It’s no secret that cats love to scratch. It’s why there are so many cat scratching post products out there. However, cats don’t always limit their scratching to their scratching posts. Some cats may dig their claws into furniture, carpet, and anything else they can find. If you’re a cat parent dealing with excessive scratching, you may be wondering how to stop a cat from scratching furniture.
Why Do Cats Scratch Furniture?
When cats scratch furniture, they’re not doing it to upset you. In most cases, it’s just a natural instinct. A cat’s claws occasionally grow new layers, so scratching can help them shed the outer layers of their claws. Scratching things helps cats keep their claws healthy.
Cats may also scratch things to claim them as their own. They have scent glands in their paws that allow them to mark their territory by scratching things. Even if your cat is the only pet in the house, they may still want their paw pad scent on furniture to help them feel more comfortable in the space.
In some cases, scratching is as simple as wanting more exercise and stimulation. Cats may scratch because it’s fun and they have a lot of energy. If they’re feeling stressed, scratching may be a way for cats to express their feelings, which can benefit their emotional health.
How to Stop a Cat from Scratching Furniture
There are lots of valid reasons that cats scratch things, but that doesn’t mean pet owners want their furniture items shredded. Below are a few methods for reducing the risk of your couches and chairs getting scratched.
1. Provide Lots of Scratching Surfaces
A big part of how to stop cats from scratching furniture is giving them other places to scratch. Fill your home with scratching surfaces of a variety of materials.
While horizontal scratching posts are the most popular, not every cat is intrigued by them. Consider adding scratching posts of various shapes, along with several surfaces, such as cardboard, wood, sisal, or upholstery. This can help you figure out what your cat’s favorite scratching surface is.
With plenty of options to choose from, your cat should be able to find something they love scratching that isn’t your couch. Once you discover what surface your cat prefers, you can get more products of that material.
2. Reward Your Cat for Good Scratching
Even with other options, your cat might still be interested in your furniture or carpet. You need to teach them which places are acceptable for them to scratch.
To entice your cat to use certain scratching posts, you can rub catnip on it or include a string toy. You should place the scratching post near an area your cat hangs out in often so it will be the first place they think to scratch. If their scratching posts seem more appealing than your furniture, they’re more likely to scratch those spots instead.
3. Make Furniture Undesirable
While your cat learns to use their new scratching posts, you may want to make your furniture less desirable. Consider covering the spots they usually scratch with materials cats don’t typically like, such as plastic, double-sided tape, or sandpaper.
You can also do this in sections of your carpet that your cat likes to scratch. Covering that part of the carpet with a cat scratching post may also do the trick.
Another option is using a pet-deterrent spray on the parts of the furniture they scratch. Choose one that’s specifically made for pets with cat-safe materials. Pet deterrent sprays are usually made with scents cats dislike, such as citrus, to make them avoid your furniture.
Regardless of which method you go with, it’s a good idea to put a scratching post near the spot you’re deterring your cat from. That way, there’s an easy scratching alternative they can use, encouraging them to scratch that spot instead.
4. Keep Your Cat’s Nails Trimmed
Cats are less likely to scratch furniture if their nail health is maintained. While most cats hate getting their nails trimmed, it’s essential for making sure their claws don’t grow too long. Overgrown cat claws could dig into your cat’s paw pads, causing pain, infections, and difficulties walking.
You should trim your cat’s nails about every two to four weeks. It’s important to trim them before they curve too much. For the best results, use a nail clipper made specifically for cats.
When trimming their nails, you’ll need to gently apply pressure to each toe to push their retractable claws out. Then, trim the claws to about 2 mm from the quick, which is the pink blood vessel in your cat’s claw. In most cat claws, you should be able to see the quick clearly.
If you don’t feel comfortable trimming your cat’s nails or if your cat always puts up a fight, you may want to have a vet or groomer do it. Cutting a cat’s nail too short can be extremely painful and make your cat even less cooperative for future nail trims. Thus, having a professional handle it could make the process less stressful for you and your cat.
5. Consider Claw Caps
Claw caps may not fix the scratching problem, but they can prevent destruction temporarily. They’re rubber caps that get attached to your cat’s claws so your cat won’t damage the items they scratch. They typically last for four to six weeks, and then they fall off as your cat’s claws grow.
These products can be helpful as a short-term solution, but they’re not ideal long-term. They avoid the problem instead of finding a solution through training and redirecting. While you can continuously replace them every time they fall off, it’s a hassle for both you and your cat. Plus, not all cats are comfortable having these caps on their claws.
Declawing is Not the Answer
Some people assume declawing is the best way to stop cats from scratching furniture. However, declawing is not a humane procedure. Declawing is an amputation procedure that removes the last bone on each toe. It would be like removing the end of your finger.
Since declawing removes part of your cat’s toes, they can have significant health and behavior issues as a result. Declawing could lead to paw pain, back pain, difficulties walking, infections, nerve damage, and aggressive behaviors. All these downsides are not worth removing your cat’s claws.
As frustrating as it can be, scratching is a natural part of cat behavior. Cats need their claws to effectively get around, and it’s not humane to remove part of their body as an easy fix. Anyone looking to adopt a cat needs to understand that working on methods to prevent scratching is part of being a cat parent.
Stop Cats from Scratching Furniture in Humane Ways
Figuring out how to stop a cat from scratching furniture isn’t always an easy task. It takes a lot of patience and modifications to your home setup to find success. The key to stopping destructive cat scratching is providing lots of scratching surfaces while also deterring your cat from scratching your furniture.
This training process is different for every cat. Some learn where to scratch after only a few weeks while others may take months to understand what’s expected of them. Don’t rush your cat, and if you need further guidance on this process, talk to a vet or behavior specialist.