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

How Do I Get My Cat To Stop Scratching My Slippers?

If you have a cat and a nice pair of slippers, chances are they will not stay intact for long. Cats naturally like to scratch, and slippers can be irresistable. If you want to keep your slippers safe, there are a few steps you can take to teach your cat to avoid scratching them.

Provide Alternatives to Scratching

Cats need to scratch for a variety of reasons including:

• Shedding excess claw sheaths: scratching helps cats keep their claws healthy and trim.
• Marking territory: cats have scent glands on their paws and will leave a scent by scratching.
• Stretching: cats scratch as a form of stretching.

Provide your cat with appropriate scratching surfaces such as scratching posts and boards, wrapped in a rough material to give the perfect scratching texture. Place these alternatives near your slippers, or in areas where your cat is most likely to scratch.

Make Your Slippers Unattractive

If your cat is already scratching your slippers, try making them less attractive. You can:

• Cover them with sheets or blankets: using a loose cover for hard-to-move objects, like your slippers, can make them less attractive for scratching.
• Spray some citrus scents: cats are sensitive to citrus scents and may find them unpleasant. Make sure to use natural ingredients.
• Place some double sided sticky tape: cats don’t like the feeling of tape on their fur. Applying it to the slippers can make them less inviting for scratching.

Discourage Scratching Behaviour

When you see your cat scratching your slippers, distract them right away. You can use a toy or a can filled with some coins to distract them and redirect their attention.

Also, positive reinforcement is key when training your cat. Whenever they use their scratching posts instead of your slippers, reward them with treats or praise.

Conclusion

Scratching is an important behaviour in cats, so it’s important to provide outlets for it. By providing them with scratching posts and boards, spraying citrus scents and using double sided sticky tape, you can make your slippers less attractive for scratching. When you catch them in the act, distract them and positively reinforce good behaviour.