How To Stop Cats From Scratching Furniture

Big or small, purebred or mixed, feral or domesticated—all cats are instinctually inclined to scratch! There are a handful of key reasons why scratching is a natural behavior for cats:

• To sharpen their claws: “This is how they remove old nail and expose the new, strong, sharp portion of the nail,” says Gary Richter, DVM, owner of Holistic Veterinary Care in Oakland, California.
• To mark their territory: Because your cat’s paws have scent glands, scratching is a way for them to mark their territory. (Hey, at least it’s better than spraying!)
• To express their emotions: Cats tend to scratch when they’re feeling excited or anxious, says Amanda Williams, DVM, chief veterinarian at Furry Friends Adoption, Clinic & Ranch in Jupiter, Florida.

But why do cats scratch furniture, specifically? Dr. Richter says that cats are all about textures, and that they also often prefer using a vertical scratching surface. This makes the plush, upright sofas and chairs in cat households particularly tempting.

The key is to let your cat scratch their little heart out—as long as they’re scratching appropriate objects.

Ready to learn how to get cats to stop scratching furniture? Follow this step-by-step guide and you’ll be on your way.

Do your best to make their favorite scratching ground undesirable. This means using cat scratching deterrents in the spots they frequent most.

One way to protect furniture from cat scratching is to cover it with a tight-fitting sheet or blanket. A throw blanket that covers their favorite spots can even be a nice decorative touch.

For small surfaces, cover the area with something that is sticky, smooth, or slick, like double-sided tape.

Aluminum foil can also be an excellent deterrent, since many cats don’t like the noise it makes or the way it feels under their paws.

Another trick to stop cat scratching is furniture spray repellent. Some cats dislike certain smells—like citrus or vinegar—and will steer clear of areas that have been sprayed.

Pro Tip: An odor-neutralizing spray can also help fight your cat’s marking instinct. The theory is that it gets rid of the scent they left behind the last time they scratched. That makes them less likely to revisit the spot again.

The next step in keeping cats from scratching furniture is to introduce a variety of cat scratchers or cat trees to your home. Every cat has their own preference, so offering a few options is best.

For example, some cats prefer rope or carpet textures, while others like cardboard. Some like vertical surfaces while others like horizontal scratchers. Add a few to your home and note what’s the best cat scratcher for your unique kitty.

Encourage your cat to use the scratcher by putting it near their typical scratching area—for example, next to the couch. This way they’re still going to the same area of your home they typically frequent but are choosing—on their own terms—to scratch the more desirable scratcher.

Over time, you can slowly move the catch scratcher toward someplace in the house you would prefer. Just move it a little each day so the cat gradually gets used to the change.

Though you might be tempted to bring your cat over to the scratcher, Dr. Williams recommends letting your cats find and use it on their own. However, there are some things you can do to speed up the process.

“Play with the cat with a cat laser or a cat wand in the vicinity of the scratching post so that the cat will begin interacting with the scratching post on their own terms,” she suggests.

She adds that you can also rub catnip on the scratcher to attract your cat to the area. (You won’t have to keep reapplying catnip forever—your cat will eventually become conditioned to go to the scratcher without the catnip.)

Another option is to place their favorite cat toys or even a cat treat on top of the cat scratcher.

There’s one exception to the “don’t bring your cat to the scratcher” rule: when you catch your cat scratching inappropriately. In this case, redirect them to their scratching post or other appropriate scratcher.

The best way to do so is to pick them up from the area they’re scratching and set them aside. You can also break out the lasers, toys, and catnip and start playing with them wherever their new cat scratcher is located.

The goal is to make using the scratcher more rewarding than whatever else they’re scratching.

Keep the cat scratching deterrents in place as long as you can tolerate them. It may not be pretty or convenient, but it will help your cat become less interested in the furniture and a lot more interested in their scratchers.

If you remove the deterrents and your cat goes back to the off-limits spot, it’s a good idea to use the deterrents again.

Cats naturally scratch to stretch their muscles, mark territory, and relieve stress or boredom. When their energy isn’t channeled constructively, they may turn to your couch as an outlet.

Providing ample stimulation through interactive play, climbing structures, and puzzle feeders gives your cat appropriate ways to express these instincts. This can reduce destructive behaviors by keeping your cat’s body and mind engaged, making them less likely to scratch out of frustration.

For indoor-only cats, regular nail trims done every six weeks (or as needed) can help them to shed old nails and prevent nails from overgrowing and curling around to embed in the paw pads of your cat’s toes. It can also help reduce urgent desires to scratch your furniture.

You can clip your cat’s nails at home with nail clippers, like Frisco Dog & Cat Nail Clippers. Just make sure to trim only the very top portion of the nail to prevent cutting into the quick.

If you’re nervous about clipping your cat’s nails, this is something you can have a veterinarian or groomer help with.

Outdoor cats may not need their nails trimmed. Dr. Williams says, “For outdoor cats, their nails are part of their self-defense mechanism. Their claws should be checked regularly to prevent ingrown nails, but otherwise left alone.”

Also, their nails tend to wear down naturally on the rougher surfaces found outside.

Our experts do not recommend using nail caps, which can sometimes get caught on rugs and furniture as they start to grow out. This can lead to injury. Cats may also chew at them or ingest them as they fall off with time. Regular nail trims are preferred.

Even if you’re frustrated with your cat’s scratching habits, think twice before you consider declawing.

Both the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) are opposed to the procedure except as a last resort, as are many veterinarians, behaviorists, and other animal lovers.

“The process of declawing is an amputation of part of the digit. Imagine having your fingers amputated at the first knuckle—that is what declawing is,” Dr. Richter explains.

Declawing can cause cats pain during and after the surgery, and many vets believe it can also cause behavior or personality shifts.

Cats use their claws for play and defense, so declawing can make it more difficult for cats to do both of those things—and that can lead to behavior issues down the road.

Dr. Richter says it can also cause cats to develop a biting habit, since biting is their next best way to defend and play.

In general, positive reinforcement (aka rewarding good behavior, like in the steps above) is the best way to approach any type of training with your pet—including teaching your cat where to scratch appropriately.