The 7 Best Cat Scratch Furniture Protectors of 2023

Guard your couch against kitty claws

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云杉宠物/ Lecia Landis

If you have a cat, you probably need at least one–if not many–cat scratch furniture protectors that will keep your furniture from being damaged long-term. Scratching is healthy for your kitties because it helps them exercise, stretch, and leave their scent in their territory, just like their big cat ancestors. Scratching relieves stress and boredom and helps keep their claws in good condition.

“When choosing furniture or couch protectors such as slipcovers, you want to get a thick enough material that your cat can’t scratch through to the furniture underneath,” saysDr. Janet Cutler, CAAB, a Certified Cat Behaviorist atCat World. “Discouraging your cat from scratching that area is the goal, while you’re working on training your cat where they should be scratching instead. You want to get something that covers the entire piece of furniture so they don’t just move from one spot they like to scratch to another one.”

Our favorite cat scratch furniture protector is the Navaris Cat Scratch Sofa Shield, which is made of sustainable woven sisal material that your cat can scratch heartily without damaging your furniture. It comes in several neutral colors that will blend seamlessly with your decor and can be easily removed when company comes.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall

Navaris Cat Scratch Sofa Shield

Amazon Navaris Cat Scratch Sofa Shield

Amazon

What We Like
  • Durable

  • Sustainable fiber

  • Easy to put on

What We Don't Like
  • Will not fit all couches and chairs

  • Leg straps short for some sofas

The Navaris Cat Scratch Sofa Shield does all the things you need most–it covers well, is durable, yet affordable and easy to use. When you know you can’t stop your cat from scratching the arms or legs of your couch, this one might be a great fit for you. This cat scratch furniture protector is made primarily of cream colored woven sisal, a sturdy, sustainable plant fiber made from Mexican agave leaf fibers. Sisal is most commonly used to make rope and mats. Your cat can enjoy scratching without damaging your sofa fabric.

The arm of the scratching cover fits over the top of most standard couches and is secured by tucking it under the seat cushion. The bottom has fasteners so you can easily tie it on and off, so you can remove it for parties. The base fabric is available in three neutral colors that will blend well with most any home decor.

Measure your couch carefully to ensure it will fit and avoid returns. You can also getadditional panelsseparately for other parts of the couch or other furniture.

Price at time of publish:$42

Types:Left and right arms |Colors:Light brown, light grey, dark grey

Best Protective Scratcher

Sofa-Scratcher Cat Scratching Post

Amazon Sofa-Scratcher Furniture Protector Cat and Scratching Post

Amazon

What We Like
  • Handmade

  • Sisal is renewable and sustainable

  • Free standing

What We Don't Like
  • Must avoid water

  • Not soft to the touch

  • Not suitable for recliners

Ascratching postis one of the best places for your cat to scratch. This clever, free-standing scratching post is designed to hug the corners of your sofa or loveseat. So you don’t need to break your cat of the habit as long as you have this in place. Its thin base slides under your sofa leg to create stability and maintain position. Its surface is a sturdy contoured, sisal-covered scratch panel available in five neutral colors.

The sisal material construction makes it tough and durable for lasting protection, while also being an environmentally sustainable product that’s at least partially compostable. Sofa-Scratcher offers this product in both the rounded and right angle corners so you can choose the style that best fits your sofa.

Price at time of publish:$58

Dimensions:10 x 9 x 24 inches |Materials:Engineered wood, wood, sisal |Colors:Beige, black, charcoal, ivory, moss

Best Couch Cover

Easy Going Stretch Slipcover

Easy Going Stretch Slipcover

Amazon

What We Like
  • 37 colors

  • Affordable

  • 30-day returns, no questions asked

What We Don't Like
  • Not waterproof

  • Foam anchors can slip out depending on your sofa

I own several of these durable slipcovers. They don’t completely prevent all scratches, but I noticed that my cat doesn’t like the stretchiness of the cover so she scratches elsewhere. I love that they fit snugly and cover the entire furniture piece. All of the couch fabric is protected and the sofa doesn’t look frumpy or messy. I have the wine and light blue colors for my loveseat and peacock blue for my wingback chair.

The Spandex gives this beautiful, functional couch cover its durable stretch. The jacquard fabric is attractive, soft and comfortable. Because they offer seven sizes, I was able to get matching covers for all my furniture.

I like to have at least two for each piece of furniture so I can put a clean one on right away while the other is in the washing machine. I use the warm delicate cycle in my standard machine and don’t overdry to help the spandex last longer, but customers say they withstand standard washing and drying. They’re so affordable, I have a couple of different colors so I can change the look of my living room without buying new furniture and decorate for holidays.

It goes on so easily because of the elastic edges. Just line it up using the tags marked front or back, and slide it over the top and down to the floor. The seat area is held in place using non-slip foam anchors. It takes just a couple of minutes to make it look nice. Perhaps the best part is, hair doesn’t stick to it, so you can brush it off quickly for daily freshening and it comes out of the dryer almost hair-free.

Price at time of publish:$44

Sizes:Loveseat, oversized loveseat, sofa, oversized sofa, 4 seater sofa, chair, oversized chair |Material:85% Polyester, 15% Spandex |Colors:37 solids

Best Leg Protector

Stelucca Amazing Shields Cat Scratch Deterrent

Stelucca Amazing Shields Cat Scratch Deterrent

Amazon

What We Like
  • Easy to install

  • Leaves no residue

  • Barely noticeable

What We Don't Like
  • Not recommended for use on faux or real leather

This style of protector–with large peel and stick-on plastic panels and optional twist pins to hold them in place–are sold under many different brand names. This one has the largest number of positive reviews of all the brands we considered.

They come in a pack of six with 50 twist pins so you can cover all the most tempting parts of your sofa. They can be cut to size to get the just right fit. Although these protectors are made of very durable plastic, they’re also bendable to fit your furniture. They’re thick enough so that there is no chance your cat’s claws will get through. When it's time for new ones, they come off easily without leaving a residue.

Price at time of publish:$21

Dimensions:17 x 12 inch |Quantity:6

Best Tape Roll

One Sight Anti-Cat-Scratch Furniture Tape

One Sight Anti-Cat-Scratch Furniture Tape

Amazon

What We Like
  • Easy to apply

  • 有利于小猫

  • Very sticky

  • Non-toxic

What We Don't Like
  • Can leave some residue on some fabrics

  • Not recommended for faux or real leather

Double-sided sticky tape is one of the easiest and most versatile ways to deter your cat from scratching your furniture. It also helps to keep them from climbing on counter tops, in potted plants and anywhere else you don’t want their little paws to perch. You can put it almost anywhere to protect from tiny, sharp claws. Some cats learn quickly and eventually, you might not need to use it.

This tape was straightforward to peel, coming with a white backing to prevent application problems. Some pet parents noted that their cats were drawn to lick the adhesive and that it has a slight chemical odor when first applied. Be careful when applying to flat, smooth surfaces as it can be hard to remove.

Price at time of publish:$23

Dimensions:4 inches x 30 yards

Best Tape Sheets

Panther Armor Cat Training Tape Sheets

Amazon Panther Armor Cat Training Tape Sheets

Amazon

What We Like
  • Easy to customize

  • Variety available

  • Money-back guarantee

  • Transparent

What We Don't Like
  • Not recommended for faux or real leather

Similar in style to the Stelucca shields, these are double-sided sticky tape shields that come in variety packs with different sized sheets. For example, the 12-pack comes with five extra-large, five large and two medium sheets. They’re thick enough to be sturdy but pliable enough to bend around corners.

These tape sheets can be cut to size for excellent custom coverage no matter what size or shape their couch is. They report that they are easy to apply, stay in place and last well. Unlike the Stelucca shields, these don’t come with twist pins. They're still easy to apply to furniture surfaces, but they tend to stick to themselves, which can make application a little tricky.

Price at time of publish:$20

Dimensions:多个大小在每个包|Quantities:8-, 10-, 12-, 18- and 24-pack

Best Clear Cover

Laminet Clear Vinyl Couch Cover

Laminet Clear Vinyl Couch Cover

Amazon

What We Like
  • Waterproof

  • Easy to clean

  • Easy to remove

  • Affordable

What We Don't Like
  • Some noise

Sometimes, you just need to protect it all. You can use this coverall while on vacation, while you’re at work or all day every day. Some don’t appreciate the look but most agree its quite functional. The clear vinyl is waterproof and your cat is not likely to want to scratch it. Many note that their cats avoid the cover altogether so mission accomplished.

It has a one-piece design so it’s easy to throw over the furniture. It has durable seamed edges and thick construction. It's super easy to clean. It’s thick enough to protect the couch even if their cat does scratch the vinyl. An added bonus is that the cover will also protect your furniture from UV rays that fade and degrade fabric over time.

Price at time of publish:$24

Sizes:Sofa, large sofa, loveseat, armchair/recliner

Final Verdict

We like the durableNavara Cat Scratch Sofa Shieldbecause it’s made of sustainable sisal fibers that your cat will love to scratch. For everywhere else in the house, tryOne Sight Anti-Cat-Scratch Double Sided Tape. It’s versatile, very sticky and non-toxic.

What to Look for in Cat Scratch Furniture Protectors

When choosing your cat scratch furniture protectors, you want to consider the materials, thickness and coverage. Dr. Cutler emphasizes that you want to choose a protector that is, “thick enough that your cat can’t scratch through to the furniture underneath and large enough to cover the entire piece of furniture so they don’t just move from one spot they like to scratch to another one.”

But not just any cat scratch furniture protector will do. “You want to avoid materials that your cat seems to like scratching, since all cats will have their own preferred material,” Dr. Cutler told The Spruce Pets. “If your goal is to eventually have a cat that scratches where you want them to, and not on your furniture, having materials they’re less likely to scratch is important. You also want to avoid materials that your cats claws could get stuck in.”

大多数猫抓家具保护者是made from sturdy materials your cat will avoid scratching, like thick layers of plastic or vinyl of thePanther Armor Cat Training Tape Sheets, or from sturdy materials that your cat can scratch instead of your sofa, like sustainable woven sisal of theSofa-Scratcher Furniture Protector Cat Scratching Post.

Measure your sofa carefully and pay attention to the dimensions of the protector you choose to ensure the best fit. Most of the negative reviews online for these products are left by customers who couldn’t get a good fit because they didn’t properly measure or compare their furniture to the dimensions of the product.

What About Cat Repellent Sprays?

“Cat repellent sprays that you put on your furniture works for some cats, but not for many,” explains Dr. Cutler. “It can cause damage to your furniture, so finding alternative options is highly recommended. Many repellent sprays taste bad and are meant to keep pets from chewing on things, but the scent disappears after a while and wouldn’t be effective for scratching, even if your cat doesn’t like it.”

Spruce Pets tested 18 cat repellentsand found that theStelalucca Amazing Shieldsfrom our list were the best furniture protectors.Pet Mastermind Claw Withdrawal Cat Spraywas the best spray because it can be used on a variety of surfaces, leaving a light lemony scent that effectively deterred a cat for up to three days. Dr. Cutler likesFeliScratch, a pheromone that you can spray on areas (like scratching posts) that you would like your cat to use for scratching, and it helps to encourage that.

Stopping Destructive Scratching

The best way to deter destructive scratching behavior is to always haveplenty of acceptable scratching areas你的猫的各种各样的表面和textures. Scratchers come in multiples styles, sizes, and materials. You can also make the scratching areas you want the cat to scratch more appealing by placing catnip or silvervine near them or attaching toys to the scratching place. You can give your cats treats and play with them on or around it too to help create a positive association with the scratcher.

But you must also be careful whendiscouraging bad behavior. You want the cat to understand that you don’t want the behavior without making your cat think you are mad at or don’t likethem. If your cat thinks you’re mad at them, it could result in more bad behaviors instead of less.

On (NOT) Declawing

“In the past, declawing cats was a common solution to cats scratching furniture,” explains Dr. Cutler of the process that amputates a cat's third phalanx, or third 'toe bone.’ “We have research that shows that declawing is associated with increased odds of back pain, inappropriate elimination and aggression. The procedure itself is painful, and can remain painful for a long period of time. The procedure has also been banned in many areas, and is not recommended by many veterinary organizations.”

If nothing else is working, Dr. Cutler recommendsSoftPaws vinyl nail capsthat you can put on your cats’ nails to keep them from damaging your furniture.

FAQ
  • Why do cats scratch couches?

    “Cats can scratch for many reasons,” Dr. Cutler told The Spruce Pets. “They scratch to help stretch their muscles, leave their scent (they have scent glands in their paws), and it helps keep their claws in good condition. Cats don’t naturally understand that our furniture is not something to scratch, so they need to learn that couches are not appropriate locations for scratching. They also need to learn that other surfaces, like a scratching post, are appropriate for scratching.”

  • What couch materials do cats not scratch?

    “There are no fabrics that cats will absolutely not scratch, and every cat has a preferred material,” Dr. Cutler said. “Leather or faux leather is less likely to be damaged by scratching butsome cats do scratch leather couches. Microfiber is also pretty resistant to scratches or rips, as are canvas and other tight-woven fabrics. Outdoor patio furniture material is also quite sturdy and less likely to be damaged by claws.” Unfortunately, most of the cat scratch furniture protectors in our list are not appropriate for leather or faux leather according to the manufacturers.

  • How can you discourage a cat from scratching furniture?

    “Punishing your cat for scratching furniture is not an effective way to stop them from choosing that as a spot to scratch and it can be harmful to your bond with your cat,” Dr. Cutler said. “Providing strong, solid scratching posts/trees and having both horizontal and vertical surfaces is important. You want to reward scratching those with treats or praise.”

Why Trust The Spruce Pets?

云杉宠物exhaustivelyresearches and recommendsa broad range of products. We also tap a network of experts and testers to help you make smarter purchases.

This piece was written byLorraine Wilde,who rigorously researched and evaluated the cost, materials and quality of each cat scratch furniture protectors, as well as customer and expert reviews and each company’s business ethics. Wilde has had at least two cat and two dog companions for the past 35 years and she expects only the best for them and her human family, too. Wilde has been covering the Spruce Pets beat for two years, covering both cats and dogs includingThe 11 Best Cat Beds for for 2023andThe 8 Best Couch Covers for Dogs of 2023.

Dr. Janet Cutler, CAAB, is a Certified Cat Behaviorist atCat World.She is one of North America’s most knowledgeable experts about cat behavior. Cutler holds a Ph.D. in animal behavior and welfare from the University of Guelph and is one of 41 Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists (CAAB). She specializes in cat and dog behavior and runs a cat and dog training company calledLandmark Behaviorin Canada.