Understanding and Fixing Cat Scratching Behavior

Published: July 2, 2025

Author: Lúcia Fernandes, Certified Feline Behaviorist

Cat scratching is one of the most common (and misunderstood) habits. Odds are, if your cat is shredding your couch, rugs, or door frames, it seems like a behavioral problem. It's not. Scratching is a natural, instinctual feline behavior. The ASPCA and feline behaviorists agree that scratching serves five primary functions:

Sharpening nails and removing old layers
Stretching muscles and ligaments
Territorial scent-marking through scent glands in the paws
Visual communication (scratches warn other cats of presence)
Stress relief or emotional release

Black and white cat scratching a damaged brown leather stool — example of destructive scratching behavior before training.

Scientific Insight:

Cats have eccrine glands on their paws that release odor when they scratch. It is extremely helpful in territorial marking and anxiety relief. (Source: Landsberg et al., Behavior Problems of the Dog and Cat) In short: your cat isn't being "naughty" when it scratches, it is talking and maintaining its health.

Why They Scratch Your Furniture

Cats scratch most often where they:

Feel most relaxed/stimulated
Need to mark territory (by doors, favorite napping areas)
don't have access to acceptable alternatives

Typical household scratching spots:

Armrests of sofas
Rugs and doorways
Window sills or balcony railings
Table legs

If your cat keeps returning to the same off-limits spot, it's an indication that:

They prefer the texture/position
They are emotionally attached to that area
Their scratching requirements are not met elsewhere

Scratching is more likely to occur in households with multiple cats or where a cat feels stressed or bored. Cats with insufficient enrichment or stimulation may repeatedly scratch to expend energy or release frustration. In these cases, the solution is more than a single post — it's creating an entire environment that satisfies your cat's instincts.

Declawing is not a manicure, it's amputation. It causes permanent pain and behavioral issues. Choose humane alternatives like scratching posts and nail clipping.

Step-by-Step: How to Redirect Scratching

Stoppings a cat from scratching isn't punishment — it's giving them something better to scratch.

1. Choose the Best Scratching Post

Look for posts that are:
Tall (at least 30 inches) so your cat can stretch fully
Sturdy (wobbly = instant rejection)
Wrapped in sisal rope, coarse material, or cardboard
Vertical and horizontal options are feline favorites. Offer both if you can. Flat scratching pads work well for seniors or kittens that aren't quite ready for vertical climbing.

2. Where to Put Them

Place scratching posts:
Near the furniture they're already scratching
By windows, napping areas, or doors
Where it's happening (cats want to scratch where you hang out too!)
Don't stash the scratching post in a rear room. Incorporate it into your cat's normal path. You can even place one near their litter box — some cats prefer to scratch prior to or after a visit to the box.

3. Make Off-Limit Areas Less Attractive

Use:

Double-sided sticky tape (cats abhor the feel)
Plastic guards or slipcovers
Scent deterrents (citrus or motion-activated sprays)
Rearranging furniture temporarily
You may also cover injured areas with cardboard or furniture guards, especially in the course of retraining your cat to use a new post.

4. Positive Reinforcement

Reward your cat when he uses the post
Leave treats, catnip, or toys near the new post
Use clicker training to mark behavior
Don't yell or use spray bottles (they increase anxiety and don't train alternatives)
Cats learn best through positive reinforcement. The more they're positively reinforced with good experiences near their scratching post, the faster they'll drop bad habits.

5. Trim Your Cat's Nails on a Regular Basis

This won't stop scratching but reduces damage
Every 2–3 weeks, using clippers approved by the vet
Start them young so they associate trimming with treats and safety

Expert Tips for Stubborn Scratchers

Use horizontal scratch pads if your cat won't use vertical posts
Use sisal-covered ramps or cat trees with integrated posts
Rub silvervine or catnip on the new post to make it more attractive
Use pheromone diffusers (e.g., Feliway) to reduce territorial stress
If the cat still returns to furniture, try to block temporarily and reward new scratching areas. Environmental enrichment or additional vertical territory can be added if the behavior persists.
Cats scratch more when new animals have been introduced, when moving to a new residence, or when the environment is changed. These situations can be worked through with patience, routine, and reassurance.

What Science Suggests Regarding Scratching

A 2016 study published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery confirmed that stress, inadequate environmental enrichment, or unmet physical requirements are responsible for most damaging cases of scratching. Cats in enriched environments, with varied surfaces and secure outlets, scratched furniture significantly less.

Source: Ellis, S.L.H., Rodan, I., et al. (2013). AAFP and ISFM guidelines on feline environmental needs.

This confirms what I see daily in consultations: when we meet a cat's physical and emotional requirements, unwanted behavior just fades away.

Scratching is more than just a body motion, it's controlling one's emotions. It gives your cat a sense of dominion over their surroundings and some way to blow off steam. Think of scratching as a yoga for your cat, a stretch from head to paw, emotional discharge, and self-expression all wrapped up.

Choosing the Perfect Products

Sisal Rope Posts: Cat's favorite natural scratch material
Corrugated Cardboard Pads: Ideal horizontal solution
Wall-Mounted Scratchers: Space-saving and climber-friendly
Multi-Level Cat Trees: Posts integrated + climbing stimulation
Corner Guards with Scratch Surfaces: Ideal for tight spaces

When choosing a product, have in mind your cat's interests. Some like to scratch when standing. Some prefer scratching horizontally while lying down. No one-size-fits-all answer, except that the post must be stable, tall, and have texture.

Recommended brands: SmartCat, Frisco, PetFusion, 4Claws, Vesper.

Last Word

Scratching is not the problem. It's a message. When we provide the right outlets and respect our cat's inborn nature, scratching is a healthy, even pleasant, part of their existence.

The goal isn’t to eliminate scratching, it’s to redirect it. Give your cat what they’re asking for: space, texture, height, and routine.

If you’re struggling to redirect scratching in your home, don’t worry: you’re not alone, and it’s solvable.

Contact me for personalized support or download my free guide: 7 Easy Ways to Solve Cat Behavior Issues.