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Why scratching is important for your cat

  • Territorial Marking

    Cats have scent glands in their paws, and scratching is a way to mark their territory with their scent, which can help establish a sense of ownership and security

  • Physical & Mental Health

    Scratching helps keep your cat's claws healthy by removing the outer sheath and maintaining their sharpness. Scratching also allows your cat to release built-up tension and express their emotions, helping them feel more relaxed and content

  • Enrichment

    Scratching provides mental and physical stimulation, contributing to your cat's overall mental health and preventing boredom or stress-related behaviors

"Scratching Furniture"

What to do if your cat is scratching your furniture

• Teach your cat where and what to scratch. This means providing them with a number of different (non-furniture) surfaces and objects to scratch; and making these different surfaces interesting enough that your cat prefers them to the furniture items in your home.


• Get a variety of scratching posts. In addition to cardboard posts, this means exploring upholstered, wood, carpeted, horizontal, vertical and slanted posts. All of these different textures and angles will help provide your cat with interesting alternatives to your furniture.


• Dazzle each scratching post. Use toys and catnip to make your cat think, “Wow, this is awesome.” Try hanging different toys from each post every few days so that your cat’s interest is maintained over time. Catnip isn’t something you need to use every day, but bring it out when you really want to incentivize your cat.


• Make the ground around your furniture uncomfortable. Cover the floor where you cat stands to scratch (e.g. the floor by the corner of your couch) with plastic wrap, sand paper, or even sticky tape. Be sure to position a scratching post nearby so your cat has a suitable scratching alternative.