Cats on furniture

krose83013

Okay, so I have two cats Cadillac and Lexi. They are both about 7 years old, Lexi I'm guessing on her age because I got her from the humane society. Now I never ever let my cats on the furniture. But while living at my parents for the past 3 years my dad (who adores my cats) constantly let them on the furniture. So since I moved out and into the house my fiance and I bought this past March, we can't break them of the habit. 

We have aluminum foil over all of our sofas and chairs in hopes of preventing them from going on the furniture. We've tried the keep off sprays, and the scram mats. We are at a loss and not sure what else to try...any ideas?

Thanks! 

jennyjain

Cat are naturally animals that like to climb and be higher, so that's probably why they do it.  I would buy them a large kitty tower/cat tree and show them to use that instead.  It might work....????

Why is it a big deal that they go on furniture? Just wondering!

toothpastechica

jennyjain:

Cat are naturally animals that like to climb and be higher, so that's probably why they do it.  I would buy them a large kitty tower/cat tree and show them to use that instead.  It might work....????

Why is it a big deal that they go on furniture? Just wondering!

I agree with this. Cats don't like change, so once they are used to something they are not going to easily be broken of the habit. But I am curious as to why they are not allowed on furnature...I understand why people don't want thier dogs on furnature (they often smell...have mud on thier feet etc)...cats typically take care of thier own personal hygene a lot better then dogs do and tend to like soft warm corners to curl up in.

If its because they are scratching the furnature get a large scratching post/climbing toy, and yell or tap thier face (lightly) or spray water at them every time they scratch the furnature and that should stop it pretty quick. (side note our cats are not allowed on the table/countertops...it took about a month of yelling a simple "HEY" and removing them physically but they did learn..maybe try that? It took only about 3 days to train the kitten, but the older cat took about 4 or 5 weeks to get to the point where he doesnt even try anymore)

tiffanysbride

How long did you actually have them before they moved to your parents? If it was a shorter period of time I am guessing they never fully adjusted to your house in the first place. It takes a while for an adult cat to feel comfortable enough to try everything. I'd just keep moving them and then maybe put a blanket down at night or when you aren't home. The one thing that works well is one of those plastic office mats turned upside down (spikes up). I would get some cat beds, hiding place house build into a climbing structure. They need somewhere to go.