Meta: Give cats the right place to scratch and protect your furniture.
Scratching is natural. Cats stretch, mark territory and look after their claws. The aim is to give them a better target than your sofa.
Toys and tools
- Tall sisal posts: for stretching.
- Cardboard scratchers: cheap, and many cats like them.
- Horizontal pads: for cats that prefer scratching flat.
- Wand toys: to redirect energy.
How to use them
- Place a scratcher right next to the area they scratch.
- Rub a little catnip on it, or play near it with a wand toy.
- When your cat uses it, praise them or give a treat.
- Cover the sofa spot with a throw, or use double-sided tape designed for pets, until the habit changes.
- Once your cat uses the new scratcher, you can move it slowly to a better spot.
Safety tips
- Make sure the post is stable. A wobbling post puts cats off.
- Never punish a cat for scratching. It rarely works.
- Don’t declaw. Ask your vet about nail trimming.