Why Do Cats Scratch? How to Save Your Furniture
Cats scratch to keep their claws healthy, to stretch, and to mark territory with scent from glands between their paw pads, according to International Cat Care. The American Association of Feline Practitioners calls scratching natural, normal and necessary.
International Cat Care says you will not be able to stop it, and should not try. What you can do is give your cat somewhere better to scratch than the sofa, and this guide covers how, from veterinary and feline-welfare sources linked as we go.
Key takeaways
- Cats scratch to care for their claws, stretch, and leave a scent mark, according to International Cat Care.
- The AAFP says a cat may scratch furniture if its posts are not appealing to it or it is anxious, and that a vertical post must be sturdy and taller than your cat's full stretch.
- Put scratchers near where your cat sleeps and right in front of the spot it scratches now, as the AAFP suggests.
- Do not punish scratching: International Cat Care says a cat should never be punished, and the AAFP says punishment can increase a cat's anxiety.
Why cats scratch
International Cat Care gives several reasons. Scratching keeps claws healthy, loosening and removing the outer husk of each claw, and it exercises the muscles of the front legs and spine. It is also territorial marking: International Cat Care says glands between the paw pads produce a chemical message of pheromones and odors that is left on the surface as the claws scrape down it. Indoors, cats also scratch while exploring and playing, sometimes to get attention, and sometimes as a sign of confidence in their territory.
Kittens start scratching from around five weeks of age, International Cat Care says.
Why your cat picks the furniture
Compare your post with your sofa. International Cat Care says a post should be as tall as your cat standing on its hind legs, with a heavy base, and warns that some products are too lightweight to support scratching. The American Association of Feline Practitioners says a vertical scratcher must be sturdy and reach above your cat's stretched-out height. The AAFP adds that if posts are not desirable to the cat, or the cat is anxious or distressed, it may scratch furniture, and International Cat Care says that where attractive scratching posts or areas are not provided indoors, damage to furniture, wallpaper or carpet is likely.
Scratching can also be a sign of stress. International Cat Care says scratching that is widespread through the home, especially around doors and windows, is likely a sign that a cat feels insecure, and that disruptions such as building work can trigger it. In a 2024 questionnaire study in Frontiers in Veterinary Science of more than 1,200 cats in France, reported by their caregivers, high levels of play and nighttime activity, children in the home and cats described as aggressive or disruptive were linked with more unwanted scratching. The study was funded by Ceva Santé Animale, which makes pheromone products, and three of its authors worked for Ceva. The authors suggest stress may play a part, though the study did not measure it. That is an association from caregiver-reported questionnaire data, not proof of cause.
What makes a good scratcher
Height and stability come first, as above. Direction matters too: the AAFP says a horizontal scratcher may be a good alternative for a cat that scratches carpet, and International Cat Care notes that kittens and older cats may prefer large angled or flat cardboard scratchers. For material, the AAFP says many cats prefer sisal rope and others corrugated cardboard, carpet or wood, and International Cat Care suggests an alternative that feels like what your cat scratches now: for a cat scratching textured wallpaper, a vertical post with similar texture and ridges.
For flat options, see our cardboard cat scratchers; for tall, sturdy ones, our cat trees for large cats.
Where to put it
The AAFP notes that cats often stretch or scratch when they wake up, so place a scratcher near your cat's sleeping area; International Cat Care says the same. The AAFP also suggests putting a scratching post or pad right in front of the spot your cat is scratching now, such as the corner of the couch.
International Cat Care suggests one scratching post per cat plus one more for choice, placed in different spots.
Steering your cat off the sofa
Make the right place more appealing and the wrong one less so. The AAFP recommends drawing a cat to a scratcher with food, treats, catnip or play, and International Cat Care suggests rewarding use with treats or gentle praise. Never physically make your cat scratch a surface, International Cat Care says.
On the furniture, the AAFP says double-sided sticky tape, foil, plastic or furniture covers may reduce scratching, and International Cat Care suggests a thick, heavy blanket or one-sided sticky film. International Cat Care also mentions a synthetic copy of the pheromone cats produce from glands in their cheeks, used on scratched spots, and says research has shown that cats are less likely to scratch or spray urine where this pheromone is deposited. The authors of the Ceva-funded 2024 study recommend regular, brief interactive play sessions; see our interactive cat toys.
What not to do
Do not punish scratching. International Cat Care says a cat should never be punished: you would be punishing a natural behavior, which is very confusing for your cat, and for a cat scratching out of anxiety and insecurity, punishment adds to its distress and probably makes things worse. The AAFP says punishment in any form can increase a cat's anxiety, potentially increasing scratching and other marking.
Trimming can limit damage: the AAFP advises trimming a few nails at a time rather than all at once. But International Cat Care says trimming does not meet a cat's need to scratch, so offer alternatives rather than relying on it. It also notes that senior cats may need regular claw trims because they cannot scratch as easily or as often as they need, and that very overgrown or thickened claws can be a sign of conditions such as osteoarthritis or hyperthyroidism, so have them checked by your vet. The AAFP opposes elective declawing. If you suspect the scratching is driven by anxiety, International Cat Care suggests talking to your vet or asking for a referral to a feline behavior specialist.
FAQ
When do kittens start scratching?
From around five weeks of age, according to International Cat Care, which adds that kittens and senior cats may prefer scratching softer surfaces.
Why does my cat scratch the furniture and not the post?
The AAFP says a cat may scratch furniture if its posts are not desirable to it, or if it is anxious or distressed; see Why your cat picks the furniture for what makes a post appealing.
Does scratching sharpen a cat's claws?
In a sense. The AAFP says scratching renews the nail by dislodging the old nail growth and exposing a new, sharper nail underneath; International Cat Care describes the same process as removing the outer husk of each claw.
Does trimming my cat's claws stop scratching?
No. International Cat Care says trimming may help prevent immediate damage but does not meet a cat's need to scratch, so offer alternatives rather than relying on it. The AAFP suggests trimming a few nails at a time rather than all at once. International Cat Care says senior cats may need regular trims, and that very overgrown or thickened claws call for veterinary advice.
Should I punish my cat for scratching?
No. International Cat Care says a cat should never be punished: it is confusing for your cat, and for an anxious cat it adds to distress and probably makes things worse. The AAFP says punishment can increase a cat's anxiety, potentially increasing scratching.
Is scratching a sign of stress?
It can be. International Cat Care says widespread scratching, especially around doors and windows, is likely a sign of insecurity; if you suspect anxiety, talk to your vet.
Editor's note: Sources were read on October 14, 2026, and rechecked October 19–23, 2026. This guide is general information, not veterinary advice.
