Recently, a friend who owns a cat complained to me that her cat keeps scratching the sofa, and it’s the second one that’s been ruined. She said her cat is so disobedient and inconsiderate—she feeds it well, provides treats, and takes great care of it, but it’s so rebellious! I told her that while scratching the sofa is definitely not acceptable, the reason behind it might not be entirely the cat’s fault.
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Why Do Cats Scratch the Sofa?
Cats don’t scratch the sofa because they’re being naughty—they scratch because it’s in their nature! Scratching is a natural instinct deeply ingrained in cats. In other words, they don’t have to scratch the sofa; they can scratch anything they can sink their claws into. The sofa is just one of their choices. In fact, scratching has many benefits for cats. For indoor cats who spend a lot of time at home, scratching helps stimulate their minds and burn off excess energy. It also helps maintain their claws, which is good for their overall paw health. Cats also use scratching to mark objects, and after marking, they feel more secure in their environment.
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Why Choose the Sofa?
So why do cats prefer to scratch the sofa? It may have to do with the material of the sofa. But more importantly, it’s possible that your home doesn’t have dedicated scratching objects for your cat, such as a scratching post or cat tree. If a cat doesn’t have something designed specifically for scratching but feels the urge to scratch, it will naturally look for something to substitute, and the sofa becomes a great option. Additionally, some cats may scratch the sofa when they feel anxious. And if a cat is particularly energetic, it might scratch anything, including the sofa.
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How to Stop Your Cat from Scratching the Sofa
Based on the reasons above for why cats scratch the sofa, the solutions are pretty straightforward.① Provide Dedicated Scratching Items:First and foremost, you should provide designated scratching items for your cat, like scratching posts, cat trees, or cardboard boxes—these are perfect for scratching. When choosing these items, make sure they are the right size for your cat. If your cat is large, a small scratching post might not be useful. Some cats prefer vertical scratching posts over horizontal ones, so pay attention to your cat’s preference.② Reduce Anxiety:If your cat scratches the sofa due to anxiety, it’s important to identify the cause of their stress. Check if there have been any recent changes in your home or if your cat might be feeling unwell. Once you address the source of the anxiety, your cat’s behavior will likely return to normal.③ Increase Interaction:For cats that have excessive energy, you’ll need to spend more time playing with them. It’s essential to interact with your cat for at least 20–30 minutes a day. Once their energy is expended, they may stop scratching the sofa.④ Trim Their Nails Regularly:If a cat’s claws are too long because they haven’t been trimmed in a while, they may scratch the sofa out of discomfort. Regular nail trimming helps prevent this.⑤ Use a Spray:Finally, if your cat is particularly attached to scratching the sofa, you can try using a citrus-scented spray. Many cats dislike the smell of citrus or lemon. Spraying this scent on the sofa may deter them from scratching it
These are the main reasons why cats scratch the sofa, along with some solutions to address the behavior. Now you know—if your cat is scratching the sofa and being “disobedient,” it’s often because there’s something you might be missing in their care!
