How to Stop a Kitten Scratching Furniture

You cannot stop a cat scratching — it is essential behaviour, not naughtiness. What you can do is give them something better to scratch. Almost every “problem” scratcher is simply a cat whose scratching post is in the wrong place or the wrong design.

Why cats scratch

• To condition their claws by removing the old outer sheath
• To stretch the muscles of the back and shoulders
• To mark territory — both visually and with scent glands in their paws
• To relieve stress or boredom

Get the post right

Most commercial posts fail on one of three counts. A good scratching post is:

• Tall enough for a full stretch — at least 80 cm, and taller for a big cat
• Sturdy — if it wobbles, they will not use it
• Covered in sisal rope or rough fabric, not carpet, which is too much like the thing you are trying to protect

Offer at least two: one vertical post and one horizontal pad, since cats have individual preferences.

Put it in the right place

This is where most people go wrong. Posts hidden in a spare room do nothing. Put one right next to the furniture they are scratching, then move it a few centimetres a day toward where you would prefer it. Cats scratch where they wake up and where they want to be noticed — usually the living room, not the laundry.

Redirect rather than punish

• Put the post next to the target and rub a little catnip or silvervine on it
• Praise and reward them warmly every time they use it
• When they go for the furniture, calmly move them to the post — never shout or spray them with water, which only teaches them to wait until you are out of the room
• Make the furniture temporarily unattractive: double-sided tape, a throw, or aluminium foil
• Keep claws trimmed every couple of weeks to reduce damage

What not to do

Never declaw. It is the amputation of the last bone of each toe and is banned or strongly opposed in most of the world, including by Australian veterinary bodies. It causes lasting pain and often behavioural problems. Never punish, and never use water spraying as a primary strategy — it damages trust.

If scratching suddenly increases

A sudden change in scratching often means stress or a medical issue with the claws. If it appears alongside other changes, see your vet. More on behaviour generally is in our kitten behaviour guide, and our apartment guide covers protecting a small space.