Stop Scratching! How To Keep Your Cat Off The Furniture

Are you tired of constantly shooing your cat off the furniture or dealing with scratched upholstery? 

If so, you’re not alone. Many cat owners struggle with the challenge of keeping their cats off the furniture, and it’s no surprise given that scratching is one of the most common behavioral issues reported by pet owners. 

In fact, up to 60 percent of cat owners report scratching as a problematic behavior (Wilson et al., 2016). 

But before you resort to drastic measures, there are several strategies you can try to keep your furry friend off your favorite sofa or chair. 

In this article, I’ll explore some of the most effective ways to redirect your cat from scratching and climbing on your furniture, without compromising her well-being or your relationship with her. 

Understanding Cat Behavior

Scratching is a natural behavior for cats, but it can become a problem when it starts causing damage to household items, like chairs, furniture, carpet, sofas, doorways, walls, and curtains (Cisneros et al., 2022).

Our goal then must be to redirect the behavior to a more appropriate outlet, rather than prevent it altogether.

That’s what we’ll focus on in this article, so keep reading!

Why Cats Scratch

Scratching provides several benefits, including:

• Good Stretch: Scratching helps cats stretch out, exercise their muscles, and maintain their flexibility.

• Cat Manicure: Scratching helps cats maintain their claws. It removes the dead layer of claw, keeping their claws sharp and healthy.

• Calling Card: Cats have scent glands in their paws, so scratching is a way for them to mark their territory and communicate with other cats. By scratching, they leave their scent on the surface, letting other cats know that they’ve been there. In addition to this chemical signal, it also creates a very clear visual signal.

• Behavioral Issues: Scratching provides an outlet for what is an instinctive behavior. When cats have the opportunity to engage in it, it can reduce frustration and, potentially, the likelihood of other destructive behaviors developing.

• Outdoor Cats: For outdoor cats, scratching serves as a way to sharpen their claws, enabling them to be more proficient hunters and climb trees to avoid potential danger. It’s an important behavior for their survival.

• Tension Reliever: Research shows that scratching behavior increases when cats experience stress, such as social tension with other cats or changes in the household.

Overview of the Different Types of Scratching Surfaces Cats Prefer

While it can be frustrating if your cat is scratching your furniture, now we know it’s an instinctive behavior, all we have to do is redirect kitty’s scratching habits to a more appropriate location.

Easy, right?! 

I’ll talk about how to do that in just a moment.

Providing Appropriate Scratching Surfaces

There are a wide range of scratching posts available on the market and each cat will have her own individual preferences.

Things to consider:

• Texture/Substrate: Some cats prefer cardboard, while others prefer sisal, wood, hemp, rope, or carpet. Given the choice, my cats prefer an actual tree in the forest. But as so many cats are indoor-only it’s important to provide them with an appropriate surface in the home too.

• Length/Height: When choosing a scratching post, consider height and stability. Some cats prefer tall posts, while others like shorter ones. Make sure the post is sturdy and won’t tip over when your cat uses it.

• Angle: Another thing to consider is the angle of the scratching surface. Some cats prefer horizontal surfaces, while others prefer vertical or diagonal ones. Again, it’s a good idea to provide a variety of angles to see what your cat likes best.

• Stability: A sturdy post that is tall enough to allow your cat to really get stuck in is best, as cats like to feel secure when scratching. 

Conduct A Preference Test

Different cats have individual preferences when it comes to scratching surfaces so to find out what your cat likes, I recommend you conduct what’s known as a preference test. 

You can do this simply by providing several different types of scratching options and observing your cat’s behavior to see which surface she favors. 

Does she scratch one surface more than the others? 

Does she prefer a certain angle or height? 

Once you know what your cat likes, you can provide her with scratching options that meet her preferences.

And if she has a scratch post (ideally more than one) that she enjoys using, she’s far more likely to keep using it – rather than resort to your best leather sofa.

What Research Tells Us About Cat Scratching Preferences

A study by Zhang & McGlone (2020), involving 36 adult cats, found the following:

• Standing or vertical scratchers are preferred by cats, especially neutered male cats. 

• Cats spent more time with the scratching substrates of cardboard and rope than with carpet and sofa fabric.

• Standing scratchers covered with cardboard and rope may be good choices for scratching devices for adult cats. 

Another study, by Wilson and colleagues (2022), involving responses from 4,331 cat owners, found the following:

• The ideal scratching post has rope as a substrate, is upright vertical, 3 ft. or higher, has two or more levels, and a base width of between 1 and 3 ft. 

• Rope was the most frequently used substrate when offered, followed by carpet.

• Geriatric cats between 10 and 14 years old preferred carpet substrate most frequently, while all other ages preferred rope first.

• Cats scratched their preferred substrate more often when the post was a simple upright type.

• They also scratched their preferred substrate more often when it was a cat tree with two or more levels and at least 3 ft high.

• Inappropriate scratching decreased with age.

• Intact or neutered cats (males and females) were equally likely to scratch inappropriately.

• Inappropriate scratching decreased as the availability of different types/styles of posts increased in the home.

What does this tell us? 

That the type of scratch post you provide for your cat is a really important factor in where she decides to engage in her scratching behavior.

So get conducting those preference tests!

How To Encourage Your Cat To Use The Scratching Post

Now you know what your kitty likes, it’s time to teach her to use her preferred scratching post. 

Training and Positive Reinforcement

Training your cat to use a scratching post takes a combination of patience and positive reinforcement. 

I’ve already mentioned the importance of location. 

There’s no point putting the scratch post in the laundry if your cat never spends any time there.

In fact, I would start by placing the scratch post right next to the piece of furniture you want her to stop scratching.

That way she is already used to the location. You can move it later, once she is using it reliably.

Cat trees or a cat tower will work too if you prefer.

What Is Positive Reinforcement?

Positive reinforcement is a method of encouraging a behavior by offering a desirable consequence after the behavior occurs. 

It involves adding something pleasant, like praise, a treat, or a reward, to increase the likelihood of the behavior being repeated in the future. 

How Do I Use Positive Reinforcement To Train My Cat To Use The Scratch Post?

I usually start by throwing a toy furry mouse onto the base of the scratch post for the cat to pounce on.

Alternatively, you can wave a wand toy around and across the post, or pull a piece of string over it.

Anything that will get your cat interested in the location and the post in general.

Not only that, but if she’s playing, her emotions will already be heightened and she is more likely to start scratching naturally as a way to release some of that pent-up energy.

Another option is to scatter some catnip or silver vine on the post. 

Many cats will find this irresistible.

Any time your cat shows interest in her scratch post or, even better, starts scratching, reward her hugely with praise or her favorite treats.

The more her behavior is rewarded, the more likely she is to repeat it. In time, it becomes a learned behavior.

Again, research shows that when our furry friends are rewarded for using their scratch post, they are more likely to use the appropriate target (Wilson et al., 2022).

Which is the whole purpose of the exercise!

Not only that, but as your cat starts to build up a positive association with her scratch post and the act of scratching there, she’ll just keep going back for more.

The Importance Of Location

Once your cat is reliably using her scratch post near the furniture she likes to scratch, you can start to move it to where you would like it to be.

I always find that adjacent to doorways or by windows are good locations. 

But don’t move it all in one go.

Move it gradually, a few inches at a time, over a period of days or even weeks so it’s not too much of a shock (cats don’t always respond well to change!) and kitty doesn’t revert to her old scratching habits.

According to the available research, placing a cat’s favored scratcher in the right location can potentially reduce the instances of inappropriate scratching on furniture, so this piece of the puzzle is extremely important (Zhang & McGlone, 2020). 

Again, you’d need to conduct a few more preference tests to work out where the right location is! 

What we are doing here is redirecting the cat’s natural scratching behavior to a more appropriate outlet – in a location she likes and that works for you too.

Once you get the perfect match, it could – and should – effectively decrease any damage kitty is causing to your precious household items.

Environmental Management: Covering The Furniture

While you are working on training your cat to use her new scratch post, you may still need to manage the environment to try to avoid her going back to her old habits.

Here are some options (Note: these are only temporary so don’t worry too much about how it looks!):

• Temporarily cover the furniture in question with a sheet or blanket until she gets used to her new scratching post area. Some cats will stop scratching when they realize their claws won’t sink into the fabric. 

• You could also try double-sided sticky tape or aluminum foil on the edges of the furniture to deter her from scratching it. Cats generally won’t like getting sticky paws and some cats don’t like the texture of aluminum foil either.

• Another option is to place clear vinyl panels over your furniture, or even tack on sheets of plastic in kitty’s preferred spots.

While these measures may or may not protect your furniture, it is still important to provide an attractive alternative and reward your cat for showing any interest in it.

This is all part of the training process.

What If My Cat Still Scratches The Furniture?

While you are training your cat to use her new scratch post, you may find she still goes back to her old favorite scratching spot.

Even if you have tried to cover it.

Pre-empt – Interrupt – Distract

One of the most effective ways to manage your cat’s behavior is to pre-empt unwanted behaviors.

So if you see her inching toward the sofa, distract her by throwing a toy/waving your wand toy/pulling your piece of string along the ground in the direction of the scratch post.

When she gets there keep the game going and scatter your catnip or silver vine to keep her there and encourage her to scratch.

Don’t forget to reward her with treats, praise, or petting (if she likes that!) so her new behavior gets reinforced.

If she has already started scratching, you can still try to lure her away with a toy or a game in the same way.

Another option is to call her name or shake the bag of her favorite treats to distract her.

Make sure you reward her the moment she pauses her scratching.

Why Using Deterrents Is Not Advised

While using deterrents may seem like a simple solution, it’s important to consider the potential negative consequences. 

Aversive techniques like loud noises, cat repellent, citrus spray, repellent spray, homemade spray, or spraying your cat with a water bottle or some sort of apple cider vinegar concoction (you’ll see that advice a lot online, unfortunately) can all scare your cat and make her fearful of you. 

They won’t teach her an alternative behavior either.

Not only that, but you will also have to be there every single time for the rest of your cat’s life to administer the punishment – which is not possible. Much less desirable!

Instead, it’s better to train an alternative behavior that rewards your cat for good behavior, as I have outlined above.

The goal is to set our cat up for success, not for failure.

“Punishment can increase the cat’s anxiety, further exacerbating the inappropriate scratching behavior,” explained Wilson and colleagues (2016).

“Therefore, it’s important to understand the underlying reasons for a cat’s scratching behavior and to provide appropriate scratching surfaces and environmental enrichment to prevent destructive behavior.

Tips for Creating a Cat-Friendly Home

If you want to keep your cat off your furniture, it’s also important to create a cat-friendly home that meets her needs. 

Here are some tips to help you create the perfect environment for your feline friend:

Provide A Variety Of Resources

Provide plenty of scratch posts and beds for your cat to use instead of the furniture. 

Make sure they’re located in areas that she likes – near windows, in sunny spots, etc. 

In addition, make sure she has the choice of locations to eat and drink.

I have three food and drink stations set up around the home.

They are elevated so the cats can eat in peace and the dogs can’t get to the food or disturb the cats when they’re eating.

It’s also important to have a choice of litter boxes if possible, especially if you live in a multi-cat household.

The rule of thumb is one per cat plus one extra – at a minimum.

Provide High Places For Your Cat To Perch

Cats love to climb and perch in high places, so it’s important to provide them with plenty of opportunities to do so. 

Consider investing in a cat tree or installing shelves on the walls for your cat to climb. 

This will not only give her a place to perch, but it will also help her feel more secure in their environment.

If you live in a smaller space, it’s a great way to provide your cat with extra space without infringing too much on the floor plan.

Provide Hiding Places

Hiding places such as cardboard boxes can also reduce stress, according to studies (Kry & Casey, 2007). 

So make sure your cat has a few safe spaces to retreat and hide away if she wants to.

Keep Cats Busy with Toys and Interactive Play

Providing your cat with toys and interactive play will help keep her busy and prevent her from becoming bored and destructive. 

They will also provide a much-needed outlet for those feline hunting instincts.

Mental Enrichment

Food puzzle toys, hunting games, and interactive play are also great ways to keep your cat mentally stimulated. 

When your cat uses her brain to think rationally and work out solutions to puzzles, her emotional brain will take a back seat – meaning she’ll be calmer and more relaxed in general.

Again, this will help prevent behavioral issues such as destructive behavior born of frustration.

Outdoor Access?

According to Cisneros and colleagues (2022), providing outdoor access (via enclosure, on leash, tethered, or roaming free) can have a protective effect against unwanted scratching.

This is likely because cats will have access to more opportunities, surfaces, and materials to scratch outdoors compared to when confined indoors. 

However, when cats are kept indoors, research suggests that providing enrichment, such as I have described in this section, may serve as a substitute to reduce problematic scratching.

Dealing With Cat Claws

Cats’ claws are an essential part of their anatomy, used for scratching, climbing, and self-defense. 

Keeping Claws Healthy

Feline claws are retractable and consist of layers of keratin, the same material found in human nails. 

They are essential for cats to perform their natural behaviors, such as scratching and climbing. 

The Negative Effects Of Declawing

Declawing (known as “onychectomy”) is a surgical procedure that involves amputating the last bone of a cat’s toe. 

It is a painful and traumatic procedure that can lead to long-term physical and even behavioral issues. 

For this reason, it is banned in many countries.

Declawed cats may experience chronic pain, difficulty walking, and increased aggression. 

It’s important to avoid declawing your cat and instead use alternative methods to prevent furniture damage.

“The primary reason for declawing cats is to prevent household damage caused by furniture scratching, with 86% of cats being presented for this reason,” write Wilson et al. (2022).

“Onychectomy is a controversial procedure that can save many cats from being surrendered, but it is considered illegal in many places and presents a welfare issue. 

“The procedure involves surgery, amputation, and pain for the cat, all for a behavior that is normal for them.”

Case Study: Millie – Our Adopted Declawed Cat

We adopted senior cat Millie from the shelter when she was relinquished at the ripe old age of 12 years. 

Poor Millie was declawed and experienced pain not only while walking, but also when trying to dig in the litter to use her litter box. 

For this reason, she often did not cover her deposits.

She would also still try to scratch, even though there were no claws there to scratch with.

In her later years, we had to use medication to help manage her pain. 

Millie was the sweetest cat you could ever meet and I can’t for a moment imagine her ever scratching furniture.

Even if she had, it would have been so easy to train her not to.

Instead, she spent most of her life suffering when it was completely avoidable.

Soft Nail Caps As An Alternative?

Soft nail caps can be a humane and safe alternative to declawing. 

They are small, vinyl caps that fit over your cat’s nails to prevent them from causing damage. 

The nail caps are fairly easy to apply (depending on the cat!) and last for several weeks.

They also come in a variety of colors and sizes to fit your cat’s claws. 

However, some cats will find the application of the nail caps stressful and the sensation of them on their claws to be unpleasant.

If you decide to try this option, be prepared to abandon if your cat is showing signs of stress or discomfort.

Before You Go

Keeping your cat off your furniture may require some effort and patience, but it’s definitely worth it for everyone’s long-term happiness and well-being. 

By providing your cat with appropriate outlets for her scratching behavior and applying the tips suggested in this article, you can keep your furniture scratch-free and your cat(s) happy.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: 

• Can’t Sleep At Night? How To Keep Your Cat Off Your Bed
• How To Calm Down Your Hyper Cat (13 Simple Ways)

Resources

• Owner observations regarding cat scratching behavior: an internet-based survey – Colleen Wilson, Melissa Bain, Theresa DePorter, Alexandra Beck, Vanessa Grassi, & Gary Landsberg
• Scratcher preferences of adult in-home cats and effects of olfactory supplements on cat scratching – Lingna Zhang & John J. McGlone
• The effect of hiding enrichment on stress levels and behaviour of domestic cats (Felis sylvestris catus) in a shelter setting and the implications for adoption potential – K. Kry and R. Casey
• Unwanted Scratching Behavior in Cats: Influence of Management Strategies and Cat and Owner Characteristics – Alissa Cisneros, Dorothy Litwin, Lee Niel, & Anastasia C. Stellato

NEED HELP FROM A CAT BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST?

If you need more help dealing with a training or behavior issue, please find professional help from a certified feline behavior consultant. They will be able to offer you tailored advice for your cat(s) and situation.

Good places to start are:
- International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
- COAPE Association of Pet Behaviourists and Trainers
- American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior