Emily R. from Chicago
I used to think my cat was doing it to annoy me. I would sit down after work and hear that familiar rip against the corner of the sofa. I tried clapping, I tried covers, I even tried double sided tape. Nothing lasted more than a day. The more I said no, the more she seemed to wait until I was not looking. It was exhausting and a little heartbreaking, because I knew scratching was normal. I just did not know how to redirect it.
One night I searched for a better answer. I learned that cats need a place that feels right under their paws. Not just any post, but the right height, the right texture, and placed where they already like to scratch. That is when I found the Kitty Loop. It looked simple, but I liked that it was sturdy, tall enough for a full stretch, and had a texture that actually invited scratching instead of fighting it.
When it arrived, I put it exactly where she had been going after the sofa. I sprinkled a bit of catnip, dragged her toy across the surface, and praised her the moment she touched it. The first day she tested it with a few careful scratches. The second day she went to it on her own after breakfast. By the end of the week, the corners of my sofa were getting a break.
I also learned to make the right spot easier than the wrong spot. I kept the Kitty Loop close to the living room path and moved it a few inches when she looked confused. I rewarded the behaviour I wanted with a calm voice and a treat. I stopped scolding and just blocked the sofa with a throw when I left for work. It felt less like training and more like setting up her environment to help her choose well.
Now she has a little routine. She stretches tall, digs in with a satisfied look, and then curls up on the couch next to me. The sofa looks like a sofa again. My favourite part is that we are not in a daily battle. She got what she needed, and I got my living room back.
If you are where I was, do not give up. Scratching is normal. The trick is to give your cat a place that feels better than your furniture and to make that choice easy and rewarding. The Kitty Loop did that for us.