Have you ever walked into a room to find your favourite sofa or armchair with new, tell-tale claw marks? As frustrating as it is, scratching is a perfectly natural and necessary behaviour for cats. The key to learning how to stop cat scratching furniture is not to eliminate the behaviour, but to redirect it to appropriate places. This guide from all4petstore will help you understand the behaviour and put an end to damaged upholstery.
Here are the main reasons why your cat scratches furniture, and some practical, cat-friendly solutions to save your furniture.
Why Do Cats Scratch?
- Claw Maintenance: A cat’s claws are like an onion, with many layers. When they scratch, they shed the old, dull outer layers to reveal a new, sharp claw underneath. This is essential for their health and for keeping their claws in top condition for climbing and pouncing.
- Stretching: Cats love a good stretch! When they scratch, they are getting a full workout, stretching the muscles in their paws, legs, and spine. You’ll often see them do this after they wake up from a nap.
- Territory Marking: Your cat’s paws have scent glands between their toes. When they scratch, they are leaving behind both a visible mark and their unique scent, which is a way of marking their territory and communicating with other cats.
- Stress Relief and Boredom: A cat may scratch to relieve stress, anxiety, or simply because they are bored. This is especially true for indoor cats who may not have enough outlets for their natural energy.
How to Redirect and Stop the Behaviour
The most effective way to stop cat scratching furniture is to provide your cat with better, more appealing alternatives. Here’s how:
1. Invest in a Quality Scratching Post This is the single most important solution to stop cat scratching furniture. A good scratching post is one that is sturdy and tall enough for your cat to get a full vertical stretch. Cats also have preferences for different textures.
- Material: Try different materials like sisal rope, cardboard, or even wood. If your cat is scratching a carpet, a horizontal scratching mat might be a better choice.
- Placement: Place the scratching post in a prominent location where your cat spends a lot of time, such as in the living room or near their sleeping area. It’s also effective to place a new scratching post right next to the furniture they’re currently scratching.
2. Make Your Furniture Unappealing While you’re training your cat to use their new scratching post, you can deter them from the old spot.
- Cover the Area: Temporarily cover the scratched area of your furniture with something they won’t like, such as double-sided sticky tape or thick plastic sheeting.
3. Keep Those Claws Trimmed Regularly trimming your cat’s claws can significantly reduce the damage they cause. You can do this yourself at home with a pair of cat nail clippers. If you’re unsure how to do this safely, ask your vet for a demonstration.
4. Provide Entertainment and Play To combat boredom scratching, make sure your cat has plenty of stimulating activities and toys. Interactive toys, puzzle feeders, and regular playtime with you can help burn off excess energy and provide a healthy outlet for their instincts.
Recommended Products from all4petstore
At all4petstore, we stock a range of products to help you stop cat scratching furniture and keep your feline friend happy.
- Cat Scratching Posts and Boards: Explore our wide selection of cat scratching posts and scratch pads. We have everything from tall sisal posts to multi-level cat trees.
