Why cats scratch and how to redirect it

Cats scratch because it is natural and necessary. It maintains the claws, stretches the body, leaves scent and visual marks and releases tension. You cannot stop a cat from scratching, but you can choose where it happens. Offer sturdy, tall posts where the cat already scratches, make the furniture less appealing and reward good choices. Never declaw.

scratching is a core feline behaviour. A cat that scratches your sofa is not being spiteful. It is doing something it needs to do, in a place that works for it.

Why cats scratch

• Claw care. The outer layer of a claw wears and sheds. Scratching helps remove the old sheath so a sharp new claw is ready. The retractable claws are kept sharp this way.
• Stretching. A long scratch on a vertical surface stretches the shoulders, back and legs. Many cats scratch right after waking.
• Marking. The paw pads have scent glands, and a scratch leaves both a visible mark and a smell. This is a form of scent marking. Cats often scratch near doorways, sleeping places and spots where they feel they need to say "this is mine".
• Emotion. Cats scratch when excited, when greeting you, when frustrated and sometimes when anxious.
• Play and exercise. It is also a way to use energy.

Because a scratch is a message, cats choose prominent spots, such as the sofa beside the door or the end of a bed. A post hidden in a corner may be ignored.

What a good scratching post looks like

A cat will use a surface that is stable, tall enough and pleasant to dig into. Check these points.

1. Stable. If the post wobbles or tips, the cat will not use it again. Choose a heavy base or fix it to a wall.
2. Tall. The cat should be able to stretch fully. A post that is too short is a common problem. For many adult cats, a post of 75 to 90 centimetres works well.
3. A rough, shreddable material. Sisal rope or fabric, cardboard and bark are common choices. Carpet on a post can teach a cat that carpet is for scratching, which causes trouble at home, so some owners avoid it.
4. The right orientation. Some cats prefer vertical posts, some prefer horizontal pads and some like angled ones. Offer more than one type and watch which gets used.
5. A useful place. Put posts where the cat already scratches, or where it sleeps and where the family gathers. A scratching post next to the favourite chair works better than one in a spare room.
6. Enough posts. In a multi-cat home, provide several, spread around, so cats do not compete.

A cat tree with sisal-wrapped trunks combines a scratcher with climbing and perching. Choose a sturdy one.

How to redirect scratching

1. Place a post beside the damaged item. Put it right next to the sofa corner, or in front of the door frame. After the cat uses it, move it a little at a time to a better place, if needed.
2. Make the cat's choice appealing. Rub a little dried catnip on the post if your cat responds to it, or use a toy to lure the cat to scratch. Praise or reward after scratching in the right place.
3. Make the old spot less attractive. Cover the area with a smooth throw, a sheet, a plastic sheet or double-sided tape for a few weeks. Cats dislike sticky surfaces. Keep the covering in place until the new habit is strong, then remove it gradually.
4. Close doors to rooms where scratching is a problem if you cannot manage it.
5. Keep the claws trimmed. Short claws do less damage.
6. Give the cat plenty of play and enrichment. Boredom and frustration increase unwanted scratching. Use wand toys and puzzle feeders.
7. Stay calm. Do not shout, spray the cat with water or punish. This teaches the cat to scratch when you are out of the room, and it damages trust.

Expect weeks, not days. Rewards and patience work better than discouragement.

Trimming claws

Trim claws every few weeks if the cat will allow it. Ask your vet or a groomer for a demonstration.

• Use a clipper made for cats.
• Hold the paw gently and press the toe so the claw extends.
• Cut only the sharp, clear tip. Stay well away from the pink part, called the quick, which has blood vessels and nerves.
• Stop if the cat is stressed. Do one paw per session.
• Reward the cat with a treat.

Start young if you can. A kitten that gets used to paw handling is easier to trim later. If a claw bleeds, apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth and call your vet if it does not stop.

Why not to declaw

Declawing is not a nail trim. It removes the last bone of each toe, as if you cut off a fingertip at the last joint, and is a major operation. It causes pain, can cause lasting problems with walking, may lead to biting and litter box trouble and is banned or restricted in many countries and some regions. Many veterinary bodies oppose it. If scratching is a serious problem, ask your vet about alternatives such as regular trimming and soft nail caps, and ask a qualified behaviour specialist for help.

Common mistakes

• A post that is too short, too light or too wobbly.
• Placing it in a distant room.
• Offering only one material.
• Punishing the cat.
• Removing the old scratch mark too soon. Cats return to marked spots. Use a covering and an alternative first.
• Hoping a single post will fix everything. Offer several.
• Leaving claws long and unchecked. Overgrown claws can curl into the pad.
• Declawing.

When to call a vet

Call your vet if:

• A claw is torn, bleeding, swollen or curling into the pad.
• The cat scratches itself so much that the skin is raw or fur is lost. Itching has medical causes such as fleas, allergies, mites or infection.
• A cat that never scratched surfaces suddenly begins to do it compulsively, or stops using the post and seems unwilling to stretch up. Joint pain can change how a cat moves.
• The cat limps or licks its paws constantly.
• Scratching comes with aggression you cannot explain.

If a cat scratches a person and the skin breaks, wash the wound well. Seek medical advice if it swells or you feel unwell, since cat scratches can become infected.

Summary

• Scratching keeps claws healthy, stretches the body and marks territory.
• Offer tall, stable posts in the places the cat already uses.
• Cover the old spot, reward the new one and be patient.
• Trim claws gently and regularly.
• Never declaw. Ask your vet about alternatives.
• Call your vet for torn claws, raw skin or sudden changes.