Being a cat parent comes with its fair share of responsibilities and challenges. One of the biggest challenges being that they tend to scratch your furniture. We know how frustrating it can be when you buy a new couch or chair, only to have it be covered in scratch marks, which is why we’ve prepared this article for you! 

Why do our cats scratch our furniture?

Understanding why our cats scratch our furniture is the first step in preventing them from being destructive. Part of being a responsible pet parent is knowing what your cat’s needs are. Cats tend to scratch for the following reasons: 

- Stress relief & relaxation.
- Shedding old nail layers to keep their claws healthy.
- To mark their territory. 
- To stretch and exercise. 

No matter how destructive your cat is, declawing should NEVER be an option. It is an incredibly painful procedure which also causes further behavioral and physical issues like constant pain when they walk, infection, anxiety, aggression, nerve damage, and they’ll even refuse to use their litter box. 

Here is how to keep your cat from scratching your furniture to help lessen the amount of damage they inflict on your furniture!

Scratch posts everywhere:

The first thing you’ll need to do is invest in multiple scratch posts or cat trees. Thankfully, we have you covered! We have a variety of cat trees in different sizes to suit single to multi-cat households. We also have different types of scratch posts, ranging from poles to cardboard scratchers. Ideally, you should have at least one scratcher per room to keep your cats occupied and distracted from your actual furniture. Choose a spot that they frequent, and are likely to “mark” as their territory by scratching. You could also place it near the furniture they tend to scratch the most frequently. You could also designate a “cat spot” in each room for your cat to have their own personal space. 

How to encourage your cat to scratch their own furniture: 

Whenever you see your cat using their scratch post instead of your furniture, be sure to reward them with plenty of tasty treats and praise! You could also consider using catnip or play sprays to encourage your cats to scratch their own furniture.  If you spot them scratching your furniture, you could discourage them by using a spray bottle with water. Eventually they’ll learn that your furniture is off limits for scratching. 

Keep their claws trimmed:

Your cat’s nails should be regularly trimmed every 2 to 3 weeks. Trimming your cat’s nails on a regular basis will not only help reduce any scratching damage, but will also prevent ingrown nails or infections. You can trim your cat’s nails at home with our handy cat nail clippers. Just make sure you don’t cut them too short and avoid bleeding. When you clip your cat’s nails, avoid cutting them too short and close to the quick. If you have a feisty cat, try wrapping them up in a blanket or towel when clipping their nails. If you’re not confident enough to clip them yourselves, don’t worry! Our mobile grooming service offers nail clipping with every grooming package! You can also consult your local vet for instructions or guidance on how to properly clip your cat’s nails. 

Use deterrent sprays:

If your cat is still insistent on scratching your furniture, you could also consider using training sprays and deterrents. We stock a variety of sprays like Greenfields Stay Away Spray, or Beaphar Indoor Behaviour Spray. Simply spray it on the area you want to keep your cat away from, and avoid spraying it directly onto your cat. 

Your cats need to scratch, and sadly there is no avoiding it, but with the proper scratch posts, training and regular nail trimming, you can definitely save your furniture from prying claws! Be sure to check out the rest of our range of cat products to ensure your feline friend is happy, healthy and spoiled!