A compassionate guide to redirecting natural behavior.

Why Cats Scratch (and Why That’s a Good Thing)

If your cat is clawing up your favorite chair, it’s not revenge or rebellion – it’s instinct and it’s natural.

Cats scratch to:

• Sharpen and shed their nails
• Stretch and flex their spine and muscles
• Mark their territory (scratching leaves both visual marks and scent from glands in their paws)
• Release energy or emotional tension

So instead of stopping them, we want to redirect the behavior to something more appropriate (and less expensive to replace).

Step 1: Provide Appealing Scratching Options

To a cat, not all scratching surfaces are equal. Many cats ignore a post simply because it doesn’t feel right or isn’t in the right location.

Try Different:

• Textures:
  • Sisal rope or fabric
  • Corrugated cardboard
  • Wood
  • Carpet remnants
• Styles:
  • Vertical posts (tall enough for a full stretch!)
  • Horizontal floor scratchers
  • Inclined boards
  • Scratching loungers

Location Matters:

• Place the post next to the furniture they like to scratch
• Set one near favorite nap spots (they often stretch after sleeping)
• Put one near windows or high-traffic areas (scratching = scent-marking = claiming territory)

🎯 Tip: If your cat likes scratching the side of the couch, try a vertical post with a similar texture right next to it. Even better if the post is taller than the couch arm.

Step 2: Make the Furniture Unattractive (Temporarily)

Once you’ve set up approved scratching spots, make the couch less appealing.

Try:

• Double-sided sticky tape (like Sticky Paws or couch-specific versions)
  • Cats dislike the sticky feeling on their paws
  • Tape is transparent and can be removed after the habit fades
• Throw blankets, furniture protectors, or slipcovers on common scratching areas
• Cat-safe deterrent sprays – citrus or bitter apple scents can repel some cats
• Plastic couch guards – thin sheets that protect corners and sides

Reminder: This is temporary. Most cats stop going back to the furniture once they’ve developed new habits (usually after a few weeks to a few months).

Step 3: Make Their Scratching Spots Irresistible

To encourage the right behavior, make the new posts super appealing:

• Sprinkle or rub catnip on the scratching surface
• Use toys (wands or string) to initiate play around the post
• Reward scratching behavior with praise, treats, or gentle affection
• Add scent: Cats are drawn to their own smell, so if they’ve already touched the post, don’t clean it right away

Consider using interactive scratchers or scratching toys that combine scratching with play or treats.

What NOT to Do

• 🚫 Never yell or punish your catfor scratching
  • This creates fear and confusion, not behavior change
• 🚫 Never declaw
  • Declawing is an inhumane practice that causes chronic pain in cats for the remainder of their life and changes normal cat behavior. It’s not just nail removal, it’s the amputation of part of each toe. It’s equivalent to cutting off the tip of your finger at the top joint. It’s painful, traumatic, and banned in many countries and some U.S. cities and states.
• 🚫 Don’t expect overnight success
  • Consistency and patience is key. Give it a few weeks.

Helpful Products (Recommended Tools)

Here are a few products I, and many cat parents, swear by:

• Sticky Paws furniture strips and sheets (these are great to put on the areas of your furniture where your cat scratches. The sticky tape deters them from scratching unwanted surfaces)
• SmartCat Sisal Scratching Post (this is a great one for cats who like to scratch on vertical surfaces. It’s tall so they can really stretch up.)
• The Original Cat Scratch Lounge (some of my cats love this one)
• Best Pet Supplies Sloped Sisal Cat Scratcher
• PetFusion Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge (this is a huge favorite with all of my cats)
• Feliway Classic Calming spray (mimics calming feline pheromones – helps cats feel safe and secure.)

Final Thoughts: It’s Not Mischief, It’s Communication

Your cat isn’t being “bad” – they’re being a cat. Scratching is how they stretch, express themselves, and claim space. With a little patience, the right tools, and a sprinkle of catnip, you can help your cat develop furniture-friendly habits that work for both of you. Your cat gets to be a cat. Your couch gets to survive another year. Win-win.