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Will Cats Scratch Velvet? Facts & Scratching Advice

Written by: Patricia Dickson

Last Updated on March 4, 2024 by Catster Editorial Team

Scottish Shorthair cat lying on a velvet couch

Will Cats Scratch Velvet? Facts & Scratching Advice

We’ve all been sitting on the couch watching TV only to hear the sound of fabric ripping. You’ve probably done everything in your power to stop your cat from clawing your furniture to no avail.

However, some pet owners say that cats won’t claw up velvet. The fact is, most cats don’t scratch velvet because it doesn’t have any loose threads for them to pull. We’ll discuss why velvet doesn’t tempt cats, give you a few fabrics cats don’t claw, and more, so join us.

3 cat face divider

Will Cats Claw Velvet?

Cats target fabrics with elevated and loose weaves and adore scratching materials with loose threads, so silk, tweed, and linen are horrible choices for cat owners. Velvet, however, has a very small and tight weave, and your cat won’t scratch it because they will not enjoy it. But all cats are different; while most cats don’t enjoy clawing velvet, yours might.

Which Other Fabrics Will Cats Not Claw?

So, we know cats don’t enjoy clawing velvet, but what if you don’t want a velvet couch? Are there other fabrics you can get that your cat won’t scratch? Yes, there are several materials that most cats won’t scratch.

You can buy furniture made of leather, faux suede, and microfiber. They have short and tightly packed weaving and aren’t enjoyable for your cat.

Vintage plush chair destroyed with feline claws
Image Credit: Agata Kowalczyk, Shutterstock

How to Stop a Cat from Clawing Furniture

If your furniture isn’t constructed with one of the claw-repellant fabrics, you probably don’t want to buy new furniture. So, what can you do to stop your cat from clawing the furniture you already have? Let’s start with what not to do.

Do not declaw your cat; it is a drastic way to prevent them from scratching furniture. The surgery to declaw your cat involves amputating the bottom part of its toes, which leads to permanent pain for the rest of their life. The pain can cause behavioral issues and make your cat aggressive.

You also shouldn’t use deterrent sprays composed of harmful essential oils. The sprays may keep your cat away, but if they touch the chemicals from the diffuser or sprayer, they can ingest them while grooming. Felines don’t possess the correct enzymes to metabolize essential oils like peppermint, birch, wintergreen, or pine oil.

The best way to keep your cat from scratching your furniture is to redirect them to something else to scratch. Get them a scratching post and place it close to their favorite scratching spot. Make sure they can see the post from where they scratch, and if they scratch the furniture, make a loud noise, like clapping your hands.

This noise will jar them out of the instinct to scratch and hopefully motivate them to move over to the scratching post and run their paws along it. When you see your cat use the post, give them a treat. Over time, they will realize they will be rewarded for scratching on appropriate material.

 

Final Thoughts

When cats claw your furniture or any other fabric they can get their sharp claws into, it may seem like a never-ending task to get them to quit. However, felines are unlikely to scratch velvet, microfiber, leather, or faux suede furniture. You can also use physical deterrents like aluminum foil, scratching posts, and furniture covers to keep your cat from clawing up everything you own.

Never yell at or hit your cat for doing what comes naturally; it’s best to find a way to deter the cat from clawing the furniture instead. You can contact your vet for recommendations if your cat’s not responding to your redirection attempts.


Featured Image Credit: FotoMirta, Shutterstock

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