Inside: 5 Ways to Stop Cats from Scratching Furniture Without Punishment. Collaborative post.
Instinct is something deeply rooted in every living creature, with cats being no exception. And just like how it’s instinctual for dogs to bark at strangers and dig burrows, many cats find it natural to sharpen their claws and mark their territory by scratching wooden furniture.
While it would be easy to tell your cat to stop their behaviour, this is much easier said than done.
Cats don’t understand language and emotions in the same way humans intuitively do. On top of that, punishments like scolding or spraying them can lead to them being fearful instead of disciplined, which is something that you wouldn’t want your cat to feel in the long term.
Regardless, leaving them to scratch your furniture incessantly isn’t the way to go about things either. If you want to curb their behaviour, then you’ll need to follow the right approach to eliminate this bothersome behaviour successfully.
Let’s take a look at five of the most effective approaches you can consider to keep your pet cat from scratching random pieces of furniture around the house.
- Provide Appealing Scratching Alternatives
The most effective way to get your cat to stop scratching furniture is not to eliminate the behaviour outright, but to redirect their habits into a more suitable item.
A cat scratcher is a pole that can help satiate their desire to scratch every now and then. While you can construct your own with some free-standing planks and poles, high-quality cat scratching posts from Somerzby and other retailers are typically readily available.
Not only will your cat be happy with their very own scratching pad, but you can also rest easy knowing that your cat will channel their instinctual behaviour onto an item that can actually withstand the pressure.
That said, you should be strategic in choosing the right scratching pole for your cat. Get one with a rough and wooden texture—posts made from sisal and wood are generally deemed great bases for most cats.
Furthermore, ensure that the cat pole can fit in the location where you’re planning to place it, both vertically and horizontally. It should ideally be near the cat’s usual lounging area so that they can immediately see it upon waking or returning to their spot.
By taking these steps to choose the right cat scratching pole, you’ll be able to naturally redirect their behaviour onto that item instead of furniture around the house. This will keep your home tidy and scratch-free in the long run.
- Surround Your Furniture With Deterrents
Another way to get your cat to avoid your expensive furniture is by putting deterrents around the furniture base or legs.
Cats generally avoid things that are sticky or uneven, so placing double-sided tape or aluminium foil to act as anti-scratch zones can be an effective way of keeping them away from your precious furniture.
On top of that, you can also consider spraying or sprinkling some smelly items that cats tend to detest. Herbs like lavender or citrus are great natural repellents for your cats, and they also act as great scent sprays to have around the living room or bedroom.
By combining these deterrents with a cat scratching pad, you can naturally deflect your cat’s interest away from your furniture and into the designated scratching area. This can make them naturally reach the conclusion that the scratching post is the ideal place to do their business. All without having to give any punishments!
- Trim Their Claws on the Regular
Another way to get your cat to stop scratching furniture is to trim or file their claws. While this step doesn’t naturally stop their behaviour, it helps prevent long-lasting damage to your furniture. This is because short claws leave less of a mark on a variety of surfaces.
If your cat isn’t used to being handled with a filer or nail clipper, then start gently and slowly. Trim the sharp tips, but don’t go too close to the pink area. If your cat is anxious, trim one claw at a time and reward them with a treat after a successful attempt.
Maintain this routine every two to three weeks. Over time, your cat will become used to the routine. Your home will also be better off because of this habit since the cat will be less prone to leaving visible scratches around the house.
- Reward Good Behaviour
Another way to get your cat to stop scratching furniture is by rewarding them whenever they do something that you want them to do. One example of this is when they scratch the scratch pole that you bought for them instead of the furniture.
Reinforcing good behaviour is a powerful and scientifically proven way to let your cat choose good habits over bad ones. It essentially communicates to them what behaviour you deem acceptable and what they can be rewarded with. Then, they’ll keep on picking the option that rewards them.
Whenever your cat chooses to scratch the post, immediately reward them with a treat, gentle praise, or a short play session.
Time it immediately after the act, and give a verbal cue of praise for them to understand that this behaviour is the case of this reward (i.g, “Yes!”). In doing this, your cat will associate scratching the post with a positive outcome. In turn, they’ll keep on scratching the post instead of your furniture.
- Keep Their Environment Engaging
Cats don’t always scratch based on instinct.
Sometimes, their scratching could be an emotional response to their environment or internal state. For instance, they could feel understimulated and are simply looking for ways to keep themselves engaged—and scratching furniture is a viable outlet for them to satisfy their needs.
Of course, as a homeowner, we wouldn’t want our cats destroying our furniture. And if the scratching post doesn’t work, it may seem like all hope is lost. But that’s not exactly the case.
The good news is that you can redirect your cat to engage with their surroundings by simply making the environment a bit more engaging for them. Place a rotation of toys and unique textures around their play area—think things like feather wands, balls, and puzzle toys.
You should also consider playing around with verticality. Allow your cat to perch on high ground like a windowsill or a cat tree. This helps satisfy another hunting instinct of theirs in a safe and controlled manner.
When the environment is enriching, your cat will be less likely to act out and direct their pent-up energy to your furniture. This will make for both a happy pet and a happy home.
We hope these tips can serve you well in your journey to training your cat to behave themselves. All the best!