Train Your Cat to Stop Scratching Furniture: 7 Clever Ways

How to Train Your Cat to Stop Scratching Furniture is a question that almost every cat owner asks at some point — usually after their favourite armchair or stylish sofa has been shredded beyond repair. While scratching may feel like a behavioural problem at first, it’s actually a sign that your cat is behaving exactly as nature intended.

Scratching serves an essential purpose for your cat. It allows them to stretch their muscles, keep their claws sharp, and mark their territory with scent glands located in their paws. This instinctive habit has been ingrained through generations of feline evolution — it cannot be removed, but it absolutely can be redirected.

What many pet owners don’t realise is that most unwanted scratching can be prevented if your cat is guided early and consistently. With the right tools, placement, and reinforcement, your cat can be taught where it’s okay to scratch — and where it’s not. And no, you don’t need to declaw, shout, or spray citrus oil on every surface in your home.

In this guide, I’ll show you how you can train your cat to avoid scratching furniture without frustration or punishment. You’ll discover practical tips backed by experts, UK-based animal charities, and everyday cat owners — including myself — who’ve managed to create a furniture-friendly environment without sacrificing their cat’s comfort or instincts.

Let’s walk through the seven clever, compassionate ways to stop scratching from becoming a household warzone — and start building better habits, for both of you.

7 Clever Ways to Train Your Cat to Stop Scratching Furniture and Protect Your Home

How to train your cat to stop scratching furniture may seem like a daunting task, but it’s achievable with the right strategy. Scratching is a natural behavior that helps cats stretch, mark territory, and care for their claws — but that doesn’t mean your sofa should suffer. Rather than punishing your cat, the goal is to redirect their instinct to scratch toward more appropriate alternatives.

By blending patience, environment control, and positive reinforcement, you can build long-lasting habits that protect both your furniture and your feline’s well-being.

Let’s explore seven clever ways to make that happen.

1. Understand Why Your Cat Scratches in the First Place

Before you focus on how to train your cat to stop scratching furniture, it’s vital to understand why they’re doing it in the first place. Many owners mistake scratching as bad behaviour or rebellion. But in reality, scratching is as instinctive to a cat as purring or chasing after string.

It’s not something they do to irritate you. Scratching is how cats express themselves, stretch their bodies, relieve tension, and maintain their claws. It’s been observed in both domestic and wild cats, which means it’s a biological need — not a habit that can simply be punished out of existence.

In fact, scratching serves multiple purposes that are important to both their physical health and mental well-being. Once you grasp the why, it becomes easier to offer the what now — which is where effective training begins.

Here’s why cats scratch:

• To sharpen and shed the outer layer of their claws

• To mark territory visually and with scent from glands in their paws

• To stretch and flex muscles after resting

• To cope with stress or overstimulation

• To communicate moods, especially in multi-cat homes

Cats that lack a proper scratching outlet are more likely to target furniture, carpets, or even walls. That’s why a thoughtful setup is more effective than scolding. If your cat’s scratching needs are being met in the right way and place, your furniture is far less likely to suffer.

As noted by Cats Protection UK, providing scratch-friendly materials and understanding feline behaviour is the first real step toward long-term success.

2. Offer the Right Scratching Alternatives in the Right Places

Once you understand why your cat scratches, the next essential step is offering alternatives that truly satisfy those natural needs. You can’t expect your cat to stop scratching furniture unless they’re given something better — something that feels just as good under their paws.

This is where many cat owners go wrong. Simply buying a random scratching post and placing it in an unused corner won’t work. Cats are particular creatures. They care about the texture, height, location, and even the scent of what they’re scratching. If these preferences are ignored, your cat will keep using the sofa, no matter how expensive or new that post is.

That’s why choosing the right materials and positioning them strategically around your home is crucial if you want to succeed in how to train your cat and finally stop scratching furniture where it’s not welcome.

Look for scratching posts that meet these needs:

• Material: Cats prefer sisal fabric, cardboard, or untreated wood — avoid carpeted posts

• Height: Posts should be tall enough for a full-body stretch (especially for adult cats)

• Stability: Wobbly posts can scare cats off — always choose a heavy, secure base

• Horizontal or vertical options: Some cats prefer flat mats or pads rather than upright structures

But even the best post won’t work if it’s in the wrong place.

Position your scratchers in smart spots:

• Next to the furniture they already scratch — to offer a direct alternative

• Near sleeping areas, since cats often stretch and scratch after waking

• Along walkways or entrance points, where they like to mark territory

• Near windows or corners, especially if your cat guards its territory from outside visitors

Rotating scratchers occasionally or refreshing them with catnip can also renew interest. And if you live in a multi-cat home, make sure there are enough scratchers for everyone — cats don’t like sharing resources under stress.

For more help with cat-safe boundaries and placement, see Ways to Keep Cats Off Railings for tips on behaviour redirection and zone control indoors.

Remember: giving your cat what they naturally crave — in a location they’d choose — is one of the fastest ways to stop scratching furniture without creating conflict in your home.

3. Reinforce Good Scratching Habits — Not Bad Ones

Training your cat is not just about removing the unwanted behaviour. It’s about reinforcing the right one — again and again — until it becomes instinctive. If you’ve provided your cat with the right alternatives and placed them in strategic spots, your next job is to make those spots rewarding.

Cats respond best to positive reinforcement. They will naturally repeat actions that bring them comfort, pleasure, or praise. When training is done properly, your cat will start using the scratching post simply because it feels good — and because it leads to something they likes even more.

This is why many furniture-related problems persist. When your cat scratches the sofa and gets attention (even negative attention), it still registers as a reaction. In contrast, if they scratch a post and nothing happens, they may lose interest quickly.

The key is to flip the script so the right behaviour gets the spotlight.

Use these positive reinforcement strategies:

• Offer a treat or verbal praise the moment your cat uses the scratcher

• Engage in play sessions near the scratcher to build a positive association

• Gently guide your cat’s paws to the post (without forcing) and reward any interaction

• Use clicker training if your cat responds to sound-reward pairing

Avoid scolding, yelling, or spraying water. These punishments may suppress scratching momentarily, but they increase stress and often cause your cat to find other areas to scratch in secret. Worse, they can damage the bond you’re trying to build.

Instead, look for small victories and reward them generously.

What not to do:

• Don’t punish your cat for using furniture if you haven’t provided an alternative

• Never rub their paws aggressively on the post — it creates aversion

• Avoid inconsistency — mixed messages confuse rather than teach

As the PDSA advises, it’s consistency and reward — not fear — that encourages long-term behavioural changes in cats.

When your cat starts associating the scratcher with praise, treats, or your attention, they’ll begin choosing it willingly. In time, the furniture becomes far less interesting because the right habit has been gently and firmly reinforced.

4. Make Your Furniture Less Appealing

Let’s be honest — once your cat discovers the side of the sofa or the edge of a fabric ottoman, it can feel like a losing battle. Even the most luxurious cat tree can be ignored if the furniture still “feels better” to scratch.

This is why learning how to stop scratching furniture isn’t just about adding good options. It’s also about removing the appeal of bad ones. You want to shift the odds in your favor — make scratching posts irresistible and furniture forgettable.

Think of it like steering a child away from sweets by offering a fun, healthy snack and locking the cupboard. Both things matter.

While your cat’s instincts can’t be changed, their preferences can be redirected — especially if the furniture becomes less enjoyable or interesting to scratch.

Proven deterrent techniques include:

• Double-sided tape: Cats dislike the sticky texture, which makes upholstered furniture far less tempting

• Aluminium foil or plastic sheeting: These unfamiliar surfaces can cause cats to pause and rethink their approach

• Citrus-scented sprays: Since most cats dislike the smell of citrus, natural deterrent sprays can gently dissuade without harsh chemicals

• Furniture shields or clear guards: These removable panels offer invisible protection while training is underway

In many cases, deterrents only need to be used temporarily — just long enough for new habits to take hold. Once your cat begins using their scratchers regularly, the novelty of the sofa wears off.

It’s like helping someone break a habit — the temptation must be made inconvenient while the alternative becomes easy and rewarding.

But be careful: these methods shouldn’t cause distress or fear. You’re guiding, not punishing.

Things to avoid:

• Don’t use loud noises or physical punishment — this only builds anxiety

• Avoid sticky traps or sharp plastic mats — they may cause injury

• Never use sprays containing toxic or overpowering ingredients

As noted by the Blue Cross, deterrents should be used humanely and alongside training — not as a standalone solution.

In short, your job is to change the experience. If the sofa becomes boring or bothersome to scratch and the new post feels like a treat, your cat will make that decision themselves. You’re not forcing them — you’re reshaping their environment.

And when the environment shifts, so does the behaviour.

5. Trim Your Cat’s Nails Safely and Regularly

Training your cat isn’t just about their behavior — it’s about setting them up for success. And that starts, quite literally, at the tips of their paws. When your cat’s nails are overgrown and razor-sharp, even the smallest scratch becomes destructive. Sofas are shredded faster. Carpets get caught and torn. And your skin? Forget about it.

Learning how to train your cat to stop scratching furniture goes hand in hand with keeping their claws properly maintained. A regular nail trim won’t remove their urge to scratch, but it will significantly reduce the damage done when they do.

You wouldn’t go rock climbing in boots with blades attached. Similarly, cats don’t need claws that sharp to stretch, mark, or feel satisfied. Slightly dulled nails can still serve their natural functions — without destroying your upholstery in the process.

Why nail trimming matters:

• Reduces wear and tear on your furniture

• Lowers the risk of nail-related injuries (to you and other pets)

• Helps older or less active cats avoid painful overgrowth or curling

• Makes scratching posts more satisfying than soft fabrics

Of course, nail trimming is often met with resistance — by both cat and human. But with the right approach, it doesn’t have to be a battle.

How to safely trim your cat’s claws:

• Use a cat-specific nail clipper, not human clippers or scissors

• Gently hold the paw and press to extend the claw

• Trim only the white, pointed tip — never the pink “quick,” which contains nerves and blood vessels

• Keep sessions short and positive, offering treats or breaks between paws

• If your cat resists, start by handling their paws daily without trimming, building trust gradually

You may find that some cats tolerate it better after playing or when drowsy. Others do best with two people — one to hold, one to clip. If all else fails, vets and groomers can trim nails safely in minutes.

The PDSA recommends trimming every 2–4 weeks depending on activity levels, age, and whether your cat has access to outdoor scratching surfaces.

What to avoid:

• Rushing the process — this creates panic and resistance

• Cutting too deeply — a bleeding claw is painful and sets back trust

• Declawing — an inhumane, irreversible procedure that’s banned in the UK and considered harmful by all major animal welfare groups

Trimming may feel intimidating at first, but it becomes easier with consistency. And when scratching doesn’t cause major damage, training becomes far less stressful — for both of you.

Think of it as filing your nails before typing on a touchscreen. The task may seem tedious, but the benefits are immediate, and the long-term difference is noticeable in every swipe.

6. Address Underlying Stress or Boredom

If you’ve provided scratching posts, trimmed nails, and used deterrents — yet your cat still targets your furniture — it might not be about the furniture at all. Sometimes, unwanted scratching is a symptom, not the problem itself.

Cats are highly sensitive animals. Their behaviour can shift drastically in response to boredom, stress, overstimulation, or lack of enrichment. In many homes, these issues often go unnoticed — especially when life gets busy or routines change.

That’s why How to Train Your Cat must also include a closer look at your cat’s emotional landscape. Scratching isn’t just physical. It’s also psychological.

Imagine feeling trapped in a room with no outlet for energy, stress, or routine. Over time, even small things might push you to act out. The same goes for your cat — especially indoor-only cats or those without daily play, climbing, or stimulation.

Common stressors that may lead to destructive scratching:

• Sudden changes in the home (like a new pet, baby, or move)

• Lack of playtime or structured activity

• Conflict in multi-cat households

• Restricted access to preferred territory or windows

• Too much noise or inconsistent routines

These triggers often go unnoticed, but your furniture may be paying the price.

Simple strategies to reduce stress and beat boredom:

• Introduce interactive play sessions twice daily with wand toys or laser pointers

• Offer puzzle feeders to turn meals into mentally stimulating activities

• Provide vertical climbing options like cat trees, window perches, or wall shelves

• Set up hiding spots and safe spaces to let your cat retreat when overwhelmed

• Stick to predictable feeding and play routines, which build emotional stability

Experts at Cats Protection UK stress the importance of daily enrichment to reduce stress-based behaviours — including scratching.

If you’ve noticed your cat becoming more reactive, vocal, or clingy, these may also be signs that something emotional is being expressed physically.

Bonus tip:

Try plugging in a Feliway diffuser, which releases synthetic calming pheromones. These mimic natural scents cats use to self-soothe and may reduce stress-induced scratching over time.

By treating the cause — not just the behaviour — your cat is more likely to redirect their energy into play, sleep, and appropriate scratching spots. And that’s when lasting behaviour change begins to take root.

After all, a relaxed cat scratches less destructively because they have less to work out through their claws.

7. When in Doubt, Get Expert Help

Even with the best intentions and the most creative strategies, sometimes, training your cat to stop scratching furniture just doesn’t go as planned. And that’s okay. Every cat is different, and some behaviours are rooted in deeper issues that may not be obvious to the untrained eye.

At this point, you might feel like you’ve tried everything — the scratchers, the deterrents, the play sessions, and even calming sprays. If your cat still insists on tearing into the furniture or walls, it’s time to bring in a professional.

Seeking help doesn’t mean you’ve failed. In fact, it’s one of the most responsible and compassionate steps you can take. Sometimes, there’s a medical reason behind scratching. Other times, subtle stress signals or territorial triggers need to be evaluated through a behavioural lens.

Reasons to consult a professional:

• Persistent or escalating destructive scratching

• Signs of aggression or anxiety alongside scratching

• Multi-cat dynamics causing competition over space

• Unexplained changes in your cat’s habits or mood

• No improvement despite consistent training attempts

These aren’t just quirks — they could be symptoms of physical discomfort, cognitive decline, or emotional stress that requires a trained assessment.

Where to find expert support:

• Your veterinarian should always be your first point of contact to rule out health concerns like arthritis or skin irritation

• A feline behaviourist can assess your home, routines, and cat’s psychology to build a personalized training plan

• Consider charities like Cats Protection or the PDSA for guidance and referrals in the UK

Just as a personal trainer fine-tunes your fitness plan when progress stalls, a feline professional will help refine your approach — often noticing things you’ve missed. They might suggest minor adjustments to your environment, rearranging territories, or using behaviour tracking logs to identify hidden patterns.

Remember, when you’re feeling stuck, it doesn’t mean your cat is untrainable. It just means the solution needs a little more insight, a little more patience — and sometimes, a fresh perspective.

Because at the end of the day, every cat wants to feel secure. And every owner deserves a home where furniture stays intact without losing the joy of living with a happy, expressive pet. In case of any sudden emergency regarding your pet’s fall and experiencing poisoning, read the Animal Poison Control Emergencies with Confidence and Care – 10 Powerful Ways

Takeaway: Train With Patience, Not Punishment — and the Results Will Follow

Learning how to train your cat to stop scratching furniture isn’t about suppressing a natural behavior. It’s about understanding it, respecting it, and providing smarter, safer alternatives. When your cat feels secure, stimulated, and supported, their behaviour shifts — not out of fear, but out of trust.

Whether you’re dealing with a curious kitten or a stubborn adult cat, progress is always possible. It just takes patience, consistency, and a bit of insight into your cat’s emotional world.

You don’t need to settle for shredded sofas or constant frustration. With the right tools in place, a well-placed scratch post, and a few daily minutes of mindful engagement, your cat can be gently guided away from destructive scratching — and toward habits that enrich both their life and your home.

At PetsFilled.us, we believe your cat deserves to thrive, not just exist. And you deserve furniture that lasts more than a few months. That’s why we’re committed to helping you build better habits, stronger bonds, and a more peaceful shared space.

Now that you’re equipped with the essentials, take the next step with confidence — and watch your cat follow your lead, one soft paw at a time.

FAQ About How to Train Your Cat to Stop Scratching Furniture