Stop Scratching Furniture
Scratching is hardwired cat behavior — they do it to maintain claw health, mark territory, and stretch. You'll never stop scratching entirely (nor should you!). The goal is to redirect scratching from your couch TO appropriate surfaces like scratching posts. Provide better alternatives, and they'll use them.
🎯 Training Approach
Provide Great Posts
Tall (at least stretched-out cat height), sturdy (doesn't wobble!), and the right material. Many cats love sisal rope; some prefer carpet or cardboard. Offer variety.
Location Matters
Place posts where they currently scratch. Cats scratch after sleeping and in territorial areas. Move posts gradually to preferred locations once they're using them.
Make Posts Attractive
Rub with catnip. Dangle toys from the top. Praise/treat when they use the post. Make it the obvious choice.
Make Furniture Unattractive
Temporarily cover furniture with double-sided tape (cats hate sticky paws), foil, or plastic. Commercial products like Sticky Paws work well.
💡 Key Training Tips
Provide tall, sturdy scratching posts
Place posts near where they currently scratch
Use catnip to attract them to the post
Cover furniture with double-sided tape temporarily
Never declaw - it's harmful and unnecessary
⚠️Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ❌Posts too short (can't stretch) or wobbly (feel unsafe)
- ❌Declawing (painful, causes behavior problems, ethically wrong)
- ❌Punishing scratching (damages relationship, doesn't work)
- ❌Not providing enough appropriate scratching surfaces
- ❌Posts in wrong locations
✅Signs of Progress
- ✓Your cat responds faster to cues
- ✓They offer the behavior without being asked
- ✓Less frustration for both of you
- ✓The behavior generalizes to new environments
Frequently Asked Questions
Is declawing an option?▼
My cat ignores the scratching post!▼
Should I try nail caps (Soft Paws)?▼
Can I spray my cat with water to stop scratching?▼
Need More Training Help?
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