Do Maine Coons scratch furniture?
Yes, Maine Coons will normally scratch furniture just like any other domestic cats depending on the proclivities of the individual cat concerned. That's the answer. I could stop there but I'll add a bit more. As is the case with any other domestic cat you can take steps to help prevent your Maine Coon scratching furniture. But don't declaw. That is a big NO NO. It is blatantly cruel and unnecessary.
What you need to do is purchase some really good scratching boards and scratching posts on which you can rub some catnip to attract your cat to them. If you are armed with these alternatives your cat will certainly scratch furniture much less.
As for scratching posts you need to get a really solid one. The best one you can get it on Amazon. Click this link: https://amzn.to/3yujykJ and you'll be taken to a big, solid scratching post which I believe you can buy on both the European and the American version of Amazon. I have got one myself and a few scratching boards on the ground. Here's mine below:
I would say my cat uses this big scratching post about three quarters of the time and my furniture about a quarter of the time. I could do better and buy another big scratching post and some more scratching boards but, to be honest, I don't mind him scratching my furniture. But I understand the problem and the desire to stop your cat scratching what might be nice furniture. I have nice furniture but it's about 30 years old and I think nice furniture can look just as good when it's a bit worn out. It builds up a patina of use which is quite attractive depending upon your mentality!
What you need to do is purchase some really good scratching boards and scratching posts on which you can rub some catnip to attract your cat to them. If you are armed with these alternatives your cat will certainly scratch furniture much less.
As for scratching posts you need to get a really solid one. The best one you can get it on Amazon. Click this link: https://amzn.to/3yujykJ and you'll be taken to a big, solid scratching post which I believe you can buy on both the European and the American version of Amazon. I have got one myself and a few scratching boards on the ground. Here's mine below:
I would say my cat uses this big scratching post about three quarters of the time and my furniture about a quarter of the time. I could do better and buy another big scratching post and some more scratching boards but, to be honest, I don't mind him scratching my furniture. But I understand the problem and the desire to stop your cat scratching what might be nice furniture. I have nice furniture but it's about 30 years old and I think nice furniture can look just as good when it's a bit worn out. It builds up a patina of use which is quite attractive depending upon your mentality!
Here are some of my scratching boards:
But the bottom line is that Maine Coons are just like any other domestic cat and they need to scratch objects. It is an entirely natural activity. They deposit their scent through their paws onto the object which reassures them. They slough off the outer cuticle of their claws to sharpen them up. They stretch their back. They exercise their retractile mechanism which draws the claws out for use.
Maine Coons need to scratch for these reasons. It cannot be denied them. It's just a question of what they scratch and how you encourage them to scratch objects which are designed for the purpose. This is why I have recommended this top-quality scratching post. And don't forget the catnip because that certainly draws them to it. You might position it near the item of furniture that you want to protect so they go for the post rather than the furniture.
But the bottom line is that Maine Coons are just like any other domestic cat and they need to scratch objects. It is an entirely natural activity. They deposit their scent through their paws onto the object which reassures them. They slough off the outer cuticle of their claws to sharpen them up. They stretch their back. They exercise their retractile mechanism which draws the claws out for use.
Maine Coons need to scratch for these reasons. It cannot be denied them. It's just a question of what they scratch and how you encourage them to scratch objects which are designed for the purpose. This is why I have recommended this top-quality scratching post. And don't forget the catnip because that certainly draws them to it. You might position it near the item of furniture that you want to protect so they go for the post rather than the furniture.
How do I stop my cat scratching the carpet and furniture?
You can also buy material on Amazon and elsewhere to protect furniture from cat scratching if you so desire. The last thing to say is that if you have a cat you have to expect a little bit of furniture damage. It goes with the territory. It's so much easier emotionally if you accept it because if you constantly fight to try and keep your furniture pristine while enjoying the company of your cat you will be disappointed. You want to avoid being disappointed.
It's one of those examples where you accept the things you can't change and do your best to change the things that you can change. It's funny how you can be philosophical about a cat scratching post!
You can also buy material on Amazon and elsewhere to protect furniture from cat scratching if you so desire. The last thing to say is that if you have a cat you have to expect a little bit of furniture damage. It goes with the territory. It's so much easier emotionally if you accept it because if you constantly fight to try and keep your furniture pristine while enjoying the company of your cat you will be disappointed. You want to avoid being disappointed.
It's one of those examples where you accept the things you can't change and do your best to change the things that you can change. It's funny how you can be philosophical about a cat scratching post!
Comments
Post a Comment
Please share your Maine Coon experiences.