29 Jan Cat Scratch Fever: What To Do When Your Cat Ruins Your Furniture
Cats make great companions and usually work well in an apartment. However, when they get bored, they act out by scratching your furniture. Keeping them happy and occupied will go a long way toward keeping the peace and preserving your things. But, what do you do when your cat ruins your furniture?
Leather
When it comes to repairing sofas and couches, leather is an easier fix than upholstery. Leather balms and patch kits are available on Amazon or at most hardware stores. They’re inexpensive, available in a variety of colors, come with straight forward instructions, and work pretty well for small scratches and punctures.
When dealing with leather, it’s important to thoroughly clean the area before applying the balm or patch. Pro-tip: use white cloths when cleaning the area. The dye from colored rags can absorb into the leather. The last thing you want to do to your newly repaired furniture is stain it. Clean the area with white vinegar or your household cleaner of choice. Once it dries, follow the directions on your balm or patch kit.
Cloth
Cloth is a little trickier than leather. If the scratches are bad, your only option may be to patch it. You can either buy patches or make your own with fabric. This is where it gets interesting. You can either get matching fabric or a fun, coordinating pattern. The options are endless. If you have sewing skills, great. If not, Heat n Bond or Aleene’s Fabric Glue are your friends.
Heat n Bond requires an iron so, if you don’t have one (no judgement), Aleene’s is a great alternative. Before you begin, make certain you’re happy with your choices because this stuff is no joke. Using scrap fabric, make some patches and apply them directly to the damaged areas.
Wood
If your cat really goes to town on your chair or table legs, sanding and staining may be required. But, if the scratches are minor, coconut oil is a great way to hide them. Is there anything coconut oil can’t do? The answer is no. Simply rub some coconut oil on the damaged area. If you’re feeling extra fancy, you can add lemon juice to the oil.
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Now that you’ve repaired your furniture, you need to keep your cat from redoing the damage. Again, adding a scratch-friendly surface in every room is effective and may be enough for them to leave your furniture alone. As a further deterrent, try a DIY concoction of water, clear dish soap, and essential oils. The dish soap acts as a binding agent, so add one little squeeze to a clean spray bottle. Fill the bottle with water and add a few drops of essential oils, shake it up and spray the areas your cat frequents. Like people, cats are all different so you may have to play around with oils that work best for you. But, typically, cats aren’t fans of citrus or eucalyptus.
Side Note: Cat scratch fever isn’t just a Ted Nugent song. It’s a real thing and can be quite serious.