Clear plastic sofa cover (or how do I keep kittens from scratching my sofa)
 

My 3 kittens are very fond of trying to scale up and down my sofa. So, they aren't intentionally using it as a scratching post per se, but their attempts at trying to climb up to the seating area are leaving a lot of scratch marks. Actually, it's the failed climbing attempts that leave the most damage, because that's when their claws are fully extended as they try to get more grip on the fabric and drag their bodies up to the top.

Any ideas on how to either dissuade them from climbing the sofa, or protect it during this stage of their development?

In pet stores (Actually last weekend I saw it in Petsmart)
They have a whole variety of sprays, some are to relax your cats in stressing times and some are to [U]stay off[/U] an area such as your sofa.
The only thing you have to check is the age. Example: For cats (number) of weeks and up or ask a person there.
There's also the water squirt bottle to scare them away whenever you catch them on their way to mischief.
There's feliway (another spray) that will keep them off your couch.
Make sure to have more than one scratching post. If you have one in a bedroom or any room make sure to have another one in the living room or where your couch is. 2, 3, etc it all depends on how big your place is.
Hope this helps :)

[QUOTE=Koteburo;1046711]In pet stores (Actually last weekend I saw it in Petsmart)
They have a whole variety of sprays, some are to relax your cats in stressing times and some are to [U]stay off[/U] an area such as your sofa.
The only thing you have to check is the age. Example: For cats (number) of weeks and up or ask a person there.
There's also the water squirt bottle to scare them away whenever you catch them on their way to mischief.
There's feliway (another spray) that will keep them off your couch.
Make sure to have more than one scratching post. If you have one in a bedroom or any room make sure to have another one in the living room or where your couch is. 2, 3, etc it all depends on how big your place is.
Hope this helps :)[/QUOTE]

I would spray the sofa in an inconspicuous spot to made sure it does not stain it. The OP could buy a cover for the sofa , there a lot of styles to pick from, and keep that on until the kittens are able to jump up onto the sofa.

Well, I just draped a couple of towels over the most abused areas of the sofa for the time being. Some sofa covers can get a little pricey - I just need something inexpensive and temporary.

[QUOTE=tezster;1046738]Well, I just draped a couple of towels over the most abused areas of the sofa for the time being. Some sofa covers can get a little pricey - I just need something inexpensive and temporary.[/QUOTE]


Put an inexpensive cat stand at the corner (s) where they climb. In all reality, though, you will probably need protection as it would be very difficult to stop the kittens from climbing, if not impossible.