Cat s find scratching to be a normal, natural, pleasurable behavior. Purchase a good, sturdy scratching post and train your cat to use it. You can make the post more fun than your furniture by using catnip or toy mice. Praise your cat and stroke them when they use the scratching post. You can make the post more attractive and accessible to them by placing it near their food, water or sleeping place.
Cats love heights so try placing the post in a high, accessible area as well.
Discourage your cat from scratching the furniture by spraying a fine mist of water on them when they try to scratch the furniture, or by clapping your hands or making a loud, distracting noise. Then pick the cat up and take them to their scratching post and get them to use it by pushing their claws against the post. If you have a cat that stubbornly insists on scratching your favorite couch, you can discourage him with double sided tape, aluminum foil or a piece of plywood or clear hard plastic. Please indicate if you are under the age of 18. If you have a found a stray animal, please read our Found a Stray section for resources on how to place this animal.