Does Your Cat Scratch Furniture?

Saturday, 11th November 2023

How to Stop Your Cat From Scratching the Sofa

While you adore your cat dearly, you also value the appearance and condition of your furniture, so discovering it has torn your cherished couch to pieces is most disheartening!

The fact is, scratching is a hard-wired instinct as natural to cats as walking upright is to us, so expecting cats to cease scratching is akin to ceasing movement ourselves!

Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why your cat may be scratching the sofa and what solutions or strategies are available to channel their behavior in a more positive, beneficial direction?

Territorial Tactics:

Cats are inherently territorial creatures, and scratching serves as their method of marking territory. Your sofa could unwittingly become the canvas for a feline masterpiece, boldly asserting, "This spot is mine!"

Nail Maintenance:

Scratching isn't merely a pastime for cats; it's an essential aspect of their nail maintenance. They require the removal of the outer layer of their claws, and unfortunately, your sofa happens to be the most convenient emery board around.

Stretching Stretches:

Cats relish a good stretch, and your sofa offers the ideal surface for a comprehensive body flex. Consider it their equivalent of a yoga mat, albeit with a touch more claw involvement.

Stress Relief:

Similar to how we might use a stress ball, cats scratch to alleviate tension. Hence, if your feline companion is undergoing a challenging period, your sofa might inadvertently serve as a stress-relief outlet.

Visual and Scent Marking:

Scratching isn't solely a physical act for cats; it encompasses a multisensory experience. They leave both visible marks and scent markings from glands in their paws, giving your sofa a complete aromatic treatment.

Attention, please:

Cats are astute creatures and understand how to capture your attention. If they observe that a few claw marks prompt a flurry of activity, they might continue scratching for the thrill of your response.

Boredom Buster:

Cats require mental and physical stimulation. In the absence of adequate entertainment, they may resort to your sofa for recreational scratching, signaling their need for more toys.

Texture Preference:

Cats have discerning tastes too. Your sofa might offer a texture that particularly appeals to your feline companion, serving as their subtle indication of a sophisticated furniture preference.

Irrisitable Sofa Materials

Three types of fabric that are prone to cat scratching: 

• Tweed sofas may offer a lot in their beautiful texture and ease of cleaning, but for a cat, it’s a welcoming committee for their claws. The tightly woven, looped texture of tweed is a perfect hook for your cat’s claws to get into and begin to rip the fabric out one thread at a time. Trying to get cat hair off tweed is a nightmare as well.
• Chenille: While the rich texture of this fabric may look pretty, it’s actually created of small, nubby piles to give it that raised look and feel. And those small, nubby piles are perfect for cat claws to sink right into and rip out. Unfortunately with chenille, once those loops are ruined they can’t be repaired.
• Velvet: Simply stated – cats and velvet don’t mix. This material (pictured) is extremely delicate and is no match for the sharp kneeds and paws of cat claws. But if you’re a cat owner and absolutely love the royal look of velvet, all is not lost. Microfiber and microsuede provide similar look and feel options, with a more cat-claw-resistant fabric.

Materials your Cat Won't Scratch

Three sofa fabrics stand out for a scratch-resistant level of comfort: microfiber, faux suede, and synthetic polyester. Microfiber is made with smooth, tightly woven fibers, and serves as a fortress against claw incursions, deterring even the most determined scratchers. Similarly, faux suede offers a soft and smooth texture that invites your cat to snuggle for a snooze rather than starting a scratch session. Lastly, synthetic polyester is a resilient material that withstands the test of time and tenacious paws.

Step-by-Step Guide to Stop Your Cat From Scratching The Sofa

• Provide alternatives: Cats scratch to mark territory and sharpen their claws. The best option is to offer enticing alternatives like scratching posts - particularly those made made of materials cats love, such as sisal or cardboard. (More about this below.)
• Placement matters: Strategically place a scratching post near the sofa. If your cat loves to scratch a particular spot on the sofa, put the scratching post right there.
• Catnip attraction: Sprinkle a bit of catnip on the scratching post to make it more appealing. The allure of this feline favourite can redirect your cat’s attention away from the sofa quickly. An alternative is NipMist spray an all natural, concentrated blend of water and catnip oil that lasts much longer than standard "dry" catnip. Perfect for play time and makes an ideal cat training tool.
• Trim those claws: Regular nail trims can minimize the impact of scratching. Invest in cat-friendly nail clippers and make it a bonding experience.
• Protect with covers: Use furniture covers to shield the sofa temporarily. Cats might find these less satisfying to scratch.
• Positive reinforcement: Reward your cat when they use the scratching post. Positive reinforcement can strengthen the association between desired behaviour and rewards.

What About Other Furniture Your Cat May Scratch

While the sofa often bears the brunt of scratching escapades, your cat’s 'artistic impulses' might extend to other unsuspecting pieces of furniture. From the armchair in the corner, to the enticing wooden coffee table, or the drapes hanging by the window – no spot is entirely immune! Even the carpet and walls aren’t safe from a spontaneous scratching session.
 In order to safeguard your home’s decor, consider incorporating cat scratching posts strategically near any and all of these tempting targets. By doing so, you provide your cat with an alternative outlet for their natural instincts, sparing your furniture from the consequences of their claws. With the right cat scratching posts, both style and scratching habits can peacefully coexist.

Training Positive Scratching on a Scratch Post

Transform your cat’s destructive scratching tendencies into a positive experience. As stated earlier, the best option is to offer enticing alternatives like scratching posts, particularly those made made of materials your cat loves, such as sisal or cardboard. Consider the Omlet Switch Scratching Post (pictured above) which is wrapped in a feline favourite, sisal. It's extra tall for a full body 'mega-stretch' and was created with an innovative built-in light show that keeps your cat interactive and engaged for hours.

Switch Cat Scratching Post

Positive praise: One of the best ways to encourage scratching on a post is to shower your cat with praise and treats every time they use the post. Positive reinforcement creates a connection between desired behaviour and rewards and makes your cat want to come back again and again. Avoid negative reactions if your cat scratches elsewhere – instead, gently redirect them back to the scratching post and reward them when they comply.

Playful engagement: Make the scratch post a play zone. Hang cat toys or dangle enticing strings nearby to turn scratching into a playful activity that you and your cat can enjoy together.