If you've ever stepped into your living room and are met with fresh claw marks on your brand new couch, you know how challenging life with a scratching cat can be. I'm right there with you! My tabby, Luna, turned my couch into her personal nail salon almost instantly after bringing her home.
I first thought it meant she secretly hated me. But, after a number of articles and conversations with my vet, along with a lot of trial and error, I came to realize scratching isn't a bad behaviour—it's instinct. Cats scratch to mark their territory, to stretch their muscles, and to keep their claws in good condition. So, the key isn't to provide a way to stop scratching altogether (that is impossible), but rather help teach where to scratch.
Here is what finally worked for me and Luna along with tips that professionals back up that you can try at home.
- Provide Cats With Tempting Alternatives
I know it seems trivial, but it is crucial; your cat needs something to scratch. Per Dr. Mikel Delgado, a cat behaviourist and researcher, "if you aren’t providing cats with appropriate scratching options, they will find their own scratching option, and you probably aren’t going to like their options."
For Luna, I started off by buying her a solid vertical scratching post covered in sisal rope https://amzn.to/3GnpOnV and putting it right next to the couch she adored scratching. I also put a horizontal cardboard scratcher close by, because some cats like to scratch on their back on the floor.
To help it seem more appealing, I sprinkled some catnip on the scratchers, and I also played with Luna around the scratchers with a feather toy. Anytime she scratched on them, she received treats and a lot of praise. It didn’t happen overnight, but over time she gradually selected the new posts.
- Protect Your Furniture – At Least For Now
While Luna learned what to scratch, I needed to protect my sofa from any additional damage. My veterinarian suggested to me that I use double sided cat deterrent tape https://amzn.to/40w56Jg on the places she was focusing on. Cats seem to not like the sticky texture, and are less likely to scratch there.
One other option that worked for me was to drape an old blanket over the sofa arm, in case she did scratch there, at least it was something I could replace. Eventually, as Luna shifted to her posts, I was able to peel off the tape and remove the old blankets.
- Keep The Scratching Posts Interesting
I realized that cats can get bored with their scratchers, especially when they become rickety or worn out. Dr. Delgado notes that you should ensure that scratching posts are tall enough (at least 28 – 32 inches) and secure enough so the cat can fully stretch while using them.
Every few months, I would rotate her scratchers, or even just move them to a new spot in the house to refresh them. I would also mix them up occasionally with some catnip or silvervine powder, to make them exciting new toys.
- Trim Those Claws
Another tip I got from my vet was to keep Luna’s claws trimmed. With shorter claws, there is less damage if she does scratch the wrong item.
Initially, I was nervous about trimming; however, with some practice (and plenty of treats), it was easy to incorporate into our routine. Now I trim her nails every few weeks, and it has done a great job of minimizing the damage to our furniture.
- Never Punish, Redirect!
I'll be honest; I very rarely punished Luna. In the early days, I may have clapped or said, "No!" when I saw her scratching at the couch. Every expert from every cat trainer I consulted said not to punish; it doesn't work. They warned me that punishment only causes a cat to become anxious or fearful, and that could potentially cause unwanted behaviours to increase.
When I did see Luna approach the couch, I would gently pick her up and put her beside her scratching post. Once she began to scratch on the post, I would deliver the treat or say, "Good girl!" Over time, she started to understand that was the "right" place to scratch.
- Know Their Preferences
Not all scratchers are created equal; cats are not all the same! Luna loved to scratch sisal rope and cardboard, but she was indifferent to scratchers made of carpet. Some cats like horizontal scratchers; some like vertical scratchers; some like incline/slope ramps!
Paying attention to their body posture while scratching, as well as different textures, can help you figure out what they would enjoy scratching the most!
Looking Back
It took time and patience, but Luna doesn't scratch the couch hardly at all anymore. Now she only scratches scratching posts, cardboard pads, or on her window perch with sisal covering.
When working with a scratching cat, you have to remember; it is not about eliminating scratching behaviour, it is about teaching your cat where it is ok to scratch. With the right tools, lots of encouragement, and some patience and understanding, you can protect your furniture, and keep your cat happy, healthy, and stimulated.
In the end, sharing the space with a cat will always mean tolerating some amount of chaos; thankfully that chaos does NOT include shredding the sofa!