Cats love scratching and it’s a natural behaviour for them. But no one wants shredded sofas, ripped curtains or wrecked carpets!
We’ve put together this handy guide on how to stop your cat from scratching your home and belongings.
Why do cats scratch?
Cats scratch for lots of different reasons – here are just some of them.
Marking their territory
Cats also have scent glands between the pads of their feet which give off a ‘signature’ smell, which is known as a pheromone.
One reason they scratch is to spread this scent and mark out their areas of territory to other cats.
Sharpening their claws
A cat’s claws need to stay sharp to help them hunt. Before they became pets, wild cats had to catch prey to survive. And pet cats have kept the instinct to sharpen their claws.
Scratching lets them remove the loose husk of the claw to reveal a new sharp claw underneath.
Stretching their muscles and tendons
They also benefit from a good stretch and workout, which keeps them in good shape for hunting.
Emotional triggers for cat scratching
There are also some emotional triggers that could cause a cat to scratch, including if they’re:
- bored or tired
- looking for attention
- stressed or scared
- excited
- secure or relaxed
How can I stop my cat scratching?
You shouldn’t stop your cats from scratching. It’s important they can practise their normal feline behaviours. But that doesn’t mean they have to destroy your home!
Here are some scratching solutions you could try.
Trim their nails
Cats scratch sometimes to sharpen or shorten their nails.
You can choose to trim your cat’s nails yourself but only do it if they’re too long and are uncomfortable.
You also need to be very careful not to cut too close to their paw, as it can be painful for them.
This won’t stop them scratching completely – but it can help!
Reduce their stress
Cats can get stressed quite easily – even from small things that us humans might not notice. That can mean they scratch stuff in your home as a coping mechanism.
Think about what could be making your cat anxious. Have you recently brought a new pet into the home? Have you moved house, or have there been any changes in their environment?
Even small things, like moving the sofa or changing your laundry detergent, could make a difference.
Or it could even be an illness you’re not aware of. Sick cats will often try to hide any signs they’re ill thanks to their survival instinct – so changes in their scratching behaviour could be an indirect sign of a health issue.
If you’re worried, chat to your vet about it.
Use odour neutralisers
Cats love scratching areas they’ve scratched before, because they can smell themselves on it.
If there’s a spot you don’t want them to revisit, use an odour neutraliser spray or enzymatic cleaner to clean the area. That will hopefully mean they're less likely to come back!
Stimulating environment
Cats can scratch when they’re bored, or their needs aren’t being met. Make sure you’re giving them lots of stimulation, so they scratch less.
That could include different toys and puzzles, giving them places up high to explore, and playing with them regularly.
Give them an alternative scratching option
Rather than trying to stop the scratching completely, try focussing their attention somewhere else. There are lots of scratching posts and surfaces available to buy.
If you have more than one cat, you’ll need a separate scratching post for each one – plus one extra ideally. Cats can become stressed when they’re forced to share stuff with other cats.
Put them in different spots around the house to avoid any conflict and offer them a little variety.
Reward good behaviour
If they scratch where you want them to, like on their scratching post, reward them!
Give them a treat or a fuss so they know they’re doing the right thing.
Avoid punishment
Don’t yell or punish them for scratching somewhere you don’t want to, like your sofa.
If you do, you'll only teach them that they get punished when you’re around – and it’ll just mean they continue to scratch where you’re not there.
It could also make them stressed and scratch even more because they’re anxious.
How to stop cats scratching walls, doors and wallpaper
Here are a few things you could do to keep your cats away from walls, doors and wallpaper.
Use a citrus spray
You can try using a citrus spray on the walls to put them off scratching them.
You can either buy a ready-made one or make one at home yourself with boiled citrus peels.
Either way, you’ll need to spray it often. This might not work for all cats, but it’s worth a shot!
Fit sheets of transparent plastic over your wallpaper
You only need to do this up to the height your cat can reach.
The smoothness of it should stop them from scratching and you’ll still be able to see your wallpaper through it.
How to stop your cat from scratching your sofa and furniture
If it’s your sofa or furniture you’re worried about, here are a few top tips.
Apply deterrent sprays to furniture
First of all, you’ll need to use an enzymatic cleaner to really get rid of the smell from before.
Then use your deterrent spray, which should hopefully put them off from scratching these areas.
Heads up, you’ll need to spray them regularly.
Wrap double-sided tape around scratching hot spots
It’ll make it unpleasant to scratch but not harmful.
Make sure the tape you use is low tack, so it doesn’t damage your furniture or your cat’s paws.
Use upholstery protectors
There are plenty of different types of upholstery protectors you can buy online or in stores.
They come in different textures and colours, so you can try make them blend in with your sofa or other furniture.
It just means if your cat does scratch, they’ll scratch the protector – not your actual sofa!
Clean the furniture
Like we said, cats love to come back to spots that have their scent or hair on it.
Give your furniture a good clean with a pet-friendly enzymatic cleaner and then show them a spot they can scratch.
Introducing a scratching post
At first, you’ll need to help your cat understand what to do with the scratching post.
If you put it somewhere that’s convenient for you, but not for your cat, they’ll probably ignore it.
Cats are naturally curious, but they’ll need to discover the post on their terms.
Put the scratching post in a place where your cat spends most of their time. For example, put it close to their bed or favourite sleeping spot – cats generally like to scratch when they wake up.
It’s also a good idea to make sure it’s visible and in a spot where you and your family spend a lot of time too.
Buying a post with catnip might make it more attractive and encourage your cat to use it. Catnip is a herb which is a mood enhancer for cats.
You could also dangle a fishing rod toy around the base for them to pounce on. Once they play with one, they’ll get the idea.
Why you shouldn’t declaw
Declawing is when the last bone of each toe on a cat is amputated.
It’s been illegal in the UK since 2006, as it’s inhumane and can cause lots of serious health issues for your cat.
Is my cat scratching because of anxiety?
If your cat’s ears are flat against their head or their tail is tucked in, these might be signs that they’re anxious. Read our guide on cat body language to be able to spot the signs.
If you think your cat is anxious, there’s a few things you can do to help.
You could:
- chat with your vet about changing their diet
- give them the right stimulation and exercise
- give them more space
Finally, remember to never shout at or punish your cat for scratching somewhere you don’t want them to.
They can’t help their instincts, and shouting isn't actually going to change their behaviour – it’ll just make them stressed.
Give them enough places where they’re allowed to scratch, and make sure they've got all the stimulation and care they need!
