How to Stop a Cat From Scratching Furniture

If your cat has been shredding the arm of your sofa, you’re not alone. Scratching is a normal, healthy behavior that helps cats keep their claws in good condition, stretch their muscles and mark their territory with scent glands in their paws. The aim isn’t to stop your cat scratching entirely, but to teach them to scratch the right things.

Offer Better Places to Scratch

A good scratching post is the foundation of solving the problem. Look for these features:

• Height: tall enough for your cat to stretch fully, with their front legs extended.
• Stability: heavy or wide-based so it doesn’t wobble or tip over. A wobbly post can put a cat off for good.
• Texture: sisal rope or sisal fabric is popular, but some cats prefer cardboard or carpet.
• Direction: some cats like vertical posts, while others prefer horizontal scratchers on the floor.

Watch where and how your cat scratches now. If they attack the side of the couch, they likely prefer vertical surfaces; if they scratch rugs, try a flat scratcher.

Put Posts Where They Count

Location is just as important as the post itself. Place a scratcher directly in front of or right beside the furniture your cat is targeting. Cats also like to scratch after waking up, so put one near their favorite sleeping spot. In multi-cat homes, provide several posts in different rooms. Posts tucked away in quiet corners are often ignored, because cats like to scratch in prominent areas where their scent marks will be noticed.

Redirect and Reward

1. Make the post appealing by rubbing it with catnip or silvervine, or dangling a wand toy across it.
2. When your cat scratches the post, praise them warmly or offer a small treat.
3. If you catch them scratching furniture, calmly interrupt with a soft sound or by tossing a toy toward the post.
4. Gently guide their attention to the scratcher, then reward them when they use it.

Never yell at, spray or physically punish your cat. It can make them anxious and damage your relationship without teaching them where they should scratch.

Make Furniture Less Tempting

While your cat is learning, temporarily protect the spots they love. Cover them with a throw, a fitted furniture protector or double-sided tape designed for this purpose, since most cats dislike sticky surfaces. Once your cat reliably uses the nearby post, you can gradually remove these deterrents.

Extra Tips for Success

• Trim your cat’s nails regularly to reduce damage, or ask your vet to show you how.
• Provide daily play to burn off energy and reduce stress-related scratching.
• Replace scratchers when they’re worn out, but not too soon; cats often like a well-used post.
• Avoid declawing, which is a surgical amputation and is discouraged by many veterinary organizations.

If scratching suddenly increases or seems linked to stress, such as a new pet or a move, talk to your vet about ways to help your cat feel more secure.