How to prevent cats from scratching new garden furniture?

[Flamingo]

Apart from getting rid of the cats

We're having a new set of rattan furniture delivered next week and DH & I have just realised that our cats (& all the other cats in the neighbourhood that congregate in our garden) may well fancy sharpening their claws on it

Any clever suggestions on how to prevent it being ripped to shreds the moment arrives?

[disney332]

Store it indoors or shed

Disney332

[Flamingo]

Originally Posted by disney332

Store it indoors or shed

Disney332

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It'll be stored in the shed over the winter but we would like to be able to leave it out until we're not using the garden. It's quite large and doesn't fold etc so it would be difficult to move on a regular basis.

I'm guessing we'll need a cover but just wondered if anyone had any ideas that we'd not thought of

[disney332]

You could try and spray it with windolene or some other cleaner like cillit bang

Cats are attracted or put off by smell

Disney332

[pinkcandy]

We have just had our outdoor furniture corner sofa delivered and I had the same thoughts as you, luckily we needn’t have worried, they absolutely love ‘their’ new sofa! No scratches as yet, but we do have a big cover for it when we aren’t outside. Oh and we have a few throws as well that sort of cover the corners of the sofa if you get me...

My only other suggestion is a small scratch post next to it? Just so they have somewhere to sharpen their claws if need be?

Good luck and enjoy!

[princessgem]

I would put a cover over it when not using it!

[kissimmee kate]

I second the scratching post suggestion. Our cat kept scratching the wallpaper in the hallway and after putting a scratching post their she has not touched it since

[The Hulk]

We've had rattan furniture for years and our cats,nor others passing through never scratch it.

[Flamingo]

Thanks. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they'll just ignore it but think we'll get a cover for when we're not using it.

[floridasgirl]

We have rattan furniture and never been touched by any cats. My gardeners dog does like to leave his mark every time he visits though!