Why Cats Scratch Furniture—and What to Do

Scratched corner of the sofa may look like a bad habit. For a cat, scratching is a normal part of life. Helps her take care of the claws, stretch the body, and at the same time mark the space in which she moves.

So if a cat scratches a couch, chair or other furniture, the aim is not to stop the scratching altogether. It's much better to offer her a more suitable place that matches How and where he wants to scratch.

Why do cats scratch

When scratching the claws, external worn layers are released. The cat also connects the front of the body and can stretch properly.

But scratching also has a communication function. It leaves a visible trace and the smell of glands on the paws. That's why cats often choose the obvious places they pass regularly.

The corner of the sofa in the middle of the living room can be much more interesting for the cat than the scratcher hidden in another room.

Watch what exactly the cat scratches

Before you buy or make a new scratcher, look at the current behavior of the cat.

If she stands on the back, pulls out her front paws and scratches the side of the sofa, she's probably comfortable with it. vertical scraping areaIn this case, it needs a high enough scratcher to stretch comfortably.

If scratching carpet or floor, it may prefer horizontal scratcherSome cats are satisfied with the area placed at a mild angle.

Material is important. Favourite is sisal or cardboard, but the preferences of individual cats may differ.

Put the scratcher where the problem arises

One of the most common mistakes is the right scratcher in the wrong place.

If the cat scratches the left corner of the sofa every day, try placing the new scratcher right next to it first. Not in the corner of a room you think would look better.

The cat has already shown you by choosing the furniture that it considers the site suitable for scratching.

When the scratcher is used regularly, you can move it gradually if necessary. A big change in location from day to day may lead to a return to the original place.

The scratcher must be stable

The cat can develop quite a force on the construction during scratching. If the scratcher shuffles or overturns when first used, the sofa can become an increasingly attractive choice.

The vertical scratcher therefore needs a fixed base or safe fixing. At the same time, it should be high enough for the cat to reach out.

In the case of a horizontal scratcher, check that it does not slip over the floor when using it.

What to do with the place the cat is already scratching

The addition of scratcher itself may not be enough. The original place is already part of the cat habit.

The damaged part of the furniture can be temporarily covered with material that does not suit the cat's scratching or otherwise restrict its access. At the same time, offer an appropriate alternative as close as possible.

The site is also worth cleaning in a way suitable for a specific surface. The scratched area is not only visually marked - the cat also leaves its scent on it.

However, avoid preparations or home mixtures which could be irritating or inappropriate for the cat.

Don't punish the cat for scratching

Screaming or punishment can stop a cat at a given moment, but it doesn't solve the reason why it scratches.

The cat can only learn not to scratch the furniture in your presence. The need to scratch remains.

It's more practical to redirect behavior to the right place. When the cat uses the new scratcher, let it finish in peace. Some cats will also be helped by a game near it or a positive reward after use.

When the cat keeps ignoring the scratch

If she has a scratcher, but she keeps using the sofa, it doesn't automatically mean she doesn't like scratchers.

Check four things in turn: location, orientation, material and stability.

A cat scratching a carpet doesn't need a high sisal column. A cat that stretches all over the sofa height may not be satisfied with a low scratcher.

Sometimes more than one variant is needed. The point is not to unlearn the cat from scratching, but to create a place that will be more attractive to this natural way of behavior than your furniture.