Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just spent a bucket of money to have the sofa and two wing chairs in my living room reupholstered.
Yesterday, I walked by the door just in time to see Emily on the arm of the sofa, scratching away. All three pieces are now covered with plastic drop cloths. Not exactly the esthetic I was going for...

Does anyone have any suggestions on other ways I can protect my furniture?

These cats have scratching posts all over the house, and I praise them to the hilt any time I catch them using one, so it's not like they don't have alternatives.

Carol, Emily, & Eddie

I wish I had an answer. In a house with two posts and a cat tree, Liat insists on scratching two door frames and the edges of LP record jackets. The only thing that stops her is covering the surface in question. As soon as the socver comes off, the scratching resumes.

Stubborn creatures, aren't they?
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Terry, confused human companion of Liat.

I feel for you, Carol! I have a sofa and loveseat I'd like to have reupholstered but I suspect I'd have a similar problem.

There are a couple of things you might try. One is the double sided sticky tape (pet stores often have it) that you can put on the arms, back and areas of particular interest to the cat. Most cats don't like the sticky feel on their paws. Another is to put some soft throws over the areas as cats are less likely to try to scratch on those than on the taught surface of the actual upholstery.

I just read in my handy dandy new behavior book that scratching sometimes indicates a marking behavior...the obvious visual mark it leaves, as well as an olfactory one with the little scent glands in her paws...you changed the sofa covers she needs to make it hers again...

the book also suggests the double sided tape called Sticky Paws, apparently it doesn't leave marks on the furniture...and covering it (if she is scratching all over...not just one spot)...

Good luck...

Just a side note...growing up (Italians from Brooklyn) my mother covered all of the furniture in plastic and we even had those fancy plastic runners for us to walk on...so just consider your temporary new decor "1970's retro chic"...however, I'm quite sure that you are "protecting" something much nicer than Avocado green velour!!!
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Lisa, owned by Bentley,Alastair, Finster, & Delilah

That's it!
I'll tell everyone that I'm going for the "retro" look!!

Carol, Emily, & Eddie

>>I just read in my handy dandy new behavior book that scratching sometimes indicates a marking behavior...the obvious visual mark it leaves, as well as an olfactory one with the little scent glands in her paws...you changed the sofa covers she needs to make it hers again...
>>
>>the book also suggests the double sided tape called Sticky Paws, apparently it doesn't leave marks on the furniture...and covering it (if she is scratching all over...not just one spot)...
>>
>>Good luck...
>>
>>Just a side note...growing up (Italians from Brooklyn) my mother covered all of the furniture in plastic and we even had those fancy plastic runners for us to walk on...so just consider your temporary new decor "1970's retro chic"...however, I'm quite sure that you are "protecting" something much nicer than Avocado green velour!!!
>>-----
>>Lisa, owned by Bentley,Alastair, Finster, & Delilah