10 Clever Ways to Keep Cats From Shredding Your Curtains

Cats love windows and they tend to like climbing things. Scratching surfaces allows them to stretch, mark the surface with their scent, and work off anxiety and aggression. While these behaviors are all familiar to most cat owners, they can mean ruin for your window treatments. Cats might not be trying to be tiny hurricanes of destruction, but they sure are good at it. Here are some ways to limit their path of wreckage.

Open the curtains

Opening the curtains can actually solve some of the issues with cats attempting to climb them. Cats tend to be curious, and they often want to look out of windows, but they don’t have opposable thumbs like we do, so they might just opt to eliminate the obstacle to their view. Moving the curtains to the side will give your cat access to the view they’re after, and they might stop trying to destroy the curtains in the process.

Give them a better place to climb

Offering your cat a superior climbing option can help distract them from your curtains. A cat tree, climbing structure, or cat shelves can help dissuade curtain annihilation by giving an active cat a better climbing experience. If they’re climbing to get a better view and obtain the security of a height advantage, a cat perch can also give them what they want without sacrificing your window treatments.

Offer them a scratching post

A scratching post, especially one that’s doused with catnip spray or sprinkled with dried catnip will give your cat a spot to scratch that isn’t destructive. Scratching helps cats relieve stress, so giving them a good place to do it that isn’t your curtains is a win for both of you. The bonus of opting for a scratching post it that your cat will likely also be calmer and less aggressive in general after using one, especially one that is laced with catnip.

Give them some stimulation

Keeping cats occupied will reduce their desire for destruction. Some cats act out simply because they’re bored. Keep some cat toys on hand to entertain them and access their predator instincts to keep destructive behavior to a minimum—plus, playing with your cat is a stress reliever for you, too.

Give them a window perch

If your cat is obsessed with a particular window, like mine is, provide them with a window perch from which to judge the neighborhood in comfort. This can either be a table or shelf that’s the right height for your cat to see out the window, or a specialized cat platform that attaches to your windowsill.

Give them a superior hiding spot

Cats sometimes claw or pull down curtains while they’re trying to hide behind them, so try giving them a good hiding place that isn’t behind the curtain panels. A cozy alternative might keep them from wrecking the curtains in their search for a snug spot to curl up in. Cat igloos or cat forts are a good alternative to hiding behind the drapes if your cat wants a cozy spot to hide.

Try an alarm

If all of your encouragement to focus on other things doesn’t succeed in redirecting your cat, you can try a motion sensor alarm that will make a noise when your cat tries to climb. The noise the alarm makes is likely unpleasant to your cat, and if they connect the noise with the act of climbing, you may be able to discourage them from ruining the curtains.

Use citrus

To make the smell of your curtains unpleasant to a cat, you can try a citrus spray. Cats don’t like the smell of citrus and it also leaves a bitter taste on their paws that they dislike—but you likely won’t mind the scent.

Trim their nails

Trimming your cat’s nails can help keep them from getting their claws stuck in fabric as they’re moving about it. Since indoor cats don’t regularly walk around on abrasive surfaces to wear down the points on their nails, you should regularly trim their nails to help keep them from shredding fabric, either accidentally or intentionally.

See a vet

If your cat is having other behavior problems or if they seem to be suddenly wound up or out of sorts, their behavior could be connected to a health problem. If their desire to claw curtains comes on suddenly and is combined with aggression, peeing in unusual locations, or uncharacteristic vocalizations, it’s time to see a vet.

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