Cat-Care 
Lead intro Cats scratch — it’s natural, healthy and often targeted at couches. This guide focuses on easy, humane steps to redirect scratching to good surfaces, choose scratcher materials, and arrange them for success. Readable for new owners and designed to be actionable in two weeks.
One sentence answer Provide attractive alternatives, protect high-value items, and meet your cat’s daily need to scratch and climb; consistent redirection and placement beat punishment.
Core principles
- Respect behavior: scratching is normal and keeps nails healthy.
- Offer choices: provide multiple scratcher materials and orientations.
- Location matters: place scratchers where cats already scratch or rest.
- Positive redirection: reward use, avoid yelling or punishment.
- Safety first: secure tall posts and avoid toxin-coated repellents.
New owner 14 day checklist Day 1–2: Inspect and protect
- Walk each room and note current scratch sites. Use temporary covers (folded blankets, slipcovers) on targeted furniture to reduce attraction.
- Place one sturdy vertical and one horizontal scratcher near the worst spot.
Day 3–6: Add options and scent
- Introduce 2–4 scratchers with varied materials: corrugated cardboard, sisal rope, and carpet. Cats prefer textures — offer at least one vertical post and one flat board.
- Use cat-safe catnip or pheromone spray lightly on new scratchers to encourage investigation.
Day 7–9: Train and reward
- Play near the scratchers to create movement-linked context: play, then offer a short session that ends at the scratcher.
- When the cat uses a scratcher, offer a treat or praise within seconds. Replace rewards with pets or play over time.
Day 10–12: Refine placement
- If furniture is still targeted, move a scratcher directly in front of that item for a few days, then gradually shift to the permanent location.
- Secure tall scratchers to prevent tipping. Short or flimsy posts are often rejected.
Day 13–14: Routine and monitoring
- Keep a visible rotation: move or swap scratchers weekly to maintain novelty.
- Log daily notes for two weeks: food intake, litter habits, scratcher use, and any vocal or hiding behavior. Share patterns with your vet if needed.
- If persistent destructive scratching continues despite good options, consult a behavior-savvy vet or certified cat behaviorist.
Common mistakes and fixes
- Mistake: Punishing a cat → Fix: Use redirection and rewards instead.
- Mistake: One scratcher type → Fix: Offer multiple textures and orientations.
- Mistake: Scratchers in closets → Fix: Place them in living areas and near sleeping spots.
- Mistake: Flimsy posts → Fix: Choose stable, tall posts tied to floors or walls.
- Mistake: Ignoring play needs → Fix: Add daily play sessions to reduce boredom-driven scratching.
When to consult a vet Seek professional help if your cat shows sudden behavior change, aggression, hiding, stops eating for >24 hours, vomits or has diarrhea >24 hours, shows severe overgrooming or bleeding from nail areas, or is a very young or senior cat with new problems.
Disclaimer This is general guidance, not medical advice; contact your veterinarian for concerns or emergencies.
Data snapshot
- Most cats scratch daily to maintain nail health.
- Vertical and horizontal options both matter for different cats.
- Annual wellness checks help identify stress-related behavior changes.
Terms simplified
- Enrichment: Activities fulfilling hunting and play instincts.
- Pheromone spray: Synthetic scent to reduce stress, not a cure.
- Sisal: Durable fiber many cats enjoy for digging with claws.
Micro case box Case 1: Milo loves the armchair. After moving a tall sisal post beside the arm and rewarding Milo five times, the chair was spared within a week. Case 2: Luna ignored a post until it was swapped from carpet to corrugated cardboard and scented with catnip; she used it immediately.
Printable checklist (action verbs)
- Inspect current scratch sites
- Cover high-value furniture temporarily
- Place vertical and horizontal scratchers
- Offer varied textures daily
- Use cat-safe scent to attract
- Play near scratchers before meals
- Reward scratcher use promptly
- Secure tall posts to prevent tipping
- Rotate and replace worn scratchers
- Log behavior and litter habits
- Consult vet if problems persist
Room zone guide
- Zone A Quiet rest area
- Zone B Food water away from litter
- Zone C Litter in low traffic corner
- Zone D Vertical perches and scratchers
Summary Preventing destructive scratching depends on meeting a cat’s natural needs with the right scratcher materials and smart placement, plus consistent positive reinforcement. Start with visible, stable options like sisal and corrugated boards near favorite spots, add daily play, and follow the 14 day checklist to build good habits; seek professional help if problems persist. Scratching redirected early often becomes a long-term, low-stress solution.