Scratching is a healthy, instinctual feline behaviour. In the wild, cats will scratch at upright tree trunks, leaving both a visual cue and a scent for other cats. However, in the home, cats may turn to sofas, rugs, and dining room chairs.
Scratching is so deep rooted that there isn’t much point in trying to stop your cat from engaging altogether, but if you want to save your sofa or rug from routine scratching, there are some things you can do to redirect their attention.
At House2Home, we know that the way you decorate and furnish your home is highly personal. If you’ve invested in creating a sanctuary with quality furniture and home décor, it’s natural to want to protect that space.
In the following article, we’ll look at why cats scratch furniture, how to redirect them, and what not to do.
Why do cats scratch furniture?
Cats clawing at furniture is normally a sign of a healthy, well-adjusted animal, but it can be annoying if your nice couch is bearing the brunt of the damage. There are a few reasons cats scratch, namely:
· To file down their nails, allowing new ones to grow
· To mark their territory through scent glands in their paws
· To self-soothe and relax
· To stretch their bodies
How to stop cats from clawing furniture
To stop cats from scratching couches, chairs, and rugs, you should provide an alternative. This usually means a designated cat scratching post. What works best for your cat will depend on how they like to scratch, so pay attention to whether they prefer to scratch the ground (like rugs and carpets) or whether they like to extend on their hind legs to scratch vertically (like the sides of couches and beds). A good cat scratching post not only deters them from taking it out on your furniture, but can also provide valuable enrichment and opportunities for stretching. Place their scratcher in the places you’ve noticed them scratching the most, to encourage them to switch focus.
You should also think about your cat’s mental and physical stimulation. Boredom and stress can increase scratching behaviour, so providing playtime and attention can reduce their urge to claw furniture. Daily interactive play with toys, puzzle feeders or climbing structures helps satisfy your cat’s instinctual needs and can make them less likely to target couches or chairs with excess energy.
Products available to stop cats from scratching furniture:
To steer them away from your furniture, certain cat scratch protections for furniture can be helpful. These products create a physical barrier between your cat’s claws and your sofa.
Some good options for furniture protection from cats include:
· STELucca Amazing Shields Anti Cat Scratch Furniture Protector
· FTSTC Anti Cat Scratch Furniture Protector 10‑Pack
· Aussie Furbaby Cat Scratch Protector Tape
What not to do when your cat scratches furniture
· Don’t punish your cat for scratching furniture (yelling, squirting with water or using aversive sprays). Punishment doesn’t teach them what to do instead and can damage trust.
· Don’t expect scratching to disappear completely. Scratching is a normal behaviour cats use to condition their claws. Preventing it entirely isn’t realistic.
· Avoid declawing your cat. This won’t stop the need to scratch and can cause significant distress.
· Don’t rely solely on deterrents like sticky tape, hard plastics or aluminium foil without providing alternatives. These can frustrate your cat, and they may target other furniture or express stress in other ways.
· Don’t place scratching posts in unused corners where your cat doesn’t frequent. If the post isn’t convenient, cats won’t switch from furniture.
· Don’t ignore their emotional needs. Scratching can increase with stress, boredom or environmental changes. Blocking behaviour without addressing underlying triggers won’t solve the issue.
· Don’t assume every cat will like the first scratching post you buy. Cats have individual preferences for texture and orientation (vertical vs horizontal), so forcing one type can be ineffective.
· Don’t forget to keep nails trimmed regularly. But also, don’t assume trimming alone stops scratching.
