Scratching is a normal and important behaviour for cats, but when it’s your furniture on the receiving end, it can be frustrating. While it might seem like bad behaviour, scratching helps cats stay healthy and express themselves. By understanding why cats scratch and offering better options, you can protect your home and support your cat’s wellbeing.
Scratching is a natural and necessary behaviour for cats, but when it leads to damage around the home, it can create tension between cats and their guardians. It’s one of the most common behaviour concerns reported by guardians with estimates ranging from 5.4% - 84% of owners identifying scratching as an issue.
Repeated damage to furniture or belongings can cause frustration, resentment, or even punishment, all of which can harm the bond between cat and owner. Seeing the behaviour as "naughty" or deliberate, can lead to misunderstandings about your cat’s needs.
Over time, this can reduce the level of affection, patience, and care the cat receives, affecting their overall welfare. That’s why it’s so important to approach scratching as a communication and wellbeing issue – not just a nuisance – to protect both your relationship and your cat’s happiness.
The scale of the issue in New Zealand
Cats remain New Zealand's most popular companion animal, with approximately 1.26 million living in Kiwi homes. According to the 2024 Companion Animals New Zealand Pet Data Report, an estimated 40% of New Zealand households have at least one cat, well above the global average.
With such widespread cat ownership, furniture scratching represents a common challenge for hundreds of thousands of New Zealand homes. The average cost of replacing or repairing scratched furniture can range from $200 for minor repairs to several thousand dollars for complete replacement of damaged items.
The science behind scratching
Cats don't scratch just to sharpen their claws, though that’s one part of it. Scratching serves several important purposes:
Claw maintenance – It removes old claw sheaths to reveal newer, sharper claws.
Communication – Scratching leaves both visible marks and scent from glands in the paws, acting as territorial signals.
Stress relief – A 2024 international research project found increased scratching in response to stress.
Physical exercise – The stretching motion keeps muscles toned.
Positive emotion expression - A recent study found cats often scratch in areas linked with rest or positive human interaction.
Because scratching is so beneficial, cats need to be able to do it. Our goal isn’t to stop it, but to redirect it to appropriate surfaces.
A recent study of over 2,500 cat guardians in the United States and Canada found fewer reports of unwanted scratching for cat owners with older cats, and for those that provide enrichment items (e.g., sisal rope), outdoor access, positive reinforcement training, and restricted access to items they did not want scratched.
Our goal as responsible guardians isn't to stop scratching entirely, but rather to redirect it to appropriate surfaces.
Scratching can be stress related too
A 2025 study from the University of Lincoln (UK) challenges the idea that scratching at home is always linked to stress. Researchers found that cats who scratched more often were usually younger, more playful, and often scratched in comfortable spots, like near soft furniture, sleeping areas, or where they interact positively with their owners. This confirms what we outlined above; that scratching might not just be about stress – it could also be a sign that your cat feels happy and relaxed in their environment.
That said, stress can influence scratching in some cats. A study of over 1,200 cat owners identified several contributing factors to unwanted scratching:
Environmental stressors – Homes with children saw higher scratching, likely due to noise and unpredictability.
Personality traits – Cats described as reactive, showing aggressive or disruptive behaviours (as interpreted by the guardian), scratched more.
Activity levels – Active or nocturnal cats tended to scratch more.
Play duration – Long, unresolved play sessions could increase stress and scratching.
Effective Management Strategies
There are various ways to manage scratching so that it is not a problem:
Provide appropriate scratching alternatives
Scratch posts
Cardboard or sisal mats
Sturdy carpeted platforms
Smart placement
Position near existing scratching spots
Place near rest areas
Move slowly if relocating (a few inches a day)
Making scratch surfaces appealing
Lightly scratch new surfaces to make them appealing.
Rub scent from old spots onto new posts.
Try catnip to attract interest (if your cat responds to it)
Environmental management
Provide hiding places and perches
Provide satisfying play sessions
Keep routines calm and consistent, especially around children
Protect furniture
This probably seems obvious! But when implementing furniture protection strategies, always ensure alternative scratching surfaces are available so the behaviour is redirected:
Use covers, throws or blankets to protect furniture
Try double-sided tape on scratched spots
Use corner protectors that also work as scratchers
Keep what works
Cats prefer old, well-used scratch posts with their scent:
Replace only if broken and keep familiar parts if you can
Place the new post in the same spot to help your cat adjust
Positive reinforcement
By learning to understand how your cat enjoys being rewarded, you can reward the right behaviour immediately. As soon as your cat uses a scratching post or pad:
Give a tasty treat
Use verbal praise (e.g., “Good cat or kitty!”)
Offer a gentle stroke or chin rub, if your cat enjoys touch
Consistency is key!
What to avoid
Remember that patience and consistency are key. Cats can be encouraged to use appropriate scratching surfaces, but this often requires time and the right approach.
It's important to emphasise that punishment is never effective for managing scratching behaviour. Harsh responses can cause or increase any underlying stress and anxiety, potentially worsening the problem. It also important to note that declawing is illegal in New Zealand because this sort of cosmetic procedure compromises feline welfare.
Final thoughts
Scratching is an essential feline behaviour that serves multiple important functions. By understanding the science behind why cats scratch and implementing the strategies outlined above, cat guardians can successfully manage this behaviour while ensuring their cats' physical and psychological needs are met.
For further advice on feline behaviour management, contact your veterinarian or a qualified CANZ accredited feline behaviourist - https://www.companionanimals.nz/canzaccreditation
Key References:
Braggs, J. and Mills, D.S. (2025) Unwanted feline scratching in the home: A re-examination of its relationship with stress and marking, Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci, Volume 287
Cisneros, A., Litwin, D., Niel, L., & Stellato, A. C. (2022). Unwanted Scratching Behavior in Cats: Influence of Management Strategies and Cat and Owner Characteristics. Animals : 12(19), 2551.
Heidenberger E. (1997 ) Housing conditions and behavioural problems of indoor cats as assessed by their owners. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.; 52:345–364.
Moesta A., Keys D., Crowell-Davis S. (2018) Survey of cat owners on features of, and preventative measures for, feline scratching of inappropriate objects: A pilot study. J. Feline Med. Surg. 20:891–899.