How do I get my cat to stop scratching my dress shoes?
How to Get Your Cat to Stop Scratching Your Dress Shoes
It can be frustrating when your cat causes damage to your dress shoes. Cats will naturally scratch things but that doesn’t mean you can’t do something to prevent it. Here are a few tips to help your cat to stay away from your dress shoes:
Provide a scratching post
Cats naturally need to scratch things to keep their claws sharpened and groomed. Providing a scratching post will give your cat the opportunity to scratch without causing damage to your dress shoes. Place scratching posts near where your dress shoes are stored so your cat can focus on the posts instead of your shoes.
Put Out Cat-Friendly Toys
Cats can also become bored when alone and may start scratching your dress shoes as a type of plaything. Put out some toys your cat enjoys playing with so that it can stay entertained. This could be anything from a set of catnip mice to a new toy wand.
Cover Your Shoes with a Protective Barrier
Sometimes a scratching post is not enough to keep your cat away from your dress shoes. Consider putting a protective barrier around your shoes, like boxes or baskets, that your cat can’t access. This will help to keep your shoes away from your cat’s claws.
Try a Feliway Spray
Feliway is a natural spray derived from cats to help reduce stress and anxiety. Spray some on or near your dress shoes, as the calming scent may be enough to keep your cat away.
Discourage Scratching
If you see your cat scratching your dress shoes, immediately discourage that behavior with shouts, claps or even a gentle spray of water. As cats don’t like to be reprimanded, your cat should quickly understand that scratching your shoes is not acceptable behavior.
With these tips, you can help keep your dress shoes safe from your cat’s claws and ensure your cat is still able to fulfill its natural need to scratch and groom.
