How do I stop my cat from scratching my furniture? To stop a cat from scratching furniture, provide a sturdy, tall scratching post made of sisal or cardboard and place it directly next to the targeted furniture. Use positive reinforcement like treats and catnip to encourage use, while applying double-sided sticky tape or citrus sprays to the furniture to make it less appealing. Never punish your cat; instead, redirect their natural instinct to a better surface.
To a cat, scratching is a multi-purpose tool. Understanding the why helps you address the where.
Every cat has a "scratching style." Observe yours to see what they prefer:
One of the biggest mistakes owners make is hiding the scratching post in a back room. Cats scratch where they want to be seen and where they feel most social.
Is your dog barking at every leaf that falls? This guide breaks down the psychology of barking and provides step-by-step training techniques to restore peace to your household.
It’s one of the most common dog behaviors, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood. Does your dog really need to vomit, or are they just looking for a snack?
Is your dog's barking driving you (and the neighbors) crazy? Decode the pitch and rhythm of their barks to find the right solution for a quieter home.
While you are training your cat to use the post, you can make your furniture less appealing:
Regularly trimming your cat’s nails (every 2–3 weeks) significantly reduces the damage they can do. Use specialized cat clippers and only trim the clear tip of the nail, being careful to avoid the "quick" (the pink part containing blood vessels).
