Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Stop cat from scratch furniture effort, what helps, what doesn’t and how I made peace with being a cat parent
I knew it was a risk.
We live with two cats. And yet, I bought a beautiful, soft, new $3,000 couch. White.
Yes, mummy allows to have something she likes, right?
I paid additional cost for “cat scratch proof materials.”
It lasted one week.
Sami got to it first. Phoebe followed. By the second weekend, the corners were shredded, threads hanging like spaghetti. I tried not to cry.
We’d been through this before — chairs, rugs, the side of the bed frame. But I really thought this time I’d be prepared.
I tried sprays. I tried covers. I put scratching pads right beside the couch.
Nothing worked.
And no, I would never declaw them.
Why Do Cats Scratch Furniture?
Before I tried to “fix” it, I wanted to understand it.
Turns out, scratching is normal. It’s how cats:
- Stretch their bodies
- Mark their territory (via scent glands in their paws)
- Sharpen and shed the outer layers of their claws
- Relieve stress or get attention
It’s not bad behavior.
But that doesn’t mean you have to live with shredded furniture either.
What I Tried (And What Failed)
Here’s what we tried before we found anything that worked:
- Citrus sprays – made the room smell like fake oranges. Cats didn’t care.
- Furniture covers – ugly, kept slipping off
- Scratching posts – they ignored them, even when placed beside the couch
- Aluminum foil trick – looked ridiculous, lasted a day
- Double-sided tape – stuck to everything but the cats
Every solution felt like a band-aid.
What Actually Helped Stop the Scratching
Eventually, I made peace with one truth: if I wanted them to stop scratching my stuff, I had to give them something better to scratch.
Here’s what helped the most:
Sturdy Vertical Scratching Post (That Doesn’t Tip) – works, but very UGLY.
Cats like resistance.
We bought the SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post — it’s tall, sturdy, and covered in sisal. They actually use it. And it hasn’t fallen once.
đź›’ Check it on Amazon
(affiliate link)
Horizontal Cardboard Scratchers (Rotated Often) – kind of works, till they get bored, or, find being tricked…
Phoebe prefers flat scratchers.
We keep one near the couch and switch it out every 2–3 weeks. If it smells new, she’s more likely to use it.
đź›’ Frisco Cat Scratcher (2-Pack)
(affiliate link)
Feliway Spray (for Stress)
When things got tense (after a move, or during renovations), they scratched more.
Spraying Feliway (synthetic calming pheromone) on the post helped redirect them without punishment.
đź›’ Feliway Classic Calming Spray
(affiliate link)
Rewarding Good Scratching
Now I keep treats near the scratchers. If I see them using the post, I reward them.
No scolding. No “bad kitty.” Just positive reinforcement.
If You’re Struggling Too
I get it.
It’s frustrating. It’s expensive. It makes you question everything — even if you’re a good cat parent.
But the truth is, scratching is instinctual.
You can’t stop it.
You can only redirect it — with patience, the right tools, and a sense of humor when your couch becomes “vintage.”
Final Thoughts
Cats don’t scratch out of spite.
They scratch because it’s in their nature.
If you’re struggling with shredded furniture, don’t give up.
Try different textures. Rotate posts. Spray calming scents.
And most importantly, observe. Your cat will show you what they like — you just have to notice.
Our couch will never be perfect again.
But I love this messy, cat-filled home.
Claw marks and all.