Paws off! How to stop cats from scratching furniture

Updated 27/09/2024

Cats scratch, that’s a fact. So understanding how to stop cats from scratching furniture can make living with a frisky feline a lot more enjoyable. We’re going to look a little more into cat scratching, why they do it, how to stop them from shredding your personal belongings, and steps you can take to reduce the chances of it happening in the first place. Let’s scratch this itch, this pain in the fluff, and find out how to stop a cat from scratching furniture.

Why do cats scratch?

First off, cat scratching is a paw-fectly normal cat behavior that is just part of kitty lives. It’s instinctual, something that comes from the wild non-domesticated side of their brain. Outdoors, cats use scratching as a way of marking their territory. Not only do the visual claw marks tell other cats to ‘back off’, but their paws have small pheromone glands which also cover the area in their scent.  

At home, cats still feel the need to act like they have a territory, so scratching continues to be part of their day-to-day routine. This is why when your new dream couch turns up after months of saving up, your cat shows their thoughts by trying to rip it - they’re including it in their territory. Or they don’t like your design tastes, it could be both!

How to stop cats from scratching furniture?

Train your cat

Okay, hear us out! Yes, it is possible to train your cat but it takes a bit more patience than it does with doggos (unless they’re huskies, huskies are cats hiding in a dog’s floof). There are four different ways to train a pet, and straight away it’s important to know that if you punish your cat as a form of negative reinforcement it ain’t going to do diddly squat!

Cats only respond to positive reinforcement AKA a reward-based way of training. Feline Behavior Solutions has a great detailed article all about cat training, but in a nutshell - when your cat goes to scratch the furniture, ignore them, and don’t give them any attention because even negative shouting or clapping can actually reinforce the problem. The cat will still associate the behavior with some form of attention or, at worst, become scared of you.

However, if they start scratching on a cat pole or anything that they can and should be attacking, praise them with gentle strokes and treats. Yes, some cats will start doing this on purpose just to be given treats, but once learned, you don’t have to keep rewarding them constantly. An occasional treat after scratching a cardboard box will be enough to keep their claws at bay.

Keep their nails trimmed

This is not declawing! No, this is where you use a pair of human or small dog nail clippers to carefully trim the ends of the claws on their murder mittens. We recommend you ask your vet to show you how to do this first, as well as how to gently but firmly hold your cat while you’re doing this. Keeping their nail trimmed can be done once a month, like their flea treatment, and can make a big difference if they just won’t leave that particular armrest alone.

A cat scratching post is a must

I mean, the hints in the name, pet people! A cat scratching post can be bought from a pet store or online for $10 (£8) and it can last for ages. Of course, the more you pay, the more benefits are included like extra hiding spaces or material that won’t shed. Your home doesn’t need to be filled with them, but just having a few scattered about gives your cat other options to stretch their claws.

Use a cat furniture protector

Worst comes to worst, protect the furniture first. Cat furniture protectors can be bought online for a few bucks in claw-proof materials. Often you can just stick them on to the edge of a couch or back of a chair and it’ll help deter most cats (notice how we said ‘most’ cats). 

Clean scratched areas 

If it’s possible, clean the surface that your cat is scratching at. Use biological washing powder or enzymatic pet cleaning products to remove as much of your cat’s scent as possible. Just patch-test any areas first (especially fabrics) before doing a more thorough clean.

Keep your cat mentally stimulated 

Encourage your cat to play and interact with you by using a variety of toys. Puzzle feeders are another great way of keeping your cat busy. A busy, happy cat is less likely to spend their time scratching your furniture for stimulation. 

Reduce stress

If your cat is scratching because they’re feeling stressed or territorial, then take steps to improve this. Using artificial calming pheromones in the environment can be helpful for many cats. If you’ve multiple cats, you can reduce conflict by making sure that you have enough resources for them all (one litter tray, scratch post, and feeding bowl per cat, plus an extra). Make sure neighborhood cats aren’t able to get into your property as this can cause stress for many pets.

Avoid declawing

For those who haven’t heard of declawing, it’s a surgical procedure that removes the first joint of each of a cat’s digits on all four paws. This, in turn, completely removes their claws and prevents them from growing back. If you were to do this to a human, it’s like dissecting the top joints of our fingers to remove our fingernails. Yeah, a declawed cat is not a happy cat.

This is an extreme way to stop an instinct that can be deterred with just a few extra bits of enrichment in their routine. The surgery is stressful, the aftermath very painful, and it can cause severe mobility issues for the rest of declawed cats' lives. Nowadays, many vets will refuse to do this procedure as it adds no benefits to a kitty’s welfare or quality of life. In some countries and US states, it’s classed as a form of animal cruelty and is illegal.

The best cat scratchers around

Now, we could give you a long list of fancy cat scratching posts and kitty furniture that’s highly rated on various sites. In truth, the best cat scratchers are natural and free! Real pieces of wood or thick bark placed around your home are paw-fect for them. Other DIY scratch posts include thick bits of sisal rope wound around a cardboard box. 

The simple cardboard box is a multi-purpose cat entertainer and also a cheap cat scratching post! Keep boxes around your home for them to claw, chew, hide, and play in. Cut them up into strips, stick them together with cat-safe glue (just water, flour, and a bit of sawdust works great), and you have a scratcher that’ll last for months. Be creative, you don’t need to spend buckloads on expensive cat stuff to make them happy.

Meet our veterinary expert, Rebecca

This article has been checked by veterinarian Rebecca MacMillan, BVetMed MRCVS. Rebecca is a companion animal vet who has always had a passion for writing and client communication. Since her graduation from the Royal Veterinary college in 2009 she has gained a wealth of experience in first opinion small animal practice, in both clinical and managerial roles. She currently works in the South West and deals with a variety of routine and emergency appointments, but particularly enjoys medicine cases. Outside of work and writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, including her bouncy flat coated retriever George!

What about you, do you have any safe and sensible tips to stop cats from scratching furniture? Share your wisdom with other feline fanatics on our Community Forum - you don’t even have to be a member to join the cat chat. But, if you’re curious, have a look through our different membership options and become one of our pet-loving members.