Cats are notorious for digging their claws into anything they can. This seems especially true when it comes to your couch. For years, cat owners have been trying to come up with economical ways to protect their sofas while also keeping their cats happy and content. Here’s a look at four DIY couch protector plans you can create at home to help resist the attention of your cat’s claws.
The 4 DIY Cat Couch Protector Plans
1. DIY Couch Scratching Post by Evan and Katelyn
| Materials: | Sisal rope, 10 x 1 wood, yardstick, wood screws, sandpaper, and catnip spray |
| Tools: | Saw, drill, power screwdriver, and a sanding block |
| Difficulty Level: | Hard |
This DIY couch scratching post is an ideal way of giving your cat something else to claw instead of your couch. While it may be seen as difficult, you can use the right power tools to add this scratching post over your couch arm and save your fabric. With a bit of catnip spray, your cat will hopefully be attracted to the post instead of tearing up your furniture.
2. Canvas Couch Cover by Faunamade
| Materials: | Felt and canvas cloth |
| Tools: | Sewing machine and measuring tape |
| Difficulty Level: | Moderate |
If you are a sewer, this canvas couch cover is a great idea for protecting your furniture. The double layer of felt and canvas fights the onslaught of cat claws to keep things immaculate. However, this project does require a bit of time. Luckily, you don’t need a long list of items to get the job done.
3. Doormat Couch Cover by Cat Toy Lady
| Materials: | Doormats |
| Tools: | Scissors, needle, and thread |
| Difficulty Level: | Moderate |
This doormat couch cover idea is a great way to show your creativity while protecting your furniture. Using affordable doormats, you can add the colors or shapes you think would look best in your home. Then, a small bit of sewing should have you on the way to keeping your cat from ruining your couch.
4. Corner Scratching Post by Great Home Ideas
| Materials: | Sisal rope, wood, tape, and screws |
| Tools: | Screwdriver, drill, and jigsaw |
| Difficulty Level: | Moderate |
This corner scratching post idea is a great DIY to protect the fabric of your sofa. While there are corner scratching posts available to buy, this project allows you to do things yourself and save a bit of money. With only a few tools and know-how, you can make a day of it and put an end to your cat’s destruction of your sofa.
The 6 Tips to Help Protect Furniture From Your Cat’s Claws
Everyone knows cats love to scratch things. It is normal behavior for cats to perform, and they need to be provided an outlet for this activity. Unfortunately, this means they may choose your furniture as the target of their attention for scent marking and honing their claws. While the four DIY projects we mentioned above can help save your couch, let’s take a look at a few other ideas you can implement to save the rest of your home from your kitty’s claws.
1. Clean Up
Firstly, start with cleaning any inappropriate areas they are scratching with an enzyme cleaner to reduce the likelihood of repeat scratching in the area. Cats have scent-marking glands in their paws, which helps them communicate territory with other cats.
2. Provide Other Scratching Spots
One of the easiest ways to keep your cat scratching where they should is to provide them with a scratching post, mat, or other means of keeping their claws in good shape. These types of items are available in almost every department or pet store. The best part is, if you’re a fan of DIY projects like we know you are, you can make your own to add to other parts of your home and detour your cat’s attention away from your couch. The key is to use a texture your cat enjoys scratching so they’ll veer away from your things and focus on their own. Some cats prefer to scratch vertically, others horizontally, and some a combination of both. Work with their natural preferences. The scratching posts should be long enough for your cat to reach full height, stable enough not to wobble, and ideally, one per cat in the household.
One of our preferred scratchers, the Hepper Hi-Lo Modern Cat Scratcher, is a surefire way to keep your kitty out of trouble (or at least away from scratching the things they should not!). It's not only stylish, but it's functional as well. It's made of sturdy cardboard with a durable plywood and metal frame and can be set up in three different ways – high, low, or lower. The different positions encourage maximum engagement, exercise and stretching, and of course, intense scratching (they can throw their whole body into it).
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With the Hepper Hi-Lo, your cat gets to have a blast scratching like a maniac, and you don't have to worry about them causing so much chaos or scratching your stuff. There are even replacement cardboard pieces available, so you really can let your cat go to town on this, and know that it will be long lasting. Click here to learn more about this awesome scratcher.
At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest, so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
3. Pheromones
Pheromone collars, diffusers, and sprays are available that can have a calming effect on your kitty. Some cats will increase scratching scent-marking behaviors to reduce territory anxiety. If your cat is feeling anxious the pheromones can help with this.
4. Keep Their Nails Trimmed
Trimming your cat’s nails can be difficult, but it may be your best option for saving your home furnishings. If you feel uncomfortable trimming your cat’s nails, speak with your veterinary clinic. They may provide this service or recommend a groomer who can help you out.
5. What’s That Smell?
Yes, just like us, there are certain smells cats don’t enjoy. By making your own apple cider vinegar or citrus-scented sprays you can help teach your cat to avoid certain areas of the home. If they enjoy scratching your furniture, give it a spray. They should steer clear, but if you haven’t provided them with another outlet for scratching, they’ll move on to another inappropriate spot in the house.
6. Outdoor time
If it is appropriate for your cat, environment, and local regulations, then allowing your cat outside will give them the opportunity to scratch outside on natural objects. The mental and physical enrichment from outside time is also a great benefit to avoiding any boredom-related behaviors.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a DIY fan, then crafting your own ways to protect your couch from your cat’s claws can be an exciting adventure. Any of these clever projects can be done in the comfort of your home with only a few tools and a bit of knowledge. Once completed, you’ll feel more comfortable about allowing your cat to roam freely around the living room, especially when they’re eyeing your sofa and debating whether they fancy it for a scratch.
Featured Image Credit: Melissa Sue, Shutterstock
