Why Does My Cat Scratch the Furniture? NZ Guide to Redirecting It
Cats scratch furniture for normal, healthy reasons. Why they do it and how to redirect scratching onto a post — without punishment. NZ owner's guide.
The quick answer: scratching is a normal, healthy, necessary cat behaviour — not naughtiness or spite. Cats scratch to maintain their claws, stretch their muscles, and mark territory with scent and visible marks. You can't (and shouldn't) stop it; the goal is to redirect it onto something better than your couch. Declawing is not the answer — it's an amputation and is not part of responsible cat care in New Zealand.
Why cats scratch
- Claw care — sheds the outer nail husk and keeps claws healthy.
- Stretching — a full-body stretch through the shoulders and back.
- Marking — paws have scent glands; scratch marks are both a scent and a visual "I was here".
- Feeling good — it's satisfying and helps cats de-stress.
So a scratching cat is a normal cat. The job is to give it the *right* target.
How to redirect it
1. Provide the right posts. Offer both tall, sturdy vertical posts (tall enough for a full stretch and stable enough not to wobble) and horizontal scratchers (cardboard or sisal mats) — cats have preferences. A cat tree covers both. 2. Put them where it matters. Place a post right next to the furniture they target, and near sleeping spots (cats love to scratch after waking). 3. Make the post the better option. Use sisal rope or cardboard (textures cats love), and make it appealing with catnip or play around it. Reward your cat for using it. 4. Make the furniture boring. Temporarily cover targeted spots with double-sided sticky tape or a throw, or use a feline pheromone product. Once the cat prefers the post, remove the deterrents. 5. Keep claws trimmed. Regular trims reduce damage (and snagging).
What NOT to do
- Don't punish, yell or use water sprays — it causes fear and stress and doesn't teach where to scratch. Stressed cats often scratch *more*.
- Don't declaw. It removes the last bone of each toe, causes pain and long-term problems, and is rejected by NZ welfare and veterinary best practice.
When to take note
A sudden surge in scratching, or scratching paired with spraying/urine marking, often signals stress (a new pet, baby, move, or neighbourhood cat). Address the stressor and add enrichment. If your cat seems anxious or the change is sudden, a vet or feline behaviourist can help. For other body-language cues, see why do cats knead.
Quick takeaways
- Scratching is normal and necessary — redirect it, don't punish it.
- Offer tall vertical posts and horizontal scratchers near the targeted furniture.
- Make the post appealing (sisal, catnip) and the furniture boring (tape/throw).
- Never declaw — it's an amputation, not nail care.
- A sudden spike in scratching can signal stress → add enrichment, see a vet/behaviourist.
Shop related categories at PetMall
Looking for sturdy scratching posts and cat trees in New Zealand? Browse the PetMall cat range for current options and nationwide delivery.
Related reading
References
- VCA Animal Hospitals — Scratching Behavior in Cats: Various Approaches (scratching is normal; redirect onto posts, declawing not supported), checked 2026-07-09: https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/scratching-behavior-in-cats
- International Cat Care — Scratching on furniture and carpets (offer an alternative matching the targeted surface's texture and vertical/horizontal orientation), checked 2026-07-09: https://icatcare.org/articles/scratching-on-furniture-and-carpets
Important notice
*General behaviour information for NZ owners. A sudden change in scratching or marking can have stress or medical causes — see a registered NZ vet.*
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- Cat FoodStart with food that matches your cat's life stage — change brands slowly over 7–10 days to avoid digestive upset.
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