We recently got a kitty (about a year old) for our children. She has taken a liking to my husband and myself. (She will not sleep with any of them just us) I am wondering how to get her to stop clawing my sofa.. I did buy her a tower scratcher and toys with catnip but still no luck yet. She also wants to drink out of the sink and toilet if the lid is open. Is there a way to break these habits and redirect her to the water bowl and kitty toys? 

Not really. Lol. cats are climbers and curious. You can spray her with a fine mist of water when she scratches where you don't want her to and see how that works.

As far as water and liking it fresh, it's very common for them to want running or circulating water. I love the drinking fountains that have running fresh water. They are kinda of a pain in that you have to add water all the time but cats usually love them. 

That's a wonderful idea. I know I would hate drinking water that's been sitting out for a day or two. So far she's been really good using the bathroom in the litter box that's in the garage. She goes to the garage door and meows to go out. But has no interest in toys so far. Maybe I need fresh catnip lol 

and most cats and dogs will drink out of the toilet if they can, so keep it clean or keep it closed! LOL! 

you can buy claw covers for her, but scratching posts are important- she needs something she can use for her manicures- 

I got her a scratching tower but she doesn't seem to interested as know. (Maybe she doesn't know what it's for) and lol yes my toilets are clean and we're reminding the girls to put the lid down as of now. 

Not really. Lol.


This used to be the standard answer but times have changed.

There's a new product called Feliway. It mimicks the feline hormone that's in their facial glands that they rub all over the house. The scent from that gives them a feeling of comfort. More comfort = less scratching. I saw an immediate improvement.

I get the plug in diffuser from Amazon and change them out monthly.


This. 

Try scratch pads(cardboard) in 2 different rooms.

They seem to work much better than the scratching posts. 

I will defently try the plug ins. We have the compressed cardboard one with catnip I don't think she likes catnip that much :/ but again maybe see just getting used to being an indoor kitty. She was a rescue before we got her. Very pretty kitty and sweet. 

Double sided tape on the furniture where she tries to scratch. 

"Not really. Lol.


This used to be the standard answer but times have changed.

There's a new product called Feliway. It mimicks the feline hormone that's in their facial glands that they rub all over the house. The scent from that gives them a feeling of comfort. More comfort = less scratching. "




Times may have changed but cats haven't. Cats scratch bc they have claws and they like to keep them sharpened and groomed by scratching and sharpening them. I have never heard they do that bc they lack comfort. If that's true, every feline on Earth is lacking comfort or neurotic.

It's only a "problem" to humans. In the feline world of behavior, it's completely natural. It only becomes an issue when you try and take an animal who is SUPPOSE to use their claws in that way and put them in a room with Mommy's leather couch. Lol

I'm glad it worked for you but I guarantee you, it doesn't work for lots of people, or cats. Cats use their claws because they have them and are suppose to. 

They make a special tape for that. It is basically large strips of very sticky double sided tape. They have it at most pet stores. Also put catnip on the scratchers and post and put at least one of them close to where she is now scratching. 

When our sons cat tries to scratch anything but his scratching posts, I immediately pick him up and put him on the posts! I don't find punitive responses very effective on cats.. 

This is the world of cats, even Martha Stewart has these problems. You'll see in her pics the cats sleeping in bowls on counters. In her living room she has antique couches covered in blue silk and the front fabric was shredded from cat claws! 

I'm going to keep working hard win her and hopefully she will take to her sratching post and board soon ) thanks for all the responses on this . 

I miss my kitties, furniture scratching and all. Btw, we got leather sofas. Did the trick! 

There are water bowls with running recirculated water for freshness. I use a cast iron cow bell for behavior modification. They hate the loud bell sound. It has stopped them from getting on the tables and counters. Now I just have to go near the bell and they know what's up. The spray of water didn't work nearly as quick. 

Now about the puppies and chewing...lol 

Our kitties love to drink out of the bath and potty so we got them a really big kitty bowl and that put a stop to the drinking out of the potty. A sprayer works well for the scratching of the sofa.