If you have a cat that won't stop scratching your furniture, you're probably wondering how to convince them to stop it, which is why we've put together this handy guide to help you prevent your cat from shredding your sofa!
There’s nothing worse than getting a new sofa and coming home to find that your cat, or kitten has ripped it into ribbons, or finding deep scratches in your freshly painted door frames. Cats scratching furniture can be a real problem, especially if you’re house-proud! Sometimes it may seem that your cat’s out to cause trouble, but it’s important to know that your cat scratching at the carpet and furniture is a deeply ingrained natural instinct and has numerous benefits to both their health and wellbeing.
Keep reading to find out how to prevent cats from scratching furniture and to discover why they always seem to target your favourite spots.
Why Do Cats Scratch Furniture and Carpets?
While it may seem that your cat just likes to destroy things, your cat can be scratching furniture for a number of reasons. The reason for cat scratching can range from a full body workout, scent marking, and boredom, to your cat wanting to maintain the sharpness of their claws.
Claw care and maintaining the sharpness of their claws
It is a cat’s natural instinct to take care of their claws and, unlike a dog whose claws are in contact with the ground all the time, their claws are retractable, and so to keep them in tip top condition, they have to scratch them against a surface to remove the old outer sheath of the claws and reveal the new inner claw.
To do this, unless they are given a purpose designed scratching post, most cats will use the furniture because they’re vertical and have smooth surfaces, making them ideal for sharpening.
Scent marking
Cats’ paws contain scent glands and when they scratch objects, they release a visible and chemical scent marker that identifies their territory in the home. They’re most likely to target prominent and frequently used areas such as carpets or sofas, or even your favourite armchair. This is because scratching these areas will make them feel more secure and relieve stress by putting their scent on things, making them feel more like their home.
Scratching out of boredom
Cats are naturally predatory animals – and need to have an outlet for all their natural hunting, chasing and scratching behaviours. This is especially important in indoor cats. Without that, they can get bored, frustrated and even depressed, and will often start to look for ways to explore their natural instincts. This often leads to them sharpening their claws on furniture and other vertical surfaces.
So now you know what causes them to do it, but how can you actually stop cats from scratching furniture?
Stretching
Often when cats wake up they feel the need to stretch – this helps them maintain healthy joints and tendons. And the best way to do that, is on a vertical surface at the same time as a good scratch.
How To Stop Cats from Scratching Furniture
1. Provide them with designated scratch places in the home
The best way to prevent cats from scratching furniture is by providing them with plenty of appropriate scratching opportunities inside the home. Outside cats will scratch trees and posts so it’s a good idea to simulate this inside with scratching posts. Have a scratching post in every room your cat spends time in – and especially near where they sleep so they can have a good stretch and scratch when they wake up.
2. Purchase good quality scratch posts
Ensure that you only purchase good quality scratch trees and posts that are strong so they won’t wobble when your cat scratches on them, as this may put them off. You should also make sure that the scratching posts are tall enough for your cat to stretch all the way up so that they can exercise those all-important muscles.
3. Experiment with different scratch fabrics
From watching your cat, you will know the type of surfaces your own cat likes to use as a scratching opportunity. You can also try providing fabric offcuts, bark-covered logs, softwood remnants, or sisal fibre to provide plenty of variety to keep them entertained. Cat trees usually have scratching opportunities too.
Once they have these easy-to-scratch objects that are more satisfying and do a better job of claw care and stretching, they’re far less likely to target your furniture.
4. Placement is important
Place the scratching posts and objects throughout your home in places where your cat already likes to relax, or near items that they already scratch (such as the arm of your sofa). Near sleeping spots is important as most cats enjoy a good stretch and a scratch once they wake up.
If your cat doesn’t appear to be interested in the scratching post then you might want to consider an option with a dangling toy to encourage them to investigate it or you can make them more appealing by adding some cat nip. Usually if you get the right material and put it in the right place, your cat will be very happy to use it.
5. Stop repeat offenders
Once you’ve provided a good alternative, you should make sure that you prevent them wanting to go back to your furnature. Make sure you clean the object(s) in question thoroughly to remove the scent markings, as cats are more likely to scratch areas where they can smell their scent fading and will want to ‘top it up’. We recommend using a mild, non-toxic solution that’s suitable for the area and then make sure that you keep your cat away from the area until it’s dry.
6. Prevent boredom scratching
For cats that scratch furniture out of boredom or lack of exercise consider purchasing some cat or kitten toys and ensure that you schedule in some much-needed playtime with you and your cat. There are loads of cat toys available from electronic mice to teasers, so there’s bound to be an option your cat will love!
Consider buying your cat a cat tree that will give them an outlet for jumping, climbing, hiding and surveying their territory - as well as scratching and stretching.
How To Stop Cats Scratching Carpets
So, now you know how to stop cats from scratching furniture and carpets! Give our advice a go and your favourite chair will be scratch free in no time. Remember to never blame them for scratching things, as this is a cat’s natural instinct and they’re doing it for so many beneficial reasons!
If you are worried that your cat is a little bit too destructive, contact feline behaviourist – they’ll always be happy to help. Take a look at our article on cat noises and what they mean, next.
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