Discover 5 ways of keeping your cat out of the couch and other furniture – so your furniture stays in great shape.
In our home, we’ve been blessed with the addition of a new, fluffy kitty cat named Bear.
We love her to death, and she is an extremely snuggly, wonderful little kitty. She’s a bundle of joy that truly brightens our lives every day.
But, as many cat owners know, with great cuteness comes great responsibility—and a few unexpected surprises.
Bear, our adorable little explorer, has developed a peculiar hobby. Somehow, she’s become a little Houdini, discovering a hidden world beneath our beds and furniture.
Her favorite adventure? Ripping open the fabric under our beds to hang out in the box spring. Then, she ripped the bottom out of our new chair in the living room.
It was clear: we needed a solution, and fast.
Join me as we uncover the secrets to keeping our beloved furniture intact.
5 Ways to Keep Cats Away From Furniture
Here are some great ways of keeping cats off furniture:
1. Provide Scratching Posts or Pads
Cats love to scratch, it’s just their thing. So, why not give them their own cool cat scratching post or pad? Pop these in their favorite hangout spots.
Experiment with different materials and shapes to see what they dig the most, and hopefully, they’ll forget all about scratching up your couch.
2. Use Deterrent Sprays
There are these cat-repellent sprays made just for pets that come in a little spray bottle. They contain scents to keep cats off furniture that cats hate – but are totally safe for them.
Just spritz it on your couch, and it’ll make your kitty think twice before turning it into their new scratch zone – a true cat deterrent.
3. Use Furniture Protectors or Covers
Slapping on some furniture protectors or covers can be a real couch-saver. They’re not just great for keeping kitty claws at bay, but also for handling fur and the odd hairball.
Pick ones that are tough but easy to clean – your furniture (and sanity) will thank you.
4. Training with Positive Reinforcement Techniques
Who says you can’t teach an old (or young) cat new tricks? Whenever your kitty opts for their scratching post instead of your armchair, make a big deal out of it.
Some little cat treats or some extra cuddles can go a long way. It’s all about making them feel like the coolest cat for making the right choice.
5. Block Access to the Inside of Your Furniture
Sometimes, you’ve just gotta block off those secret cat hideouts. Make sure the undersides of your beds and sofas are cat-proof.
If they can’t get in, they can’t wreak havoc. It’s a simple fix that can save a lot of headaches (and furniture!).
Patching Holes in Furniture
Our adventure in furniture repair began with a dilemma: how to prevent our cat, Bear, from continuing her upholstery destruction spree.
Initially, we brainstormed various elaborate methods to patch the gaping hole in our couch, each idea more intricate than the last.
I decided to take matters into my own hands. Channeling my long-dormant home economics skills from eighth grade, I armed myself with a needle and thread.
The mission was clear: patch up the hole and restore the couch to its former glory. With each stitch, I mended not just the fabric, but a small part of our home disrupted by our furry little vandal.
I did a pretty rudimentary job at it, but I knew that this wasn’t something that was going to be touched or have any stress on it, so I was just trying to patch the hole. I think I did a pretty good job.
Want More Cat How-to Guides?
Check out these awesome DIY guides for your home:
- Keeping Cats Away from Your Christmas Tree
- Building a Self-Refilling Cat Food Dispenser
- Creating DIY Wall-Mounted Cat Stairs
- Installing a Cat Door in an Interior Door
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Hey there, I’m Sean, the woodworking enthusiast and builder behind CharlestonCrafted.com! Since 2012, I’ve been sharing the magic of turning raw materials into beautiful creations. I love teaching others the art and satisfaction of woodworking and DIY. I try to inspire fellow crafters to make something extraordinary out of nothing at all.