If you need to know how to keep cats off sofa, we have discovered two tried and tested techniques. The first one includes making the couch less appealing, and the second is making the experience of climbing on the couch not enticing. Both methods don’t require you to punish your cat, which is one thing you must never do to solve the issue in the first place.
You can also learn about training the cat to keep him from being on the furniture. And if you happen to notice damages on the furniture already, do not worry. Check out this guide on how to repair cat scratches on a leather sofa.
How To Keep Cats Off The Furniture
Draw the focus away from the couch
Your cat might enjoy lounging on the sofa because it’s appealing compared to other areas in the house. Therefore, drawing his focus away from the furniture can keep this habit controlled.
- Get your cat’s focus away from the sofa by creating an alternative and more appealing place for him
- Offer a pet bed close to your cat’s own scratching post to help him notice it
- You can also add his favorite toys and some treats close to the area
- Tailor the alternative space to your cat’s liking so that he’ll have his own area that he’ll like to hang around in instead of the couch
- A reason why cats love scratching furniture is claw maintenance, so make sure to provide scratching posts to keep your sofa legs in good condition
- Make the sofa less accessible as well by turning it towards the wall if possible or putting barricades around the living room, much like when trying to keep dogs off the sofa
Make the sofa less enticing
As you provide another space for your cat as an alternative to the couch, you also need to make the furniture itself less enticing. This way, the sofa will be attributed to unpleasant experiences compared to the alternative spot with the bed, scratch posts, toys, and treats.
- Consider the placement of the couch, especially if it’s near the window
- Watching the outdoors can be stimulating to cats, and if the sofa is near the window, they will be around it often to view the outside
- Some houses also use an open floor plan, where the couch only separates the living room and kitchen
- Your cat might be using the sofa to get onto the kitchen counter to find food
- Considering the placement of the couch can eliminate the rewarding experiences that cause cats to be on furniture often
- You can also make the sofa uncomfortable for your feline fellow by removing the soft padding
- Lining the couch surface with tin foil will cause an unpleasant sound to deter your cat further
- Cats are even more likely to stay away from the furniture if you place tape on the sofa that can leave a sticky residue on your pet’s feet
- If your sofa’s material is incompatible with tape or the tinfoil keeps sliding off, you can also lay a floor mat right side down on it
- The side underneath the mat has knobs that keep it from sliding off the floor, but they are also uncomfortable for a cat’s feet when placed upside down on the couch
What Can You Spray On Furniture To Keep Cats Off?
A straightforward method to keep cats off the sofa is by spraying the furniture with pet deterrents. They are available in most pet shops and are generally safe for pets despite them hating it. However, repellent sprays might contain some ingredients that can stain the sofa material, so always test it on a small portion first.
Does Vinegar Keep Cats Off Furniture?
Vinegar can help keep cats off the furniture because of its smell. You can mix white vinegar with water or directly spray the furniture with apple cider vinegar. But besides cats, vinegar sprays might also be helpful if you have a determined and stubborn dog.
Dogs tend to lick the couch due to several reasons. Once you determine the specific cause of why dogs lick furniture, using vinegar might help repel your canine companion off the sofa.
How Do You Keep Cats From Climbing On Furniture?
The best way to keep your cat from climbing on the sofa is to train him not to. Training cats with positive reinforcement is the most effective method instead of punishing and hurting them each time they climb on the couch. An example of a training practice is using a stick and allowing your cat to follow it and then reward him.
Once your cat is consistent in following the stick, you can apply the training for keeping him off the furniture. Apply a command such as get off while simultaneously guiding him. Be patient, and your cat should eventually learn not to jump on the sofa.
Conclusion
If your couch tends to get scratched or collect fur and dirt, it’s time to set boundaries with your feline companion. You have learned how to keep cats off sofa by offering an alternative spot or making the couch less enticing. Another method is to use a deterrent spray made from citrus or vinegar, or better yet, train your cat to leave the furniture alone.
Regardless of your chosen solution, consistency is critical, and remember that punishment is futile.