How do I stop my cat from scratching the furniture?

Scratching is a completely natural and necessary feline behaviour — it is not destructive or spiteful. Cats scratch to maintain their claws (removing the outer sheath), to stretch their muscles and tendons, and to leave both visual marks and scent signals (from glands in the paws). You cannot eliminate scratching; you can only redirect it.

Why cats scratch specific surfaces

Cats scratch surfaces that are:
- Tall enough to allow a full vertical stretch
- Stable (not wobbly)
- Textured appropriately for their preference (some prefer vertical, some horizontal; some prefer sisal, some carpet, some cardboard)
- In prominent locations where their marks will be seen — often near entrances, sleeping areas, and areas of social conflict

This is why the corner of the sofa in the main living area is such a common target.

Provide satisfying alternatives

The key is giving the cat something more satisfying to scratch than your furniture:

- Scratching posts — must be tall enough for a full stretch (minimum 60–70 cm), stable, and made of a material the cat prefers. Sisal rope is the most universally accepted.
- Horizontal scratchers — flat corrugated cardboard trays for cats that prefer horizontal scratching
- Placement — put scratching posts where the cat currently scratches: near the sofa, by the bedroom door, next to sleeping areas. Attractive posts in the wrong location will be ignored.
- Multiple posts — in multi-cat households, one per cat plus one extra

Make current surfaces less appealing

- Double-sided tape — applied to the scratched areas, the sticky texture is aversive to most cats. Remove once the cat is reliably using the post.
- Furniture protectors — clear plastic guards for furniture corners
- Aluminium foil — on horizontal surfaces; most cats dislike the sound and texture

Encourage use of the post

- Rub catnip on the post (works for cats that respond to catnip, approximately 50–70%)
- Dangle a toy near the top of the post — as the cat reaches up, they scratch
- Never force the cat's paws onto the post — this causes negative associations

Flovvi tip

Log scratch locations in Flovvi notes to identify patterns. If scratching increases suddenly (new pet, household change), it may be marking behaviour driven by stress — address the underlying stressor.