Which Breed of Cat Does Not Scratch Furniture? How to Stop a Cat Scratching the Furniture

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Which breed of cat does not scratch furniture? Unfortunately, no breed of cat doesn’t scratch as scratching is a natural behavior, so you’ll need to train your cat to use a scratching post and stay away from the furniture.

All cats have the instinct to scratch, and even the most well-behaved cats can occasionally be tempted by a piece of furniture. However, some breeds are less likely than others to use your furniture as a scratching post.

This article will answer the question, ‘which breed of cat does not scratch furniture?’ We’ll also discuss how to train your cat to use a scratching post and deter them from scratching your furniture.

Why do cats scratch furniture?

All cats need to scratch as it’s a natural behavior. Cats that have access to the outdoors may be less inclined to scratch at your furniture as they can scratch at fence posts or trees in your yard.

There are many reasons that cats need to scratch:

Scratching keeps their claws in good condition
Helps to loosen muscles
Is relaxing
Territory marking
Gets rid of the dead outer layer of their claws
Relieves boredom

Which breed of cat does not scratch furniture?

There is no guarantee that any breed will never scratch your furniture, though, as individual cats have different personalities, and some may still find your furniture irresistible. It is important to provide alternatives for scratching, such as cat trees, scratching posts, or mats, so your cat can express their natural behavior without damaging your furniture.

Some breeds are known to be laid back and may be less likely to scratch, but there is no guarantee. Lazier cats and those that are easy to train are less likely to develop behavioral issues around scratching, such as obsessive scratching. The following breeds are generally laidback, easy to train, and less likely to scratch at your furniture:

Ragdolls
Birman cat
Raggamuffin
Maine coon
Scottish fold

Breeds that are more active

Other breeds can be harder to train and need a firm hand. Cats such as Siamese, Bengal, Abyssinian, and Oriental Shorthairs tend to be more active, so they may scratch more if they aren’t provided with enough toys and mental stimulation. These cats enjoy scratching posts and toys, so they can be trained to stay away from furniture.

Breeds that are very active and more likely to scratch at furniture include:

Siamese
Bengal
Abyssinian
Siberian
Oriental shorthair
Bombay cat

How to train your cat to use a scratching post

To discourage your cat from scratching the furniture, you’ll need to provide better places to scratch. Choose a scratch post with appealing surfaces that’s heavy enough so that it doesn’t move when your cat scratches at it. Choosing an item with an angled scratching surface is also a good idea, as this will be easier for your cat to scratch than a horizontal post.

If your cat has already been scratching one area of your sofa, it’s a good idea to give it a good clean. Cats will continue to scratch in the same area as they have previously due to scent marking. Cats have scent glands on their feet and use scratching as a way to mark their territory. Clean your sofa, and then work on training your cat.

Training

In addition to providing scratching posts and toys, it is crucial to be consistent with positive reinforcement when your cat uses the appropriate place to scratch. Reward your cat with treats or verbal praise when they use the scratching post, and redirect them away from furniture if they appear to be tempted.

With consistency and patience, you can encourage your pet to direct its natural scratching behavior toward appropriate surfaces instead of your furniture.

Deterring your cat

If these methods fail, you can try using double-sided tape on your furniture. Marking the areas that your cat likes to scratch will temporarily discourage your pet from scratching. Hopefully, your cat will soon get into the habit of using their scratching post, and you won’t need to resort to using double-sided tape over the long term.

You could also use bubble wrap to stop your cat from scratching your furniture. Alternatively, invest in a scratch guard to prevent your furniture from getting scratched.

Some people use citrus scent to deter cats as they don’t like the smell. While this is an effective method, you should also be aware that citrus fruits and essential oils are toxic to cats if ingested even in small quantities and should be kept out of the reach of cats.

Other methods

Some people recommend clipping cat’s claws or using nail covers. However, these methods can be distressing for the cat as felines need to scratch as a natural behavior. Nail caps can be effective as they stop your cat from scratching, but it can be challenging to find the right size of caps to fit your cat.

If you are having problems training your cat to use a scratching post, you may like to consult a vet or animal behaviourist for further help and advice.

Is it a good idea to declaw a cat?

You should never have your cat declawed as this is an unethical practice. Some people get their cat’s claws removed to stop them from scratching. This involves a painful operation that needs to be carried out by a vet and is very stressful for the cat. It’s best to use other methods to deter your cat from scratching or train them to scratch in the right place.

Which breed of cat does not scratch furniture: Final thoughts

In conclusion, while no breed of cat does not scratch furniture, some breeds are less likely than others to do so. To protect your furniture, it is best to provide your cat with appropriate scratching posts and toys and be consistent with positive reinforcement when they use them. With this approach, you can help direct their natural behavior away from the furniture.

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