How to Stop Cats from Scratching Furniture: A Vet’s 2025 Guide to Protect Your Home & Feline Needs 🐾🛋️

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc, Ask A Vet Blog

Scratching is a natural and essential behavior for cats—they stretch, shed claw sheaths, mark territory, and relieve stress. Unfortunately, this instinct often targets our cherished furniture. In 2025, we now have a comprehensive, empathetic approach to redirect scratching into healthy outlets while preserving your home. This guide explains why cats scratch, how to prevent damage, and how you can support your cat’s instincts effectively.

1. 🐾 Understanding Why Cats Scratch

Cats scratch to:

• Sharpen and shed dead claw layers
• Stretch muscles and joints
• Deposit scent from paw glands—marking territory
• Relieve emotional arousal or boredom :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Rather than trying to remove scratching, our goal is to redirect it toward appropriate outlets.

2. 🧱 Provide the Right Scratching Surfaces

Choose posts and pads that suit your cat’s style:

• Vertical sisal-wrapped posts: Ideal if your cat stretches upright or scratches couch arms :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
• Horizontal cardboard or mat scratchers: Perfect for cats who scratch carpets or floors :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
• Hybrid scratchers/cat trees: Provide both orientation options with sturdy structures :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.

Place these near favorite furniture targets and beds to intercept scratching habits :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}. Look for tall, stable posts that allow full body stretching :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.

3. 🎯 Make the Furniture Less Attractive

• Cover problem areas with tightly tucked sheets, aluminum foil, or plastic.
• Apply double-sided sticky tape: cats hate the feel :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.
• Spray citrus, apple cider vinegar, or Feliway Classic on furniture :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.
• Clean with enzyme cleaners to remove scent markers :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.

These methods are temporary; the main goal is to shift behavior without punishing your cat.

4. 🛠️ Reinforce Positive Behavior

• Reward and praise each time your cat uses the scratcher—build positive association :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.
• Use catnip or silvervine on scratchers to increase appeal :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.
• Dangle toys or engage in play near or on the scratcher :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.
• Train with clicker and treat rewards for intentional scratching on correct surfaces :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}.

5. ✂️ Support with Nail Maintenance

• Trim nails every 2–4 weeks to reduce damage :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}.
• Use vinyl nail caps (e.g., Soft Paws) as a temporary barrier :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}.

6. 🌿 Use Deterrents & Pheromones

• Feliway Classic spray: Blocks scratching via synthetic facial pheromone :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}.
• Comfort Zone spray: Calms dominant or anxious cats :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}.
• Stop-scratch sprays (e.g., Sentry): Combine deterrent scents with noise :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}.

7. 🧘 Reduce Stress & Boredom

• Offer environmental enrichment: toys, perches, vertical spaces.
• Play daily to expend energy—reduces motivation to scratch destructively :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}.
• Train with clicker or provide treat puzzles to engage mentally :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}.

8. 🚫 Avoid Declawing or Punishment

Declawing (onychectomy) is considered unethical and harmful—linked with pain, behavior changes, and mobility issues :contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}. Instead, apply positive redirection and supportive alternatives.

9. ✅ 2025 Furniture-Proof Checklist

• ✔ Multiple scratchers matching style & location
• ✔ Furniture deterrents in key areas
• ✔ Nail trims and/or nail caps used
• ✔ Pheromone spray applied where needed
• ✔ Training & positive reinforcement in place
• ✔ Calm, enriching environment maintained
• ✔ No punishment or declawing practiced

10. 🛠️ Ask A Vet, Woopf & Purrz Support

• Ask A Vet App: Send videos of your cat scratching for tailored redirection and product recommendations.
• Woopf: Offers multi-style scratching posts, interactive pads, and furniture-friendly protectors.
• Purrz: Provides pheromone diffusers, calming sprays, and scent mats to ease stress and reduce destructive behavior.

❤️ Final Thoughts from Dr Houston

Scratching is instinctual—not naughty. The key in 2025 is to redirect this behavior with empathy: offer satisfying alternatives, discourage unwanted spots, and reinforce positive habits. Your cat’s claws—and your furniture—will both thank you. For personalised support and product choices, download the Ask A Vet app, check out Woopf’s durable scratch solutions, and enhance calm with Purrz’s scent-based tools. 🐱💖