One of the most common complaints among cat owners is that their cats scratch and destroy the furniture, rugs and curtains. Cat owners certainly don’t want to give up their cats, but they also don’t want to face the expense of constant reupholstering or buying new furnishings.
My own cat’s occasional clawing of one particular love seat recently escalated to a full-fledged obsession. Soon there would be nothing left of the love seat except a wooden frame with metal springs, surrounded by piles of threads and feather stuffing. This photo doesn’t need to be enlarged to appreciate the shabby cat-distressed threads radiating in all directions.
I think we cat owners need something more effective than giving the cat the evil eye, which hadn’t worked with my cat when he scratched the furniture. It’s always easier to outwit and correct undesirable pet behaviors if you understand the reasons for them. Cats scratch because:
It’s fun.
It works off energy and cat stress, and relieves boredom.
It stretches their bodies, feet and claws.
It helps them to mark their territory by leaving a scent from the scent glands on their paws as well as a visual marker.
It helps them remove the worn and uneven outer layer of their claws.
There is a tricky issue for cat owners to consider: does your own behavioral reaction unwittingly reward your cat for scratching the furniture? If, when your cat scratches, you encourage him to go outside, pick him up, or try to distract him with food, your cat will learn to scratch if he wants to go out, be picked up, or fed. If you yell at him or punish him, you have provided negative attention, which your cat prefers to no attention at all. Rewarding any behavior, including bad behavior, increases its frequency. You may be participating unknowingly in perpetuating or increasing the undesirable behavior.
You will undoubtedly begin to resent your cat for ruining your furniture. You now have all the makings of destroyed furniture and a dysfunctional relationship with your cat.
Our society doesn’t need more shabby sofas cluttering up landfills or more dysfunctional relationships, but there are many steps you can take to encourage your cat to scratch a more acceptable object than your precious family heirloom needlepoint cushions, upholstered furniture, curtains, etc.
Accept that scratching and clawing objects is a normal cat behavior, so while it can’t be eliminated, it can be re-directed toward something more appropriate than your vintage settee or handmade hooked rug.
Determine your cat’s scratching preferences. Does he like vertical, horizontal or slanted surfaces? Does he prefer course textures like cane and sisal, or soft and carpeted ones?
Acquire scratching substitutes that are similar to what he likes. My cat likes variety, so we needed a few different types, such as horizontal sisal mats and vertical carpeted posts. Make sure they are sturdy, won’t wobble or move around, and are large enough for the cat to really stretch.
Put the new cat scratching posts or mats close to the precious objects from which you’re trying to wean him. Gradually, the appropriate ones can be moved to a better location.
Make the new cat scratching mats or posts more alluring to the cat by hanging toys from the top and by sprinkling catnip on them. When the cat starts using the posts or mats the catnip will fade and be replaced by the cat’s own special scent from the glands in his paws.
Make the inappropriate objects unreachable by moving them to an inaccessible location or closing the doors. You can pretend it’s a museum room.
Make inappropriate objects downright repulsive. Attach potpourri bags or cotton balls soaked in an aversive odor. I used Tiger Balm, which repelled my cat as well as most of my family members.
Make the inappropriate objects less appealing. Cover the furniture with double-sided contact paper or sticky tape. My kids' fears they would have to peel our cat off the contact paper were unfounded. The cat didn't like the sticky feel of the contact paper and avoided it, but the adhesive is not strong enough to capture your cat like flypaper or wax anyone's legs.
Reward your cat with petting, affection, kind words and kitty treats whenever he uses a scratching post.
Here's what to avoid with your cat:
Do not have your cat declawed. It renders the cat helpless if he is outside. It can cause the cat intense pain during the recovery from declawing. It will not change his natural desire to scratch, and will instead cause him to engage in other compensatory behaviors which may be far more intolerable than scratching.
Do not punish your cat. Punishment is not effective because scratching is instinctual for cats. Instead, punishment will make your cat fearful or aggressive and ruin your relationship.
Do not drag your cat’s claws on the scratching post or mat. This may be painful and frightening for the cat and will cause him to avoid it.
I had success with the combination of contact paper covered sofas, tiger balm, and new cat scratching objects. My family agreed the joys of cat companionship are well worth the temporary inconveniences of contact papered sofas and the mixed odors of Tiger Balm and catnip. We welcome any additional suggestions you may have!
The article and photos were originally published as the January 5 and 6, 2009 posts for the www.PetStress.com/Blog by Cynthia Porter, PetStress.com’s contributing editor and lead blogger.
Home - Cats
Cats can feel stressed by many situations in your home because they don't like change. You can reduce your cat's stress by being sensitive to his need for few changes and a predictable schedule. Cats can feel stressed by visitors, other animals, new pets in your house (especially other cats), drinking water that’s not fresh, strange cats lurking around outside, litter boxes that aren’t clean, and food bowls that remain empty for more than an hour or so.
You can help your cat tolerate stressful events such as visitors and other new pets by introducing them slowly and providing separate hiding places for your cat. And you can make your cat happy by keeping food and water bowls clean and filled, and keeping litter boxes clean.
While cats are generally more particular than dogs, they can be left alone at home for longer periods. But cats will need stimulation if you are planning on leaving them on their own for more than a few hours. Toys, climbing towers
and special toys that dispense food are all options for keeping your cat entertained while you are out. If there aren’t a lot of neighboring cats that wander by your home, a perch for your cat near a picture window can be stimulating and fun for an indoor cat.
Paying attention to your cat after a long day will be satisfying for both of you. If you leave your cat home alone all day, be sure to schedule some time when you return that’s dedicated just for him. Whether you play with or groom your cat he will appreciate the attention.
piles of threads and feather stuffing. This photo doesn’t need to be enlarged to appreciate the shabby cat-distressed threads radiating in all directions. 
preferences. Does he like vertical, horizontal or slanted surfaces? Does he prefer course textures like cane and sisal, or soft and carpeted ones?
My kids' fears they would have to peel our cat off the contact paper were unfounded. The cat didn't like the sticky feel of the contact paper and avoided it, but the adhesive is not strong enough to capture your cat like flypaper or wax anyone's legs. 
