Don't declaw your cat: furniture-saving tips and tricks

From The Daily Cat

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Emergency medical cat care at your fingertips

In recent years, veterinarians have stepped in to provide a quick, cost-effective place on the Internet for owners to have their questions answered and get solid advice no matter the time of the day.

The 5 easiest ways to keep your cat healthy

To ensure that your cat lives a long and healthy life (or nine), check out these five easy steps promoting feline wellness.

Help your cat with separation anxiety

Cats can quickly become very attached to you, which may lead to separation anxiety.

Are cats and dogs that different?

Who says dogs have all the fun? Cats can be just as smart, fun and full of personality.

Two cats are better than one

Thinking about adopting a cat? Here are five reasons why you should think about bringing home a pair instead of just one furry feline.

Writers who love their cats

Writers from mystery novelist P.D. James to science-fiction icon Ray Bradbury and numerous others have at least one thing in common: They all love cats.

How to take great photos of your cat

With time and patience even the most camera-shy cat will eventually be ready for a close-up.

Brain exercises for your cat

Exercise for the brain is just as beneficial as exercise for the body. Give your cat both for a long and happy life.

Pregnancy and cats

Along with the admonitions about caffeine, lunch meat and wine, many pregnant women are told they should get rid of their cats because of health risks.

Cat love and friendship

Do cats experience love? One expert weighs in.

By Dorian Wagner

From The Daily Cat

You love your cat, but you also love your furniture. Now, with minimal effort, it's relatively simple to live in harmony with your cat and enjoy scratch-free furniture.

The best way to prevent kitties from damaging your valuable furniture is to provide them with something valuable to them -- a fancy scratch post or board. Cats like durable objects with certain textures more than they like your new furniture. Give them a better scratch device and they'll choose it over your couch.

Cats need to climb and be animals. Make sure your home offers your cat opportunities to be the hunter it is. Does it have enough toys, ledges and climbing spots? Before you blame your cat for ruining your furniture, check to see that you have enough to entertain it.

If your cat is scratching a specific spot time and time again, try covering that area with a blanket or thick towel. If you limit access to the spot, your cat will likely back off. If your cat needs more guidance, try double-sided tape for a while. It's not pretty, but it does the job. Certain fabrics also deter cats from scratching. Microfiber is known to be scratch-resistant.

If your cat still wants to scratch, try a product called Soft Paws, which are nail caps for cats. These are vinyl caps that fit over your cat's claws to prevent scratching. As a bonus, they come in a variety of colors -- fashionable and functional!

Try not to punish your cat for scratching your new couch. Punishment may keep your cat from scratching while you're around, but it won't keep your cat from scratching when you're not around.

Finally, talk to your vet before you completely give up. Often, destructive behaviors lead people to give up their animals. There may be solutions that your vet can offer. Try all of your options before you throw in the towel.

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