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How To Keep Cats From Scratching Furniture Using Vinegar
If your cat loves scratching the furniture, then you have a serious problem at home. This is because she will damage the expensive household furniture, yet you might not be ready to replace them soon. Therefore, you’ll need to find homemade solutions to prevent the cat from scratching your sofa and other furniture.
Luckily, cats hate the scent of vinegar and you can use this to your advantage and prevent her from scratching your belongings. If the cat wants to scratch your favorite pillow or furniture, then it’s hard to stop her. However, their noses are a powerful way of keeping them away from out-of-bounds areas.
Why Cats Scratch in and Around The Furniture
Cats usually scratch the furniture or fabrics to shed the outer layers of their claws. You don’t need to worry about it as it’s perfectly natural. Other times, they are scratching to mark their territory or to warn other cats. However, this scratching can cause a lot of damage to your carpet, drapes, and furniture.
Using Vinegar To Stop The Cat From Scratching
Mix an equal amount of vinegar and water. Though you can use any vinegar, I would recommend white vinegar because it has a sweet smell, and is quite affordable. Alternatively, you can use other types of vinegar-based on your preferences.
For starters, avoid using full-strength vinegar as it can overwhelm the cat’s senses. Instead, mix it with water at a 1:1 ratio and adjust it until you find the solution that works best. Now, pour the vinegar into a spray bottle and spray a small amount of it to the surface of the furniture where you don’t want your cat to mess on them. But be cautious about the amount you’re spraying because it can stain some surfaces and fabrics.
Now, spray the vinegar solution to the furniture, and since cats hate vinegar scents, they will avoid the places where you’ve poured it.
Is Vinegar Safe for Cats
Cats do not like the smell of vinegar. But if they ingest it while undiluted, they could have vomiting and diarrhea. Also, the vinegar should not come into contact with the kitten’s skin because it is abrasive. Also, note that cats cannot tolerate the vinegar being wiped or sprayed on them.
What If Vinegar Does Not Work?
If you have sprayed the vinegar solution, but the cat has not stopped scratching, then there are other solutions. You can try the solutions below:
- Using Different Type of Anti-Scratching Spray
The reason homeowners use vinegar is that cats hate the smell of vinegar. However, at times, your cat could be the odd one out. If so, then you have other options such as citrus, rosemary, eucalyptus, and lavender.
Cats also hate citrus or floral scents, and you can use many to deter them from scratching the surfaces or fabrics. But if you don’t want to make an anti-scratching spray from home, then buy one from an online or local pet store. The sprays have many benefits that are safe and cat-friendly. Also, they don’t leave any residue or stains in your home, and they could have a more pleasant scent than vinegar.
 | 3-in-1 Cat & Kitten Training Aid with Bitter |
- Provide Scratching Posts
Your kitten will start to scratch once it’s about nine weeks old, and if you train it while young with scratching stands or posts, you may address the problem. Though the cat might continue scratching in your home, it will not mess with your furniture. Visit your local pet store or shop online cat posts to deal with this behavior.
 | PetFusion 3-Sided Vertical Cat Scratching Post (Avail in 2 Sizes) | $39.95 | |
 | Kitty City Premium Woven Sisal Scratching Post | $37.00 | |
 | Cat Tree Cat Tower 61-inch Multi-Level Kitten House Condo with Scratching Posts | $85.99 | |
 | PAWZ Road Cat Scratching Post and Pad, Sisal-Covered | $29.99 |
- Find out Her Scratching Preferences
It would be best if you found out the reason the cat is scratching the surfaces. If it’s the ones you bought for her, then it could mean she doesn’t like the material or the way it is installed. Monitor your cat’s behavior around the items and surfaces she loves to scratch, i.e., its texture and location. Most cats scratch after they wake up, and when you take note of why she is displaying some negative behaviors, it will be easier to correct them.
- Clear Higher Spaces for Climbing
Cats are natural climbers, and they could be scratching the furniture while trying to climb. Therefore, if you clear the higher spaces for the cat to climb, you will be lettering her to enjoy the natural instincts. But this is only ideal when you have shelves and tall counters in your home. The fur friend will perch on to them.
If you don’t like the idea, you can buy cat towers and wall-mounted cat scratchers. She will climb and hide on them, and luckily, you can DIY a wall-mounted scratching post.
 | THUNDESK Cat Scratching Post Wall Mounted Cat Scratcher | $39.99 | |
 | Ruby Road Cat Scratching Post for Floor or Wall Mounted Use | $38.99 | |
 | 4CLAWS Wall Mounted Scratching Post | $36.99 | |
 | 4CLAWS Wall Mounted Scratching Post 26" | $40.00 |
- Give the Cat more Exercise
At times, the cat can start scratching to reduce stress. You can reduce this stress by giving it more attention and exercise. Cats are natural attention-seekers, and they could be doing this vice to get attention. Therefore, giving it a little playtime can help correct this behavioral issue. Also, you need to give her regular exercises to make her happier and fitter.
Why You Should Not Declaw Your Cat
When the cat scratches your favorite fabric or furniture, you will become angry. The first thought will be declawing her, especially if the other options fail. However, doing so could lead to more harm and could even lead to death if there are adverse reactions.
Additionally, it can lead to the infection of the cat food, which can lead to amputation when not treated on time. overall, it will lead to physical harm and can also scare your cat emotionally. To cut the story short, it will hurt the feelings of the cat and can lead to health issues. It is also mean to the cat.
Conclusion
Cats scratch the furniture for many reasons, and this behavior could be destructive. Vinegar is a commonly used chemical that deters this behavior in cats, but if the cat does not respond, then there are other options. You can also try more than one option to find one that’ll work.
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