How do I stop my cat from scratching my furniture?

Scratching is normal cat behaviour, serving to groom the front claws and leave scent marks so other cats know they are in another’s territory.

Proper training to scratch on appropriate surfaces, combined with nail care, can prevent cats from scratching in undesirable areas and causing damage in the home. So providing an attractive alternative scratching area (such as a scratching post) is the key to redirecting scratching away from undesirable areas.

Some tips for picking the perfect scratching post!

Many cats prefer vertical scratching posts, though some may prefer horizontal ones
Vertical scratching posts must be sturdy and preferably tall enough for the cat to have a good stretch
Scratching materials preferred by most cats include wood, sisal rope and rough fabric
Locate scratching posts near areas favoured by cats, such as windows or sleeping areas since cats often stretch and scratch when waking up from a nap
Feliscratch by Feliway is a product available to help making the scratching post more attractive to cats

Here is an example of a vertical scratcher. It has multiple levels and allows cats to have a good stretch. As you can easily see in this picture, this scratcher is very well-loved by Dr. Renee’s two cats!

This is an example of a horizontal scratcher. Of course, there are bigger options than what is depicted here, but offering a combination of vertical and horizontal scratchers will give your cats a variety to choose from.

Start training your new kitten or cat to use scratching posts when first introduced to your home.

Cats return to favourite or chosen scratching sites, so motivate them to use the scratching post you select and avoid letting them use the furniture. This can be done by enticing your cat to the post when they wake up from a nap, applying Feliscratch to the post, rubbing catnip on the post, and holding treats or toys partway up the post to encourage stretching and scratching. You can also secure an appealing toy, such as feathers at the top of the post! Rewards can be given at each step- as the cat approaches the post, touches it, and finally scratches it. Positive reinforcement is important!

If your cat already scratches in an undesirable area, talk to one of our friendly veterinarians or nurses. They will help determine your cat’s likely preferences- for a vertical or horizontal scratching post, for the type o material that will draw the cat to the post and for the location of the post. You can then make or purchase posts of similar fabrics.

Place double sided sticky tape on inappropriate areas and reward use of the post. This helps direct the cat to the post. If necessary, the cat can be confined to an area where the scratching post is the only available scratching outlet. This establishes use of the scratching post and prevents inadvertent reinforcement for scratching off-limits household items.

Trim the tips of their nails every one to two weeks. If done correctly, this procedure is well accepted by most cats. Our vet nurses are happy to show you how to do this safely. Introduce nail trimming as part of routine handling to kittens. Plastic nail caps applied every 4-6 weeks are an option for cats that are easy to handle. After trimming nail tips, fill the cap about a third of the way with adhesive and fit the cap over the nail. The soft plastic covers prevent furtnure damage when the cat scratches. Please advise us if you would like us to order these in for you. Declawing of cats is illegal in Australia and is highly unethical.

Feliscratch by Feliway

Cats are naturally territorial and when they scratch, they leave both visual messages (the scratch marks) and invisible messages (pheromones from their paws). Feliscratch mimics these territory messages both by the blue colour when applied in lines on the scratching post, and by its components (pheromone analogue and catnip). This will encourage cats to use the post rather than other inappropriate locations for scratching.

Feliscratch is a blue liquid that comes in 9 pipettes per box. One pipette is applied by making 2 to 3 lines along the post and then allowed to dry for 5 minutes. For the first week, this is repeated daily, thereafter applied again at the beginning of the 3rd and 4th week. Whilst applying the contents of the pipette, please lay the post in a horizontal position over a sink or newspaper to prevent spillage onto surfaces below. Wait 5 minutes before placing the post in an upright position again.

Improvements can be seen after 1 week, however it is recommended to complete the full 4 week treatment.

If you have more than one cat at home, it is best to provide one scratching post per cat, and to treat each post with Feliscratch.