What Does it Mean When My Cats Scratch My Sofa?

Although thought by some to be a behavioral problem, cats that scratch objects are generally doing it for a specific reason. The purpose can be for physical maintenance or as a form of communication to other cats or even its human masters who reside in the house. Precautions, such as giving the cats something else to scratch or maintaining certain grooming and household routines for the cats, can lessen or eliminate the problem.

  1. Refreshing Its Claws

    • Set up a commercial scratching post to distract the cat from the sofa.

      The main reason that a cat claws furniture is because it is trying to refresh its claws. Cat claws develop an outer sheath that eventually dies as new claws begin to form. Scratching allows the cat to break the outer covering of the nail and reveal the new claws. Preventing this destruction of your sofa requires setting up a scratching post or pad near the area where the cat frequently scratches. Clipping its nails frequently (once or twice per month) will also eliminate the need to refresh its claws on your sofa.

    Marking Its Territory

    • On the pads of a cat's feet are scent glands that are activated when it scratches something. Scratching an object, such as a sofa, leaves both a scent and visual marker to let other cats know that it is around and this territory belongs to it, whether there are other cats around or not. Another cat venturing near the sofa will pick up on the smell and sight cues and know that it should move to another spot ̵2; this is why you typically don't see more than one cat scratching in the same area and why you may only have one cat use a scratching post even though there are other posts in the home.

    Being Playful

    • A cat likes to scratch when it is feeling playful or when it feels a need to stretch out its muscles. To do that, it needs to dig its claws deeply into something, such as furniture. When a cat is playing ̵2; especially with other cats ̵2; it will sometimes paw at the floor or furniture prior to leaping at or chasing another cat, using its claws in the process. Spray a mixture of citrus juice (such as lemon or orange) and water on the surface of the sofa to help prevent the cat from using your sofa as a launching pad.

    Expressing Displeasure

    • Your cat may be scratching the sofa is to express displeasure about something. Perhaps it was disciplined earlier in the day and squirted with a water bottle. It might have decided to communicate its feelings by scratching the sofa as a form of frustration. Another sign may be if the litter box has not been cleaned in a while. The cat may actually be scratching the sofa in an attempt to relieve itself. Ensure that the litter box is cleaned daily for one cat (more often for multiple cats in the household). Sometimes this simple task can solve that problem.