A cat is a precious member of our families. As an owner, however, it is quite upsetting when they start scratching furniture that you’ve spent your hard-earned money on.
Scratching is normal behaviour, but we need to get them to scratch what we allow, and not what they feel comfortable with. Knowing how to stop a cat from scratching furniture can improve your relationship with them and save your valuable furniture. But first, before we share some solutions, let’s take a quick look at what is behind this routine behaviour.
Why do cats scratch?
- To mark territory.
- Maintains healthy joints and tendons.
- Scratching forms part of their grooming ritual.
- Relieves anxiety.
- Exercise.
- To show their excitement.
What can I do to save my furniture?
Anticipate when your cat is going to scratch. This will usually be after a nap, when they want to mark their territory, or when they are excited (e.g. after you come home from work).
Cats will have a different preference in what they want to scratch. Some cats prefer vertical surfaces and other cats like horizontal flat surfaces where they can stretch and scratch.
- When you get your new resident, have a variety of scratch posts that are made from different material, shapes, and sizes.
- Place the scratch post next to the area where you do not want them to scratch. E.g. next to a couch, curtain etc.
- Wrap double sided sticky tape, glad wrap, or plastic around the area you want your cat to avoid. Cats find the feeling of these substrates unpleasant.
- Reward your cat when they do scratch at the required place/ post. This can be done with a small cat-approved treat (like kibble), or via the guidance of a registered clicker trainer.
If your cat continues to scratch, seek the help of a veterinary behaviourist.