratched a lot of my furniture, but for some reason they've given my newish sofa a pardon

I also have had no issues with my leather sofa. They shredded my previous fabric one. But not touched this one.

I’ve been having a horrible shit few days and your post has just brightened me up thank you!! Hilariously true!
It’s a case of what you prefer most, pets or lovely furniture because it will definitely be mauled even if it’s leather.
I have no cats atm (they passed) but I’m sitting on a leather sofa that looks like a burst teabag in parts. I resign myself to never having a pristine home and I always wonder how people have beautiful untouched furniture and cats do they replace every few months?

Sorry OP I meant to say they scratch to leave their mark, and to pull off the sheath when they have a new nail underneath. Clipping won’t do anything unfortunately.

I'm in the same predicament. Don't want leather again though. I also want a new stair carpet but my dcat loves ruining the stairs.

@MyCatTibby - are you spraying the furniture with that, or your cats?

@furries The furniture!!

@furries To be fair I’ve never tried this myself but have heard cats don’t like citrus smells. I’ve had three cats as an adult and only our first cat (a female) scratched the sofas. Our next two never touched them. Our beloved last cat we had for 14 years passed away last Monday and during his lifetime we had leather and material sofas and he touched neither of them. He did have a scratching post though.

@MyCatTibby - phew!

@MyCatTibby - and am so sorry to hear he passed away last week. My cats have also never scratched the furniture (well, apart from accidental scratches during the kitten zombies stage!). My 10 year old passed away recently and I’d happily have a sofa scratched to bits if I could have him back. Hope you’re doing ok.

*zoomies! Not quite sure what I’d do if I had kitten zombies!

My cat doesn’t scratch the furniture but did get spooked mid sofa snooze once and made a few big pulls in the fabric trying to get her claws free in a hurry.
So even if they don’t scratch I don’t think you can guarantee that damage won’t happen.

Also, I thought you weren’t supposed to trim cats claws (unless they had a problem with them curling into the pad)?

@furries Ahh I’m so sorry to hear that you’ve lost a cat recently toO, it’s so hard isn’t it. Hope you are doing ok and I agree I’d sooner my cat back and a shredded sofa than a pristine sofa and no cat any day xx