Have you ever wondered about how to train your cat or kitten to successfully use their brand new Cat-e-Corner? Our unique Cat-e-Corner is designed to make it easier to protect your previous furniture from your cat or kitten’s sharp claws, however, we also understand that training your cat to use their brand new cat couch protector can be a little tricky, especially if they seem to have their heart set on scratching against your sofa’s sides.
In line with this thought, today, we’ve come up with a few simple tips and pointers to help with your own kitten’s training.
How to Train Your Cat or Kitten to Use Their Cat-e-Corner Couch Protector
If you’ve been feeling a little frustrated with your cat or kitten relentlessly scratching your sofa rather than their scratching post or couch protector, don’t panic because training your cat to use its couch protector properly instead is actually quite simple.
Don’t Try to Stop Your Cat From Scratching!
The most important thing to remember here is that you can’t stop your cat from trying to scratch its paws. Scratching is instinctual for cats, as this helps relieve stress and sharpen their claws, helping keep their claws in good condition.
Given this, it’s also in your own best interest to make sure your cat has the chance to scratch so their claws stay healthy and in good condition and to prevent them from getting stressed and anxious.
Encourage Your Pet to Spend Time Near the Cat-e-Corner
First of all, when training your cat to use the Cat-e-corner, it’s important to encourage them to spend time around the product. Placing your pet’s bed near the Cat-e-Corner is a key tip here, as your cat will often want to stretch and scratch right after waking up; if they’re waking up by the scratcher, they’re far more likely to use it. This can also help encourage your cat to use the couch protector more regularly, preventing them from scratching other surfaces as much.
Protect Other Surfaces from Scratching
Along a similar line of thought, if you notice that your cat is instead attempting to scratch other surfaces, you may need to address this. If possible, try to take the item they are scratching away from your pet, which will encourage them to use the Cat-e-Corner instead. Alternatively, covering the item with a solid, non-scratchable surface may also help.
Place the Cat-e-Corner Near Scratching Points
If your cat is relentless for a particular item or surface, placing the Cat-e-Corner next to the item after covering it over offers a good alternative for your pet. Thus, when they find that they can’t scratch on their old favorite furniture anymore, they’re much more likely to turn to the Cat-e-Corner itself. Just make sure the unit is stable and not at risk of falling on your kitten or cat, wherever you place it!
As another option, you could always detach the scratching surface from your Cat-e-Corner and place it on or near their current haunts. This will help your pet get a feel for the Cat-e-Corner’s woven surface, so they naturally then gravitate towards it when you put the unit up on your couch.
Use Deterrents
You should never stop your cat or kitten from scratching, as this can cause significant stress. However, deterrents such as repelling sprays can help stop your cat from attacking a particular piece of furniture.
In turn, this may help encourage them to focus on the Cat-e-Corner instead, if this is left unsprayed (or even sprayed with a soothing scent). Just make sure that whatever products or sprays you use are safe.
In the end, training your cat to use the Cat-e-Corner simply takes time and patience. Luckily, the unique design is made to tempt your cat or kitten to scratch, so once they discover how awesome it feels, they hopefully won’t look back.
Common Questions Cat Lovers Ask About the Cat-e-Corner
Q. How stable is the Cat-e-Corner while being scratched?
We've tested the Cat-e-Corner with some pretty enthusiastic scratchers (cats around 13-15 pounds), and it stays nice and stable. We haven't even had a drink spill while they're going to town on it!
Q. Will Cat-e-Corner work with sofas under 22.5” (57 cm) tall?
A. The answer is no, it probably won't. The table part of the Cat-e-Corner would actually be higher than the arm of your sofa in that case.
Q. What materials is it made of?
A. The base and tabletop are crafted from 100% hardwood, specifically maple or black walnut. The internal wood structure, which the scratching surface wraps around, is made of plywood.
Q. Can the scratch mats be replaced?
A. Yes, the scratch mats are totally replaceable! They stick on with velcro, so when it's time for a new one, just peel the old one off and stick a fresh one on. You can find all the different mat designs we have available on our website. Mats are made from natural sisal fiber.
Q. How does someone figure out if they need a riser?
First, measure how tall your sofa arm is from the floor to the top.
Then:
- If it's between 22.5 and 25 inches (or 57 to 63.5 cm), you don't need a riser.
- If it's between 25 and 27 inches (or 63.5 to 68.5 cm), grab a 2-inch riser.
- If it's taller than 27 inches (or 68.5 cm), you'll need a 4-inch riser.
