Why Do Cats Scratch Carpet and Furniture?

Cats scratch carpet and furniture because scratching is normal cat behavior. International Cat Care names three jobs for it: keeping claws healthy, working the muscles of the front legs and spine, and marking territory. When a cat has no attractive scratching post or scratching area indoors, International Cat Care says, damage will likely land on furniture, wallpaper, or carpet.

What Scratching Does for a Cat

There are several reasons why cats scratch, and the sources name most of them. Start with the claws. International Cat Care says cats drag their front claws downward, called stropping, and that this loosens and removes the outer keratin husk of each claw and reveals sharp new surfaces underneath. Cornell describes the covering that comes off as a translucent sheath, and VCA says scratching serves to shorten and condition the claws. International Cat Care says kittens start to scratch from around 5 weeks of age.

Video: “Cat Scratching Behavior Explained : Why Do Cats Scratch ?” from the channel Kitty County.

The second job is a message. International Cat Care says glands between a cat's pads mix a chemical message of pheromones and odors, and the message is left on a surface when the claws scrape down it. The mark, the discarded claw husks, and the smell together give other cats a strong visual, chemical, and scent message. VCA says marking territory, by sight and by the scent of the foot pads, is perhaps the most important reason cats scratch. Cornell adds that the scratch marks and claw sheaths left behind may also be displays of confidence, and International Cat Care says cats often scratch vigorously in front of their people or other cats as a sign of territorial confidence.

Cats still scratch indoors for these reasons. International Cat Care says they scratch to keep their claws in good condition and during exploration and play. It also says the scent left behind while scratching may give the cat a feeling of enhanced physical safety and security. Read more about cat play.

Why Some Cats Choose Carpet

International Cat Care says each cat has preferences for the type of surface it likes to scratch, and for scratching on a vertical or a horizontal surface. Cats choose between surfaces, and a carpet's texture is one of them. International Cat Care publishes cat advice for pet parents.

Cornell says to observe the cat carefully to learn whether it goes for carpets, drapes, wood, or some other surface, and whether it scratches vertically with its paws stretched out above its head or on horizontal surfaces. Cornell says a cat that likes scratching sideways on a carpet may take more readily to a flattened cardboard box or a log on its side. VCA says many cats prefer a loosely woven material where the claws can hook and tear, and that carpet may be an acceptable post covering if it is combed first so there are no tight loops.

Why Cats Scratch Furniture

VCA says cats that live mostly or only indoors may start to scratch furniture, walls, or doors, or to climb and hang from the drapes. International Cat Care says that even when a cat's amount of scratching is normal, damage to furniture, wallpaper, or carpet will likely follow if no attractive posts or areas are provided indoors. Cornell says cats that scratch a favorite sofa or drapes are not on a mission to destroy the home but want to satisfy certain needs, and it calls the idea that cats are “out for revenge” a common misconception.

Wood gets scratched too. When wooden furniture such as the legs of a table, doorframes, or bannisters have been damaged, International Cat Care says to wash them with unscented soapy water and then spray synthetic feline pheromone on the same spots. It says severely scratched surfaces may need to be discarded, and that a post or scratching panel made of wood can be placed near the damaged area.

Stress and Anxiety

Scratching can be tied to stress and anxiety. International Cat Care says that if the scratching is widespread through the home, particularly around doorways and windows, the cat is likely signalling a general sense of insecurity, and that widespread scratching in a multi-cat household or a densely cat-populated territory may be anxiety-related. VCA says some cats increase territorial marking, which includes scratching and urine marking, in situations of anxiety or conflict. It says scratching of new areas may be related to anxiety, and that the problem is sometimes related to a change in the household such as a new cat arriving, a move, or a change in the family's schedule.

Boredom and Attention

Cornell says boredom may contribute to destructive behavior, a group of problems that includes scratching, and that time spent actively playing with a cat is best. International Cat Care says scratching can also turn into attention-seeking behavior when a cat has learned that the behavior is positively reinforced.

How To Redirect the Scratching

Cornell says scratching is an innate behavior, like grooming or burying waste, so it can be difficult to stop, but cats can be taught to scratch on more appropriate objects such as scratching posts.

Pick a Post That Fits the Cat

For height, International Cat Care says a post should be as tall as the cat standing on its hind legs in a full stretched scratching position. Cornell gives the same height for the post and says it should be sturdy enough not to topple over during use. International Cat Care adds that some scratching products are too lightweight, or cannot be fixed to a rigid surface, and cats may not like them because they do not give enough resistance and can move during use.

For material, Cornell says a carpet-covered post is a good choice for cats that scratch carpets, and a post covered in sisal or another rope-like material suits cats that like couches and other nubby surfaces. For shape, Cornell says the post should match the cat's preferred orientation. VCA says some cats prefer a post with a corner so two sides can be scratched at once, and others prefer a horizontal post. International Cat Care says kittens and senior cats might prefer softer surfaces such as large angled or horizontal scratchers made from cardboard, which give less resistance. In a home with more than one cat, it recommends one post per cat plus one more for choice, in different locations.

Put It Where the Cat Already Scratches

Cornell says to place the post next to an area the cat likes to scratch and gradually move it to a location of your choice, and to provide a post near each spot if the cat scratches in several. VCA says the best location is where the cat has already chosen to scratch, although that is not always the most practical, and that at least one post should be close to the cat's sleeping quarters. International Cat Care says cats often scratch after sleep, so it may help to place the post near the cat's favorite bed. VCA says cats use posts for marking and stretching as well as sharpening claws, which is why it advises setting up a scratching area in a prominent area. Read more about a scratching area.

To get the cat to use it, Cornell says to take the cat to the new post and reward it with treats, strokes, and praise, and to place treats or catnip on or around the post. International Cat Care suggests playing a predatory-style game with a wand toy around the base of the post. Cornell says a ragged, worn post means it is well used and doing its job. Read more about how to get a cat to use scratching posts. Read more about cat proofing your home.

Video: “How to STOP My CAT SCRATCHING the FURNITURE (Causes and Solutions)” from the channel AnimalWised.

Make the Old Spot Less Appealing

Cornell says the only guaranteed way to stop a cat from scratching a given area is to restrict access, and that blankets, sheets of plastic, or double-sided tape laid over an item may also discourage scratching. International Cat Care says to cover the affected area with a thick, heavy blanket or one-sided sticky plastic film, which protects the surface and makes it less attractive to scratch. VCA names a less appealing covering as the simplest approach: plastic, a loosely draped piece of material, aluminum foil, or double-sided tape.

Scent plays a part. Cornell says cats are more likely to scratch again where they already left their scent, and it suggests an odor neutralizer to deodorize those areas. International Cat Care says a synthetic feline pheromone used on areas where the cat has scratched may help the cat feel more secure.

Claw Trims and Nail Caps

Cornell says regularly trimming a cat's nails can minimize scratching damage, and that plastic nail caps glued over the claws should only be applied to cats that allow their paws to be handled, with the caps replaced every six to 12 weeks. The Feline Veterinary Medical Association lists regular claw trimming and temporary synthetic nail caps among the alternatives to declawing. International Cat Care says claw trimming may help prevent immediate damage but does not meet the cat's needs, that routine trimming is not advisable, and that senior cats may need regular trims. It does not recommend nail caps because they can be very distressing for a cat.

What About Declawing?

The Feline Veterinary Medical Association, which announced on September 27, 2024 that it is the new name of the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP), says in its 2017 position statement that it “strongly opposes declawing (onychectomy) as an elective procedure.” The statement says declawing is an amputation of the third phalanx. Cornell says declawing will not curb a cat's desire to scratch, but will prevent the damage that comes from it. Read more about facts about declawing cats.

Cat Scratching FAQ

Can a cat be trained to stop scratching altogether?

No. International Cat Care says scratching is normal and necessary for cats, so a pet parent will not be able to stop it, and should not try. VCA says it is impractical and unfair to expect cats to stop scratching entirely, and that it should be possible to direct the scratching to appropriate areas indoors.

Will a carpet-covered scratching post make my cat scratch more carpet?

There is no evidence of that, according to International Cat Care. It says many commercial posts are covered with carpet and that there is “no evidence that your cat’s scratching habits will move to other carpeted areas within your home once the post is used regularly.”

How do I stop my cat scratching the carpet on the stairs?

Offer an alternative surface next to the stairs. International Cat Care says many cats target the lower step and scratch horizontally while lying down, and that sections of old or sample carpet, or large objects covered with carpet, can be placed near the stairs as an alternative surface.

Should I punish my cat for scratching the carpet?

No. International Cat Care says a cat should never be punished, because punishing a natural behavior is very confusing for the cat, and punishment adds to the distress of a cat that scratches from anxiety. Cornell says punishment only teaches a cat to fear you and may lead to aggression, and VCA says all forms of physical punishment should be avoided.

Sources

• International Cat Care, Scratching on furniture and carpets
• International Cat Care, Trimming your cat’s claws
• Cornell Feline Health Center, Feline Behavior Problems: Destructive Behavior
• VCA Animal Hospitals, Cat Behavior Problems - Scratching Behavior
• Feline Veterinary Medical Association, 2017 Declawing position statement
• Feline Veterinary Medical Association, Introducing the Feline Veterinary Medical Association (FelineVMA), September 27, 2024