Top 7 Recommended Products to Correct Furniture Scratching in Cats

Brain & CognitionTop PicksMeongsiljang Veterinary Advisory Board

Scratching is an innate, instinctive behavior in cats that cannot be suppressed. Based on veterinary advice, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide covering how to choose the right scratcher by material and design, optimal placement, and effective ways to protect your furniture.

Scratching is an Uncontrollable Feline Instinct

A close-up of a cat scratching a scratching post with its claws

Scratching is an innate feline instinct that simultaneously serves three purposes: claw maintenance, territorial marking, and muscle stretching. The key to management isn’t to stop the scratching behavior itself, but to guide your cat toward appropriate surfaces. Cats have scent glands between their paw pads, so scratching allows them to mark their territory while also shedding the outer sheath of their claws and stretching the muscles in their front legs and back. By providing a suitable scratching post in the right location to meet these three needs, you can resolve most furniture-scratching issues.

3 Real Reasons Your Cat Scratches Furniture Despite Having a Scratcher

There are clear reasons why your cat may continue to scratch furniture even when a scratching post is available.

The location is incorrect: Cats prefer to mark their territory near areas where they frequently rest, by windows, or along common household pathways. A scratching post placed in a secluded corner is often ignored.

The material is unsuitable: Each cat has its own material preference. It’s important to first determine whether your cat favors sisal, corrugated cardboard, or carpet.

Stress is the underlying cause: Environmental changes such as moving to a new home, introducing a new pet, or an increase in visitors can lead to a sudden spike in scratching behavior.

Scratcher Features by Material — Which One Will Your Cat Like?

Sisal (hemp) material: Highly durable and effective at helping cats shed the outer layer of their claws. While many cats enjoy its rough texture, preferences vary by individual, so it’s best to let your cat try it out to see if they like it. Cardboard material: Affordable and popular with cats who enjoy chewing and crumpling. However, it tends to produce a lot of debris and needs to be replaced frequently. Carpet and fabric materials: Soft and quiet, making them suitable for kittens and senior cats. Be cautious with loop-pile products, as claws can get caught in the loops. Wooden material: A good fit for cats with outdoor living experience, and it also complements home decor nicely. Since each cat has different preferences for vertical or horizontal surfaces, as well as rough or smooth textures, we recommend offering two or three types to observe which one your cat favors.

A comparison of four cat scratcher materials: sisal, cardboard, carpet, and wood

Declawing Surgery Is Absolutely Not Recommended

Some owners choose declawing surgery to address scratching problems. However, major veterinary organizations, including the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), along with feline behavior experts, do not recommend this procedure and support its discontinuation. If it must be performed, they emphasize the need for adequate multimodal analgesia. The procedure is also banned under animal welfare laws in several European countries. Scratching can be effectively managed without surgery through environmental management and behavior modification, such as properly placing and selecting appropriate scratching posts, and avoiding punishment.

Best Scratchers by Type — Vertical vs. Horizontal vs. Corner

Vertical (Post) Scratcher: This is the most natural posture for cats, allowing them to stretch fully. It needs to be tall enough (at least 65cm) for the cat to stand on its hind legs and stretch comfortably, and the base should be heavy to prevent tipping during use.

Horizontal (Floor) Scratcher: Ideal for cats who prefer scratching on flat surfaces. These are often made of cardboard and are more affordable.

Corner Scratcher: Effective for redirecting cats that focus their scratching on sofa or wall corners. Placing it right next to the problematic area helps quickly guide them to the appropriate spot.

A comparison of three types of cat scratchers: vertical, horizontal, and corner models

Quick Comparison of Scratcher Types

Item	Vertical post	Horizontal floor	Corner type
Main material	Sisal/carpet	Corrugated cardboard	Sisal/carpet
Recommended size	65cm or taller	30cm or longer	40cm or taller
Stretching benefit	High	Low	Medium
Best placement location	Center of living room / next to window	Near bed/sofa	Right next to the corner they scratch
Replacement cycle	6–12 months	1–3 months	3–6 months
Price range	₩10,000–50,000	₩3,000–15,000	₩10,000–30,000

Prices reflect the lowest online price range as of 2025

Scratcher Placement — Put It Here and They’ll Definitely Use It

If your cat isn’t using the scratcher, it’s most likely because it’s placed in the wrong spot.

Right next to their sleeping or resting area: Cats often stretch and scratch right after waking up. Placing the scratcher next to their bed or favorite resting spot is the most effective location.

Near high-traffic areas: Cats want to leave their scent in places where people frequently pass by, such as hallways and entrances, to mark their territory. Positioning one near the front door or the entrance to the living room works well.

Next to the furniture they currently scratch: Start by placing the scratcher right next to the sofa or wall they’ve been scratching. Once they’ve formed the habit, you can gradually move it to your preferred location. Keeping it in a highly visible spot is also key to encouraging regular use.

A cat using a scratching post placed in an appropriate spot next to the sofa.

5-Step Method to Correct Furniture Scratching

The key to correcting furniture scratching isn’t about saying “no”—it’s about offering a suitable alternative.

Step 1 — Identify the spot and material: First, observe where your cat prefers to scratch and what surfaces they favor.

Step 2 — Place a scratching post nearby: Position a scratching post made of the same material right next to the spot they’ve been using.

Step 3 — Use positive reinforcement: Reward your cat with treats or praise every time they use the scratching post. Scolding them for scratching furniture won’t help.

Step 4 — Protect the furniture: Temporarily apply double-sided tape or aluminum foil to the furniture; most cats dislike the texture and will naturally avoid it.

Step 5 — Gradually relocate the post: Slowly move the scratching post 10–15 cm per week toward your desired location.

A Sudden Increase in Scratching May Be a Sign of Stress

A sudden increase in scratching frequency compared to usual may signal environmental stress. Check for recent changes such as moving, adopting a new pet, an influx of visitors, or conflicts with other cats. However, if your cat is in pain, scratching may actually decrease, leading to overgrown claws and poor nail maintenance, or you might notice repetitive licking of specific areas, particularly joints. If scratching is accompanied by vocalization, excessive grooming or licking, or noticeable behavioral changes such as increased irritability or withdrawal, it’s best to visit a veterinary clinic to rule out pain or behavioral issues.

Reviewed by a veterinarian

Dr. Tony — Punnawat Phongkittirak

Veterinarian

A veterinarian who majored in veterinary medicine at Khon Kaen University, Thailand, and completed the IVSA program at North Carolina State University in the United States. Drawing on clinical experience at animal hospitals, he works in the pet healthcare field and is dedicated to building a digital care environment that connects pet parents with veterinarians.

Frequently Asked Questions

I bought a scratching post, but my pet won’t use it at all. Why is that?

It’s likely that the current location and material don’t suit your cat’s preferences. Try moving it to a spot near where your cat often rests, and lightly spray some catnip to attract their attention. It’s also a good idea to provide both vertical and horizontal options to see which one your cat prefers.

How high should a cat scratcher be?

The scratching post should be taller than your cat’s height when standing on its hind legs with its front paws fully extended. For most adult cats, a height of 65 to 75 cm or more is recommended. If the base is too light or small, the cat may slip while scratching and subsequently avoid using it.

Will trimming your pet's nails more frequently reduce scratching?

There’s no strong correlation between claw length and how often your cat scratches. Scratching is primarily about marking territory and stretching, not just maintaining claws. Regular trimming can help reduce furniture damage, but it won’t decrease the scratching behavior itself.

My dog only scratches the corners of the sofa. What should I do?

The quickest approach is to attach a corner scratcher directly to the sofa's edge or place a post-style scratcher right in front of it. For faster results, also apply double-sided tape to the sofa corners to deter scratching by creating an unpleasant texture.

If you have multiple cats, how many scratching posts do you need?

In multi-cat households, it’s best to provide one litter box for every cat, plus one extra. Placing them across different floors or rooms can effectively reduce stress caused by competition over resources.

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References

[1] Atkinson, T. (2018). A Professional's Guide to Feline Behaviour: Understanding, Improving and Resolving Problems. CABI Publishing. Chapter: Scratching, pp. 88–90.

[2] Little, S.E. (Ed.) (2012). The Cat: Clinical Medicine and Management, 2nd Edition. Elsevier Saunders. Chapter 49: Feline Behaviour, fig. 49.24.

[3] DePorter, T.L. & Elzerman, A.L. (2019). Common feline problem behaviors: Destructive scratching. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 21(3), 235–243.