Why Cats Scratch and How to Redirect the Behaviour

Scratching is normal behaviour to guide

Scratching can be frustrating when a cat chooses a sofa, chair or another household object. But scratching is not a behaviour cats should stop altogether. It is a normal feline activity with physical and communication functions. A practical, humane approach is to understand what the behaviour does for your cat, then make acceptable scratching areas easier and more appealing to use.

The aim is redirection: teach your cat where and what to scratch while reducing the appeal of unwanted surfaces. Individual preferences vary, and observational studies show associations rather than proving that one method works for every cat.

Why do cats scratch?

Scratching can serve more than one purpose at the same time. The visible marks and paw-pad scent may communicate a cat’s presence, while the movement helps condition the claws and stretch the body. Veterinary guidance also describes muscle activity, exercise and possible social interaction as parts of scratching behaviour.

This helps explain why simply removing one scratching surface may not solve the problem. Your cat may still need a place to mark, stretch or maintain its claws. Replacing the behaviour with an appropriate option is usually more realistic than trying to suppress it.

• Visual marking: scratches leave visible marks in a location.
• Scent marking: glands in the paw pads can deposit scent during scratching.
• Claw conditioning and grooming.
• Stretching and exercise.
• Possible social interaction, including communication with other cats or people.

Identify your cat’s scratching preferences

Before choosing a scratcher, observe what your cat already does. Orientation and texture can provide useful clues. A cat that scratches the side of a sofa may prefer a vertical surface, while a cat that targets a rug may favour a horizontal option. These observations can guide your choices, but no single material, dimension or design is known to suit every cat.

If you are unsure, provide more than one type. Offering both vertical and horizontal scratchers gives your cat an opportunity to show a preference rather than requiring you to guess.

• Does your cat choose vertical surfaces, horizontal surfaces or both?
• What textures or materials does your cat return to?
• Does scratching happen near a sleeping or resting area?
• Which household objects or locations are targeted?
• Does your cat prefer a prominent, easy-to-reach location?

Choose and place acceptable alternatives

Placement can be as important as the scratcher itself. Veterinary and feline-care guidance recommends placing scratching areas near where cats sleep, since many cats stretch and scratch after waking. A scratcher near a previously targeted chair, sofa or other object may also be more convenient than one in a distant or rarely used area.

Prominent locations may matter as well: scratching can be part of communication, so a hidden item may not replace a visible household target. Environmental studies identify associations between scratching and factors such as the availability and placement of scratching posts and preferred areas. These findings support adapting the environment, while not proving that one placement strategy will work for every cat.

• Choose stable, appealing scratching surfaces that do not wobble when used.
• Match the orientation your cat already prefers when possible.
• Offer both vertical and horizontal options if the preference is unclear.
• Place a scratcher near sleeping or resting areas.
• Place another close to objects or locations your cat already scratches.
• Keep acceptable options easy to reach and in prominent locations.

Encourage appropriate scratching

You can encourage exploration without forcing your cat’s paws onto the scratcher. Play can draw attention to the area, and a treat, praise or another reward can follow when your cat uses the acceptable surface. Catnip may help in some situations, but it should be viewed as an optional aid rather than a guaranteed solution.

A survey reported an association between placing a cat near designated scratching items and lower scratching of undesignated objects. Because this was observational evidence, it does not prove that placing a cat near an item caused the improvement. Use it as one possible part of a broader redirection plan, alongside suitable placement, access and positive reinforcement.

• Use play near the scratcher to create interest.
• Offer a treat or another reward after appropriate use.
• Praise calmly when your cat scratches the intended surface.
• Try catnip where appropriate, while recognising that attractants are not universally effective.
• Continue improving access to acceptable surfaces rather than relying on a single item.

Make unwanted surfaces less attractive

Redirection works best when the desired option becomes more convenient and the unwanted surface becomes less appealing. Covering a targeted area with double-sided sticky tape is one example described in veterinary behaviour guidance. Consider the material and location carefully so the change is suitable for your household and does not create another hazard.

Environmental changes should support, not replace, access to good scratching areas. If a sofa is covered but the nearest scratcher is unstable, poorly placed or unlike anything your cat prefers, the underlying need has not been addressed.

• Cover a targeted surface with double-sided sticky tape where suitable.
• Keep an appealing alternative immediately available nearby.
• Avoid making the acceptable option difficult to access.
• Change the environment while continuing to reward appropriate use.

Why punishment is not the answer

Avoid yelling, frightening your cat or using other punishment. Direct punishment may suppress scratching only when you are present, rather than teaching a lasting alternative. It may also increase stress. In addition, scent marking through scratching is normal communication and should not be punished.

Focus instead on improving access to acceptable options and rewarding appropriate use. The goal is to change the environment and reinforce a preferred behaviour, not to make the cat afraid to scratch.

When to seek additional support

If scratching continues, review the whole setup: orientation, texture, stability, location, access and the appeal of the unwanted surface. Maintain environmental changes rather than expecting a fixed timetable for results. Observational research cannot establish one universally effective method, so adjustments may be needed for the individual cat.

Seek veterinary or appropriately trained feline-behaviour support when environmental changes do not resolve the issue, especially if scratching is sudden, extreme, linked with distress or accompanied by other behavioural or physical changes. Professional assessment can help consider the wider context without treating normal scratching itself as something that must disappear.

A humane redirection plan

Cats scratch for normal physical and communication reasons. By observing preferences, offering stable and appealing vertical or horizontal options, placing them near sleeping areas and previously targeted objects, and reinforcing appropriate use, you can redirect the behaviour humanely.

The objective is not to stop scratching altogether. It is to help your cat choose acceptable surfaces and locations while reducing the appeal of household objects. Environmental changes and positive reinforcement are more appropriate than punishment.

Evidence note

Evidence summaries and observational studies support the general principles in this article, but individual cats can respond differently. Associations in observational research do not prove that a particular placement, attractant or training step will work for every cat.