Why Do Cats Scratch Furniture? A Common Dilemma for Many Cat Owners
Many cat owners have likely faced this frustrating issue: despite having a variety of cat scratchers scattered around the house, their cats still frequently scratch sofas, walls, and other furniture, leaving the home damaged and worn out. Why does this happen?
The Natural Instinct Behind Scratching
Scratching is an instinctive behavior for cats. It serves several essential purposes:
- Claw Maintenance: Cats scratch to shed the outer layers of their claws, keeping them sharp and healthy.
- Territory Marking: Scratching leaves visual marks and deposits scent from glands in their paws, signaling their presence to other cats.
- Stretching and Exercise: The action helps cats stretch their muscles and relieve tension.
- Emotional Outlet: Scratching can help cats reduce anxiety, excitement, or boredom.
Why Do Cats Prefer Furniture Over Scratchers?
Cats often favor furniture because many upholstered pieces or walls provide the vertical and sturdy surfaces they prefer for scratching, much like trees in the wild. Sofas and walls might also smell familiar, reinforcing this choice. Sometimes, the provided scratchers may not meet their preferences in terms of texture, height, or location.
How to Redirect Your Cat's Scratching
Instead of trying to stop scratching entirely—a behavior cats need to perform—cat owners should focus on guiding it to appropriate outlets. Here are key strategies:
- Provide Multiple Scratchers: Offer scratching posts and pads with varying textures like sisal, cardboard, wood, and carpet to discover your cat's preference.
- Choose Proper Locations: Place scratching posts near furniture your cat targets or in areas where they like to stretch and scratch, such as near sleeping spots or entryways.
- Ensure Stability and Size: Scratchers should be tall or long enough for full-body stretching and sturdy enough not to wobble during use.
- Encourage Use: Reward your cat with treats or affection when they use the appropriate scratchers and ignore undesirable scratching.
- Reduce Access to Furniture: Temporarily cover or restrict access to favorite scratched areas to discourage damage.
Understanding and Patience Are Key
It's important to remember cats do not associate scratching furniture with "right" or "wrong". They simply respond to what feels best for meeting their scratching needs. By observing your cat's behavior, providing appealing alternatives, and reinforcing positive habits, you can protect your home while supporting your cat's natural instincts.
Why Do Cats Scratch Furniture Instead of the Scratching Board?
Japanese pet columnist SHIHO offers an in-depth analysis of the five main reasons why cats scratch furniture, along with several simple and effective solutions. If you're also troubled by your cat scratching the furniture, keep reading!
1. Why Cats Are Picky About Scratching Posts
Cats are famously particular creatures, and this selectiveness extends even to their scratching posts. Not all scratching posts are created equal in the eyes of a cat; factors such as material, angle, size, shape, and stability can all influence whether a cat will use a post or reject it outright.
For example, the cats at SHIHO's home have a strong preference for old scratching posts that are already worn and tattered from heavy use. They show little interest in brand-new scratching posts, no matter how appealing they might appear to humans.
This finicky behavior makes sense when considering what cats need from a scratching post. Scratching serves multiple key functions for cats: maintaining their nails by shedding the outer claw sheath, marking their territory with scent glands in their paws, stretching their muscles, and even self-soothing. Thus, the ideal scratching post must cater to these instincts and preferences.
Important characteristics of a favored scratching post include:
- Material: Durable textures like sisal are highly preferred because they offer just the right resistance for a satisfying scratch without snagging claws.
- Stability: A post that wobbles or tips is often avoided by cats. A wide, heavy base ensures confidence and safety during vigorous scratching.
- Size and shape: Tall posts that allow a cat to fully stretch their body from paws to shoulders are favored, supporting their natural stretching behavior.
- Angle: Some cats prefer vertical posts, others horizontal scratchers; the preference depends on their individual scratching habits.
Ultimately, knowing your cat's preferences and observing their scratching habits will help you offer a post they truly love. Providing worn-in or well-used posts can sometimes be more effective than brand-new ones, as cats associate these with familiar scent markers and comfort.
2. Territorial Marking: Why Cats Scratch
When cats scratch, it's not just to sharpen their claws. Scratching also serves as a way for them to mark their territory. If there are new pieces of furniture in the home or other pets are introduced, cats will become more active in scratching various spots around the house to assert, "This is my domain!"
3. Understanding Your Cat's Morning Stretching Habits
Sometimes, when cats scratch the furniture, it's not out of mischief but simply because they just woke up and want to stretch their bodies. Scratching can actually be considered a form of warm-up exercise for them. If a bed or sofa happens to be nearby at that moment, it's only natural for it to become their target right away.
4. How Cats Relieve Stress Through Scratching
Scratching is not only a way for cats to sharpen their claws, but sometimes it serves as an outlet for releasing built-up emotions. When a cat has just been scolded, bullied by another cat, or felt embarrassed after a failed jump, these experiences can cause stress or frustration.
To cope with these feelings, cats often scratch objects around them. This behavior helps them vent their emotions and relieve pressure, providing a calming effect after stressful situations.
5. How Cats Cleverly Seek Attention
One of the most amusing and perplexing things about cats is how smart they are when it comes to getting your attention. Some cats have figured out that scratching furniture immediately makes their owners rush over. Interestingly, even if you come over to scold them, the cat still finds it better than being ignored.
Because of this, they will intentionally use this tactic to attract your attention. It's a subtle reminder of how clever and strategic our feline friends can be when they want something from us.
How to Stop Cats from Scratching
The first thing to understand is that it's impossible to completely stop cats from scratching, as it is part of their natural instincts. Therefore, the correct approach is to redirect them to scratch in appropriate places.
Here are a few methods you can try:
- Apply protective tape to areas that are frequently scratched.
- Spray scents that cats dislike around those places.
- Provide several different scratching posts or pads for your cat.
Additionally, SHIHO especially recommends using stick-on scratching pads, which can be directly attached to furniture or walls. When they get worn out, simply replace them with new ones—this method is very convenient.
Understanding Why Cats Scratch
Contrary to popular belief, cats don't scratch things to be naughty. Rather, they have natural needs and reasons for scratching. When you understand why your cat is scratching around the house, you can help them find more appropriate places to satisfy this instinct. This not only keeps your feline friend happy but also protects your furniture and walls.
