If your cat has ever shredded the corner of your sofa, it can feel like bad behavior. It is not. Scratching is one of the most natural things a cat does, and the fix is rarely about stopping it. It is about giving your cat a better place to do it.
Here is why cats scratch, what makes a scratcher they will actually use, and how to match one to your cat's style and your home.
Why Cats Scratch
Scratching is instinct, not mischief. When you understand what your cat is getting out of it, the goal shifts from stopping the behavior to redirecting it. Cats scratch to:
Because all three are natural needs, punishing a cat for scratching does not work. The far easier path is to give them a surface that is more appealing than your furniture, in the right spot.
What Makes a Scratcher They Will Actually Use
A scratcher only helps if your cat chooses it over the couch. A few things make that far more likely:
Match the Scratcher to Your Cat's Style
The best scratcher is the one that fits how your cat already scratches. Here is how our new scratching line breaks down by style, so you can pick the right shape for your cat and your room.
Our new scratching line is open for pre-order now and ships in early October.
Where to Put It
Placement matters as much as the scratcher itself. Cats scratch where they live and pass through, so meet them there:
Then let your cat do the rest. Reward them when they use the scratcher, keep their nails trimmed, and give it a little time. Redirecting a habit is far easier than fighting one.
Scratching is not a problem to fix, it is a need to meet. Give your cat the right surface in the right spot, and your furniture and your cat will both be happier for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Scratching is natural, not bad behavior. Cats scratch to stretch their muscles, to shed the old outer layer of their claws, and to mark territory, since their paws leave both a scent and a visible mark. Because it is an instinct, the goal is not to stop it but to give your cat a better place to do it.
It depends on the cat. Some love to reach up and stretch tall against a post, while others prefer to scratch down and out on a flat surface. If you are not sure which your cat prefers, offer both and watch which one gets used.
Cats tend to like sisal, paper rope, or a dense woven carpet, since these give satisfying resistance and hold up to daily use. The most important things are that the surface matches what your cat already likes to scratch, and that the post is sturdy and tall or long enough for a full stretch.
Place an approved scratcher right next to the spot your cat has been using, so the better option is easy to find. Make the furniture itself less appealing for a while, reward your cat when they use the scratcher, and never punish the scratching itself. Regular nail trims also help reduce damage.
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