"Rhino" wrote

Sorry, I think the confusion is mostly my fault from describing the
problem as being with the mattress. It is actually the box spring that is
getting clawed. Putting a sheet of plastic over that sounds like an
inexpensive thing to try and doesn't get in the way of sleeping. I like
it.

Ok, you mean the sides and possibly bottom of the box spring. Plastic may
work, or may be shredded in minutes.

It's cheap to try though!