cats

It works except when it doesn't.

Our previous cats (who have all crossed the rainbow bridge) were happy to use scratching posts.

Our current cats are a different story. We've tried scratching posts with various coverings, including cardboard, jute, and carpet, and even uncovered, bare wood. They all prefer one particular chair, and occasionally the wood trim on one corner of the kitchen.

Shrug

Doesn’t always work

We had this old chair from the 60s our cat loved to rip up over the scratching boards.

The fabric was like a very coarse weave so naturally her claws would catch and then she’d scratch.

After it got too far gone we just made sure to never buy material like that and she’s never scratched furniture since.

Unfortunately they aren't as comfortable to sit on as a chair

lol, came here to say it... just put a scratching post next to it? I know they don't look good, but it's a hell of a lot better than this...

by the looks of it, this cat already has a scratching board that it very much enjoys

My cat has a ton of scratching posts/boards. He enjoys and uses them, but also uses the furniture a similar amount. I try placing the scratching posts/boards in front of the corners of furniture to block it, but there are too many unblocked furniture corners. And even in a blocked corner, he will sometimes go around the block and use the couch anyway. I'm at a bit of a loss, tbh, so I tried ordering some stick on carpeting material and we'll see how it goes.