Scratching is a natural feline behavior. But that doesn’t mean you have to tolerate the sound of your couch getting torn up!
First and foremost, you’ll need to supply suitable alternatives for your cat to scratch on. Some cats prefer scratching vertically, in which case a scratching post is useful. Others may prefer to scratch horizontally, such as on a scratching pad. We recommend providing both vertical and horizontal scratching surfaces for your cat. Vertical scratching posts need to be tall enough for your cat to stretch out while they’re scratching.
Cats often scratch to mark their territory, so leaving scratching posts in the areas your cat frequents may also help to reduce unwanted furniture scratching. Putting a scratching post in the corner of a room no one ever goes into might not be helpful.
If you notice your cat scratching on the couch, it’s best to stop the behavior by moving them to an appropriate scratching object. If they then scratch appropriately, make sure to reward them. If your cat has a preferred corner of the couch they like to scratch, consider blocking access to the corner with a scratching post. There are also furniture guards you can place over areas that are frequently scratched.
Another reason cats claw furniture is to maintain their nails. Regularly trimming your kitten’s claws may help reduce clawing behavior (or at least reduce the damage they do when clawing). You may prefer to use special clippers designed for cats, but human nail clippers are totally okay as well.
You can extend a claw for trimming by gently pressing on the joint just behind the claw with your thumb and forefinger. Then, you can clip off the sharp tip of the nail. The pink part of the nail, called the quick, should be avoided. This is where the blood vessels and nerve endings lie, like the pinkish area under your nail. Cutting the quick is painful.
If you do accidentally cut the quick, it’s okay! Even veterinary professionals sometimes do it (and still feel bad about it too!). A little bit of cornstarch should help stop the bleeding.
Another alternative is to put on temporary nail caps. These nail caps are filled with an adhesive and then placed over the claw. These caps are designed to allow your cat to still stretch and scratch and to retract and extend their claws as needed. However, these are designed to prevent damage to the furniture if the cat does scratch.
If you continue to see excessive scratching in your home, speak with your VCA care team. In some cases, anxiety may play a role, which your veterinarian is well-suited to help with.
Help ease your cat’s anxiety with veterinarian-approved calming pheromones.
