Why do cats turn our pristine leather sofas into scratching posts?
We love our cats, but there’s nothing more frustrating than instilling good behaviour into them.
When it comes to cats scratching furniture many are even more frustrated when expensive deterrents simply don’t work.
I have some better methods for you. As a feline behaviourist and not a snake oil salesman I have confident these strategies will alleviate your frustration:
Why deterrents don’t work
Citrus sprays?
Vinegar?
Double-sided tape?
Nice ideas, but most cats simply ignore them and go scratch somewhere else you don’t want them to, leaving your furniture stinking or plastered in dirty tape.
Water spray bottles?
Did you know these only teach your cat to scratch when you’re not looking? Instead, they wait until you’ve left the room for the benefit of their privacy.
If you want a stress-free life (and a scratch-free sofa), focus on training and prevention instead.
Provide better alternatives to scratch
Your cat’s scratching habits are instinctive, which is why we can’t stop them scratching things. They scratch to stretch, mark territory, and keep their claws maintained.
Quick and effective solutions are:
- Cardboard scratchers – cheap, effective, and cats love them.
- Tall scratching posts – at least 1m high so they can stretch fully.
- Wall-mounted sisal panels – perfect for vertical scratching.
- Cat trees – doubles as a climbing space.
Make your sofa less appealing
If your cat is fixated on your couch, make it unattractive:
- Use protective covers – a thick wool blanket or bedspread works.
- Apply plastic protectors – Daiso sells clear adhesive shields that stop cats digging in.
- Position scratchers nearby – if the alternative is easier to scratch, they’ll use it.
Trim your cats claws!
Remember I said cats scratch your furniture to keep their claws trimmed? With that in mind it’s easy to understand why trimming their claws yourself (or your vet) will help keep the nasty habit in check.
Even if they still scratch, short claws can help prevent deep scratches.
If you start young, your cat won’t mind, making your life easier moving forwards.
If your cat resists, try soft nail caps like Soft Paws.
Redirect and reward
Positive reinforcement may not work as well with cats as it does with dogs, but cats are still trainable – I know, because I’ve done it numerous times.
If you catch your cat scratching your sofa, instead of shouting at them, gently pick them up and move them to a scratching post. When they use it, reward them.
Treats are the most common (and effective method of reinforcement), but chose healthy treats – air-dried cat food like Ziwi Peak is excellent for both training AND health (the link is to the Pet Food Review’s review which can change the health of your cat completely).
Play is another great reward for our cats who are often more bored than we realise. We play with our dogs, but neglect our cats because of an incorrect belief they’re independent. They’re not, and play works wonders.
Catnip can also work as an effective treat, and in terms of deterrents will get your cat stoned and completely forget about scratching antics.
Training takes consistency, but it pays off!
Repair damage
If the worst happens, leather can be fixed.
Leather repair specialists can restore deep scratches, or you can touch up minor ones with a DIY repair kit (although sometimes it doesn’t last).
Worst case scenario, join a Buy Nothing group and hope someone is kind enough to give you a whole new lounge suite!
The bottom line
Some cats never scratch leather; others see it as the ultimate scratching surface.
Prevention is key. Provide your cat with better options, make the couch unappealing, and keep their claws in check.
With patience and the right setup, your sofa (and your sanity) will remain intact.
Trust me. I’m a doctor.
(I’m actually not a doctor)
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