Top 10 Tips to Stop Your Cat Scratching the Furniture

In this article, I share with you a variety of effective and cat-friendly techniques that you can use to keep your cat from scratching the furniture, carpet, curtains and whatever else they may be getting their claws into. 

It is really important to understand that scratching is a natural behaviour and you will never be able to completely stop your cat from scratching. It allows your cat to maintain their claws and mark their territory via the scent glands on their paws as well as the visual scratch marks. Also, many cats simply enjoy it, whether it is part of their morning stretch routine or they are expressing excitement. A good scratch can also help with a bit of stress relief. 

Cats need to be discouraged from scratching what they are not meant to while at the same time encouraged to use their scratching post. Therefore, I highly recommend that you read how to get your cat to use their scratching post in conjunction with this article. Eventually, they should be consistently using their scratching post and you won't need to use any of these cat scratching prevention techniques. 

Naughty cat...! Caught in the act!

1. Restricting Access

To save the furniture you love it may be best to restrict access to certain areas of the house or to only allow supervised access while your cat is still learning to use their scratching post. Perhaps it may be worth putting the rug or the chest of drawers they have realised feels good to rub their claws across into temporary storage until you are confident they have learnt to use their designated scratching areas. 

2. Double-Sided Sticky Tape

As most cats do not like having sticky paws you can cover any areas you don't want to be scratched with transparent double-sided sticky tape. It is fairly inconspicuous and therefore shouldn't be too noticeable. They may attempt to have a little scratch but once they realise their paws have become inconveniently hindered and the place that they once scratched is now attempting to stick to them, they will most like do the sticky walk of shame and go elsewhere. You can either buy an item such as Scotch Double Sided Sticky Tape or a purpose-made product such as Sticky Paws. 

You can also try using aluminium foil, parchment paper or masking tape to cover any areas you do not want to be scratched, get creative! Keep problem areas protected until your cat is consistently using their scratching post.

Sticky Paws
They are easy to apply and remove, and provide a discrete way to protect furniture

For more information on how Sticky Paws works please watch the video below:

3. Cat Scratch Sofa Guards

Cat Scratch Sofa Guards are sheets made from clear vinyl that conform to the contours of any couch. They provide an unobtrusive and permanent solution. Unlike sticky tape, they will not collect hairs and will not need to be frequently replaced. The look on their face will be priceless when they realise their plan to scratch your expensive sofa is thwarted and will soon be bored of trying to do so.  

Cat Scratch Guards
 They are transparent, inconspicuous, and easy to install. They will also not damage your sofa if they ever need to be removed

4. A Large Throw

Why not simply buy a large, inexpensive blanket, such as the Luxury Fleece Blanket by Bedsure that is both low-cost and high-quality, to drape over and protect your furniture until you have effectively trained your kitty to use their scratching post. It will also serve as a beautiful and cosy piece of decor.  

Luxury Fleece Blanket 
This may be the softest blanket in the world, and is a clever and luxurious way to protect your favourite chair, making it more inviting to you & less so to sharp claws

5. Cat Deterrent Spray

Some people find that cat deterrent sprays do not work, it may simply be that they are not effective on some cats or it may be because they are not being sprayed frequently enough. To be effective sprays need to be applied every 24 hours until the scratching habit has been broken. Cat Deterrent Spray can be applied to furniture or a carpet. 

Cat Deterrent Spray 
Remember to use it every 24 hours or it may stop working

6. Pet Odor Eliminator

Since one of the reasons that cats scratch is to mark their territory you must remove their scent from the furniture, so that they won't be tempted to 'top-up' when it starts to fade. Citrus Magic Pet Odor Eliminator is my favourite product to use. It scores extra bonus points because of the citrus smell it leaves behind, which most cats hate. Use a good odour eliminator on all the surfaces that your cat currently scratches.

Citrus Magic
Eliminates odours from where cats have been scratching and repels them with its citrusy smell that they find off-putting

7. Trim Their Claws

Regularly trimming your cat's claws may help to slow down the damage caused to your furniture and carpets. Make sure you buy high-quality and easy-to-use nail clippers, such as the Pet Nail Clippers by Shiny Pet. Cats' claws are round and therefore these clippers with their curved edges are much more comfortable to use as they apply pressure evenly around the nail. 

Shiny Pet Nail Clippers
Keep their nails blunt with these eco-friendly, ergonomic and 100% guaranteed nail clippers 

If you want to learn how to have your kitty purring while you trim their nails then I highly recommend that you watch the beautiful and amazing video below:

8. Soft Claws

This solution is often the last resort. Soft Claws are nail caps that cover your cat's claws so that they can't scratch your furniture. They come in a variety of colours and, yes, they make your cat look like they are wearing nail polish! They are easy to apply and last for 4-6 weeks. 

Soft Claws
 Easy to apply and cats usually become quickly desensitised to them. If all other methods have failed try this option

9. Declawing

Please do NOT declaw your cat. The last joint in each toe is severed. How would you feel if someone literally chopped off the ends of your fingers so that your nails were completely removed? It is a painful procedure that can result in a variety of complications, such as continual bleeding or ongoing pain. Some animal behaviourists report that it can also lead to behavioural problems, such as aggression and anxiety. Cats need their claws for climbing, defence, balancing and grasping, so please leave them be.

Declawing - Wikipedia Commons

10. Avoid Punishment

Shouting, loud noises, spraying water and motion sensors are all forms of punishment, which can be confusing for a cat that is simply carrying out a normal behaviour. Punishing a cat can also create anxiety and damage your bond with them. They may also just learn to just scratch when you are not there, and so the problem has not been solved. 

Rather than punishment, I would recommend using positive reinforcement and clicker training techniques to stop your cat from scratching the furniture. More can be learnt about these methods in Marilyn Krieger's book Naughty No More. Clicker training is a fun way to teach your cat to not scratch the furniture while spending some bonding time together.

Naughty No More
A step-by-step guide on how to use positive reinforcement to train your cat, with a chapter on scratching behaviour

BONUS TIP! You can't completely stop your cat scratching so you need to provide them with the purrfect scratching post and it must also be purrfectly placed. Please read my tips on how to get your cat to use their scratching post for more information. Once they are consistently using their scratching post it should (hopefully) not be necessary to continue using the above techniques to protect your furniture.