HOW TO STOP CAT SCRATCHING FURNITURE

HOW TO STOP YOUR CAT SCRATCHING FURNITURE?

HOW TO STOP CAT SCRATCHING FURNITURE

Stop cat scratching on furniture

Tips to Stop Your Cat From Scratching The Furniture

1

Clean all marks made by your cat scratching

  • With warm water and soap
  • This removes the “territory messages” left by your cat's paws on the furniture
2

Stop cat scratching with FELIWAY Optimum

  • If your cat is already scratching furniture, use FELIWAY Optimum
  • It will send "happy messages" to provide reassurance and prevent your cat from scratching
3

Follow cat scratching post “golden rules”

  • Your post must be vertical, sturdy and tall enough: at least 90 cm
  • Place near your cat’s sleeping area or close to the areas of unwanted scratching
  • Have at least 1 post per cat
  • This resource is essential as all cats need to scratch!
Cat scratching sofa and how to stop it

We recommend:

FELIWAY Optimum

If scratching occurs in multiple areas, plug the Diffuser in the room where your cat spends most of his time

FELIWAY Classic Spray

If scratching occurs in one single area, use Classic Spray there once daily.

Reasons Cats Scratch?

Scratching is a natural need for all cats. When scratching, they mark their territory. This territory marking is both visible (the scratching lines) and invisible! Indeed, cats leave “territory messages” coming from their paws, that only other cats can perceive.

In case of discomfort, cats will scratch more, and this can become an issue if this happens on your walls, doors, sofa or furniture!

In many cases, scratching in your home is in fact your cat’s way of expressing discomfort. It is particularly true for kitten and newly adopted cats, who discover their new home.

Your cat scratching might be a sign of discomfort in particular if:

  • Your cat is scratching in many areas in the house (on furniture, sofa, chairs...).
  • Your cat is scratching near windows and doors
  • You have 2 or more cats 
  • Your cat has many “cat neighbours” (other cats living close to your home)
  • You had recent changes in your home (like new furniture or moving furniture around).

FELIWAY Optimum can provide and create a loving and reassuring atmosphere in your home that will help stop cat scratching. Never use FELIWAY CLASSIC Spray on the scratching post as it would prevent the cat from using it!

To learn more read our article on Why do cats scratch?

Things to Try at Home to Stop Your Cat Ruining Your Furniture

There are many anecdotal ways to stop cats scratching furniture. Some of these involve homeopathy or old wives tales.

Cats scratching is normal and essential for cats. It helps them tell other cats that it is their territory.

Also it is an indicator of a cats feelings, if your cat is feeling uncomfortable then they may scratch more and in more places.

What ever the reason for the scratching a cat needs to scratch especially when they first wake up in the morning. So placing a scratching post near their bed is ideal.

Other solutions to stop cat scratching include adding various ingredients (which cats do not like) to water and spraying on furniture. Just be careful that the ingredients you use do not damage your furniture.

The alternative the these home remedies is to use a scientifically proven product like the products in the FELIWAY range.

Read more in our article here: 7 ways to stop a kitten from biting and scratching.

How To Stop Your Cat From Scratching the Carpet

Excessive scratching can be due to stress. Cats like to scratch certain materials and your cat may like to scratch carpet, this is not uncommon.