How do I get my cat to stop scratching my dress shoes?

How Do I Get My Cat To Stop Scratching My Dress Shoes?

It can be extremely frustrating when your furry friend chooses your dress shoes as their scratching post. Cats need to scratch, as it helps them file their claws, stretch their muscles, and even mark their territory. But here are a few things you can do to prevent them from scratching your dress shoes:

Use Natural Deterrents

Using natural deterrents like citronella-based products or reaction-based deterrents like spray or sonic bottle can help. If your cat doesn’t like the taste or sound, they’ll be less likely to continue scratching.

Give Your Cat a Scratching Post

Provide your cat with a designated scratching post or cat tree to scratch. Make sure you regularly promote the scratching post by praising your cat while they’re using it. If your cat is scratching your dress shoes, bring them somewhat close to the scratching post so they can associate the two.

Trim Your Cat’s Nails

The more of an animal’s claws that are exposed, the better the scratching post feels for them. Trimming your cat’s nails weekly can help reduce the amount of damage to your dress shoes and other furniture.

Provide Plenty of Toys

Giving your cat plenty of toys to play with can help distract them from any furniture they may be tempted to scratch. Choose toys with bell or catnip inside to keep your cat occupied.

Cover Shoes

If your cat is not attracted to your scratching post, then cover your shoes or any furniture you don’t want your cat scratches with a cover that your cat can’t penetrate.

Conclusion

There’s no guaranteed way to get your cat to stop scratching your dress shoes. However, if you take the time to establish a regular scratching routine, provide plenty of toys and use natural or reaction-based deterrents, then you should be able to help limit the amount of damage to your dress shoes.