They don't work. Get your cat one of these:

http://www.cosmicpet.com/scratchers.htm

And other scratchers, to give them something they would rather scratch than
your couch. Forget about those short little posts--get one tall enough for
the cat to stand up and stretch in order to scratch, that is what they love
in a vertical scratcher.

Once I got good scratchers my cats never went near my furniture again.

Other things: trim your cat's claws every couple of weeks. It is not hard if
you have someone to help you. (One person rolls the kitty in a towel so no
biting or scratching can happen, the other trims.)

Put a throw over your couch when you are not there.

And last but not least: have you HAD a leather couch? They are expensive and
uncomfortable. Just my 2 cents.

Hi, there is a product called sticky paws but I agreed with Cybercat that
scratching is a natural behaviour and posts that will take a cat's full
weight, and height at full stretch need to be provided. And if puss can have
an activity centre that offers height and hiding places that would be great.

On Feb 28, 10:03 am, cairpre...@yahoo.com wrote:

I don't see anything wrong w/Cyber's suggestions, any of them. I've
found
cats as individuals can't be lumped together re behavior in general.
I've had
some cats who were/are too lazy to be destructive, likewise one of my
now
cats would *love* to sharpen her claws on the big leather sofa....if
she could
get to it, which she can't. BGW, I agree that leather sofas in FL
where if you
sweat you "stick to" the leather, is unpleasant, but believe me it's a
whole
different planet in MileHigh; sweat is scarce, LOL. My practical
advice is if
you really want real leather (you don't say where you live) get a
couch
cover that fits snugly *all over* your lofa and put its back against a
wall.
These covers (NOT throws) don't come cheap, but my cats recline all
over it and there is not ONE claw mark on that leather down under the
thick cover and many throw pillows. Good advice about claw clipping;
if you are diligent, your cats will not have much to sharpen (their
natural
instinct) anyway and life will be sweet.....when company comes, I've
clipped claws whether needed or not and just whip that cover off for
the visitors to enjoy the feel of leather. I also have a chaise longue
in "bronco colors" (royal blue/orange trim) that is NOT leather but
just
upholstery....that,too, has its very own snugly-fitting thick cover.
It
is possible to outsmart cats even if they are the owners.