How to Stop Your Cat Scratching Furniture: 5 Practical Fixes

Scratching isn't bad behaviour — it's how cats mark territory, stretch, and keep their claws healthy. You can't train it away entirely, but you can redirect it somewhere that isn't your couch. Here's what actually works.

1. Give them a scratching post they'll actually use

Cats generally prefer tall, sturdy posts they can stretch fully up against, and materials like natural sisal rope over carpet. A wobbly or too-short post gets ignored in favour of furniture that doesn't move. Our Coconut Tree Scratching Post & Play Tower and Sisal Rope Scratching Post are both built around what cats naturally gravitate to.

2. Put it in the right spot — not tucked away

A scratching post shoved in a back room rarely gets used. Cats tend to scratch near where they sleep or spend time, and often right after waking up — so place the post somewhere central, ideally near their existing favourite (wrong) spot.

3. Make the furniture less appealing, temporarily

Double-sided tape, a throw blanket, or an aluminium foil sheet over the problem spot makes the texture unappealing without any harshness — cats dislike the feel and generally stop testing that spot.

4. Trim claws regularly

Shorter claws do less damage and make scratching feel less satisfying against upholstery specifically. A quiet rechargeable nail grinder makes this a lower-stress routine than clippers for most cats.

5. Reward the right behaviour

When you see your cat use the post, a treat or calm praise in the moment reinforces it far more effectively than any correction after the fact does for the furniture. Cats respond to positive reinforcement, not scolding — telling them off after the fact just teaches them to scratch when you're not watching.

What to avoid

Skip declawing and punishment-based deterrents — both cause more stress and don't address why the scratching started in the first place. Redirection and a scratching setup they actually like will get you further, and faster.

Give it two weeks

Cats need a little time to shift a habit. Keep the post in place, keep the furniture temporarily unappealing, and most cats fully transition within a couple of weeks. Browse our full range in Cat Essentials.