How do I get my cat to stop scratching my loafers?

How to Stop Your Cat From Scratching Your Loafers

You love your cat and your loafers, but unfortunately, your cat also loves your loafers—particularly for scratching. This unwanted attention can lead to an expensive repair bill or flat out ruin your shoes—not to mention it can be difficult to break your cat from the habit.

But don’t worry, there are ways to help your furry friend get out of this bad habit. Here are a few tips to help you get your cat to stop scratching your loafers:

1. Trim their nails

Trimming your cat’s nails regularly can help lessen their desire to scratch your loafers. You can have a groomer trim your cat’s nails or you can do it yourself, it’s best to get a professional to do it if you’ve never done it yourself. Trimming your cat’s nails will help prevent damage to your shoes.

2. Provide alternative scratching items

That’s right, provide items specifically designed for scratching that can help your cat satisfy their inner-scratching needs instead of taking it out on your shoes with your cats own scratching post by placing it near your loafers.

• Something Vertical: Cats love to stretch while scratching, so look for a scratching post, hammock, or wall-mounted panel that your cat can reach.
• Something Horizontal: You can also choose a scratching board or flat pad for your cat to scratch in a lying position. This can provide your cat with a spot where it can scratch horizontally, instead of your sneakers.

3. Deterrents

One of the best ways to discourage cats from scratching furniture and other items is to apply a scent deterrent like citronella, which cats dislike. You can also try using double-sided sticky tape near the loafers, cats don’t like sticky substances, so this means they won’t be happy if they find out that their scratching destination also has sticky stuff.

4. Keep your cat away from your shoes

Reduce the chance of your cat scratching the loafers by keeping them in a safe spot when you’re not wearing them. Either in a closet off-limits to your cat or in a box or somewhere else she cannot get them.

Conclusion

By following these tips, you can help your cat break this nasty habit and keep your loafers safe for years to come. Just remember to be patient and consistent with your cat and be sure to reward them for good behavior—like scratching their own post—as this will help to set the good habit in stone. Good luck!