The Sofa Can Show You Where a Cat Scratcher Belongs

A scratching post stands in the corner, yet your cat keeps returning to the sofa arm. Before buying another one, look at the place and posture your cat has chosen. Those details can help you offer a surface they'll actually use.

Start beside the scratch marks

Scratching maintains claws and leaves scent and visible marks. Cats Protection explains that it is normal feline behavior. The aim is to give it an acceptable outlet at home, rather than expect it to disappear.

Put a scratcher beside the furniture your cat already uses. A post hidden in a spare room may leave the preferred spot without an alternative. Cats also often scratch after waking, so a resting area can be another useful location. Once a new scratcher is being used, Cats Protection suggests moving it gradually if its position needs to change.

For a vertical post, check that the base stays steady when the cat leans against it and that there is enough height for a full stretch. A short kitten post may no longer suit an adult cat. Buying a taller post won't fix a base that rocks under their weight.

Follow the direction your cat prefers

A cat scratching the carpet is using a different movement from one reaching up a chair. Cats Protection's behavior guidance notes that cats who prefer horizontal surfaces may have little interest in a vertical post. Offer a flat scratching pad where that behavior occurs. Give a cat already reaching upward a suitable upright surface.

Texture matters too. Cat Friendly Homes recommends offering different scratching options to learn an individual cat's preferences, including sisal or other materials they like. A flat cardboard pad and an upright sisal post let you observe different choices; neither is a universal answer. Preferences may change as cats age.

Let the cat approach on their own. Cats Protection specifically advises against taking their paws and scraping them on the post, because this can put them off using it.

Reward use without making scratching frightening

When your cat uses the scratcher, reward them with something they enjoy, such as a treat or attention. Cat Friendly Homes recommends positive reinforcement and warns against punishment, including squirting water. Use a suitable furniture protector while the new habit develops; its current guidance advises against double-sided sticky tape as a deterrent.

Watch for a change in the pattern as well as fresh damage. Increased scratching can accompany distress. If it suddenly spreads around doors or windows, consider what has changed nearby, including encounters with other cats. A new post alone may leave that concern unresolved.

Call your veterinarian about a change in your cat's usual behavior. For an established furniture-scratching habit, the practical starting point is a stable surface in the place your cat already chooses, with enough room for the movement they prefer.

References

Cats and Scratching — Cats Protection

Behaviour Focus Scratching — Nicky Trevorrow, Cats Protection, 2015

Positive Habits for Happier Cats — Cat Friendly Homes, 2026