"digging" the sofa!!

We have a leather sofa that Doug is allowed to sleep on at night and during the day whilst we are at work. We put his blanket on to protect the cushions and he’s since learnt that he can only get up when his blanket is on (apart from when we are out, then it’s a free for all as he’s a cheeky boy!) Recently we have noticed Doug has started “digging” at the couch cushions. There are severe scratch marks on both the back and seat cushions on one side. It started a few weeks ago but with the swift telling off he stopped but the last few days it’s gotten worse. I now have almost bald patches! He doesn’t do it in front of us just when he’s alone. It’s mostly at night but I’ve noticed a few more appear when I get home from work. As we have an open plan downstairs, apart from a door way into the kitchen, we now have to shut him in the kitchen when we go out and at night to keep him from “digging” the couch.

Can any one think why he has started doing this and how I can stop it? I don’t want to keep him in the kitchen every time I go out (although I will say he doesn’t seem to mind i.e. hasn’t chewed and it’s a decent size with all his usual bits in, bed, toys etc.) but I also don’t want him scratching the sofa!

Frankie does this sometimes. We call it nesting lol. He digs around before he gets comfy, sometimes does it for ages! Sorry I can't be much help!

Sorry not much help either, what do you leave him to occupy him when you are not there? 

Biscuit does this too.. I think it might be a bit of a stressy thing about being left, but also nesting. I have bald patches on my leather sofa too!! That's now her sofa  and we've got a second hand one for the front room that she doesn't have access to when we're out. Have tried longer walks before leaving her, more toys, more chews, more kongs, nothing passes the time like putting holes in the sofa apparently!! Sorry I can't be any more help!

They just love a good old nest I think!!!!

I think they do it because ... it's fun.

you want to see what they do to wicker furniture

lots of blankets, throws, or if you dont want them up put something on the chair (beanbags, large cushions, suitcases...) to discourage them getting up.

ok, probably wont work, but worth a shot

Put something on the sofa when you aren't there. We had the same issue and really the only solution was to put items on the couch to protect and make it less attractive to scratch (heavy blanket or even rolled up sleeping bags or another large item that he can't easily move.

Thanks guys! At least now I know he's actually trying to distroy my couch! I've been using the kitchen all this week when I go to work and to bed and he seems quite happy about it but to be honest I don't think he'd be fussed where we made him sleep as long as it wasn't outside - he's pretty laid back! Doug can still cuddle with us on the couch when we are in so he's not missing out on that  

Chiquito will dig at what ever he is laying down on ... his bed, my bed, the lounge, the bath mat - even the floor boards if they need to be made 'comfy' before he lay down  

As said above, lots of blankets, throws, pillows etc that are digging friendly will help .. though he sounds happy to keep with the kitchen

Rocky digs at the lounge just to move the cushions and settle behind them, he does it every time, especially to hide his head   Its cute, but not so good for the furniture!