Cats are great pets, but they do have some features that can be undesirable. There is nothing more frustrating than watching your cat scratch up your furniture. Cats’ claws are extremely sharp, and they can make quick work of upholstery, wood, and leather furniture. If a cat continues to scratch furniture, it can lead to damage. Before you get upset with your cat, keep in mind that scratching is a natural behavior in cats that has to be redirected, not punished.

Here are four effective methods to stop your cat from damaging your furniture.

The 4 Ways to Stop Your Cat Scratching the Furniture

1. Keep Claws Trimmed

One of the best ways is to trim the nails regularly. When a cat’s nails are trimmed, the ends are blunt and can’t do as much damage when the cat chooses to scratch. You can learn to trim your cat’s nails at home with a pair of trimmers you can pick up online or in the store.

If you are not comfortable trimming your cats’ nails, you can also have them trimmed by a professional. A veterinarian can trim your cat’s claws, and many groomers will also offer nail trims as a service. Having your cat’s nails professionally trimmed does cost money, but it usually does not cost much.

2. Provide a Scratching Post

Another thing you can do to prevent your cat from scratching your furniture is to provide your cat with a high-quality scratching post or scratching pad. These products are designed to be scratched, and once your cat knows how they work, they will often prefer to scratch the scratching post rather than your furniture.

Cats can be trained to exhibit certain behaviors and redirecting them from the furniture to the scratching post is something your cats can learn over time. They might not scratch the post right away if they like scratching the couch, but if you redirect them to the post over and over again, they will eventually learn. Products like catnip and treats can attract your cat to the scratching post, making them more likely to use it.

Make sure you get a good scratching post or pad that will hold up over time. You don’t want to get a low-quality product that will not last very long. If your cat chews up a scratching pad too quickly, you will be left with a mess and be looking for replacements in no time. It is a good idea to invest a little bit upfront for a product that you know will last rather than one that will fall apart in a matter of days. That way, your cat will not return to scratching your furniture very quickly.

3. Remove the Cat from Furniture When They Start Scratching

If you find your cat in the middle of scratching furniture, simply pick them up and remove them from the furniture. It is a good idea to place them on a scratching pad or in an area where they are allowed to scratch instead.

You can also restrict cats from accessing their favorite furniture pieces to scratch on, cover the furniture with plastic or aluminum foil, or spray the furniture with a little deodorant, which might deter your cat. Scratching has a scent-marking component, making cats more likely to re-scratch areas they have been using; use an odor-remover to remove these attractive scents.

4. Train Your Cat

One effective way to keep your cat from scratching furniture is to deter them. This does not mean yelling at them or rough handling them, as this will scare but not teach them. Punishments, like spray bottles and loud noises, usually don’t teach cats but rather teach them to fear you. Instead, reward your cat with treats for using the scratching post.

If you need guidance on training your cat, we suggest you speak to a professional trainer or a vet.

Why Do Cats Scratch So Much?

Scratching is an instinct. Cats scratch as a way of looking after their claws. They also do it to mark their territory, and it is a sign of confidence. In the wild, cats leave marks on trees to let other animals know that there is a cat in the area. The claws also leave their scent on the tree. To this day, tigers do this and leave very visible wounds that let others know that this is tiger territory.

Your cat does the same thing but inside of your home. Leaving scratch marks on furniture is a visible way to let anything coming into the house know that there is a cat around. A scratching post that shows signs of scratching will help your cat fulfill this instinctual need to mark territory.

What About Declawing?

Declawing cats used to be more popular in years past. Declawing was a procedure in which a cat’s claws were surgically removed, along with the last phalanx of each digit. This would prevent your cat from scratching anything, but is now widely considered to be controversial, even unethical, because it is invasive, done for human convenience, strips a cat of natural behavior, and can lead to long-term problems.

It is not recommended that you look into the procedure. It is now recommended to manage a cat’s scratching instead of declawing.

Conclusion

Cats that scratch furniture can be highly frustrating for people, but the cat doesn’t think they are doing anything wrong. The good news is that there are several methods that can be employed to get them to direct this natural behavior onto more appropriate objects. These methods are all effective and will help your cat learn to stop scratching furniture.

These four methods work best when used together. Remember to be consistent and never punish them. Over time, your cat will stop scratching your couch and start scratching their scratching post (or whatever you landed on for an approved scratching item).

Featured Image Credit: Yimmyphotography, Shutterstock