Study finds cats don’t destroy your furniture for fun – there’s a concerning reason behind the scratching behavior

Scratching is a completely natural behavior for cats, but that doesn’t make it any less frustrating when it ruins your furniture. Dr. Andrea Sanchez, a veterinarian at Banfield Pet Hospital, explains that cats scratch to stretch, communicate, condition their claws, and mark their territory. While scratching may seem like a bad habit, it actually serves important physical and emotional functions, as reported by Business Insider. A study from 2024 has offered fresh insight into what really drives cats to scratch excessively, and how you might be able to reduce it at home.

Researchers in France surveyed owners of 1,211 cats, all of whom reported unwanted scratching. The cat owners were asked questions via email about their pet’s daily routine, personality, activity levels, and home environment. The study found that cats with more aggressive or disruptive personalities, as well as those especially playful or active at night, were more likely to scratch. But personality wasn’t the only factor. “One noteworthy finding is the influence of the presence of a child at home on the high level of scratching behavior,” the researchers wrote in their report, published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science.

Cats in homes with children tended to scratch more, likely due to increased stress. While the researchers didn’t confirm if younger children cause more stress than older ones, or whether it makes a difference if the cat or child was there first, they made it clear that children can be a behavioral trigger. This isn't the first time experts have pointed to kids as a possible stressor for cats, and it adds to the growing understanding that a cat’s home life can strongly affect its behavior.

Luckily, there are ways to manage unwanted scratching. According to a PetMD post, to stop your cat from scratching furniture, try using citrus-based sprays, as most cats don’t like the smell. Double-sided tape placed on furniture can also discourage scratching without causing harm. Covering furniture with blankets or plastic sheets is another option. Cleaning the scratched areas with odor-neutralizing products helps too, since cats often return to spots marked with their scent. Keeping your cat’s nails trimmed and using claw caps can reduce damage, but they won’t stop the behavior entirely. It’s still important to give your cat proper scratching outlets, like scratching posts, to keep them happy and your furniture safe. Furthermore, your feline may be aggressively scratching due to high anxiety. Be sure to check on this behavior and create a calm environment that can help reduce anxiety. 

The Veterinary Science study also suggested that scratching posts do help, but only when placed in the right locations. Danie “DQ” Quagliozzi, cat behavior consultant and owner of Go Cat Go!, told the media outlet that the key is to observe how your cat scratches. If they scratch vertical surfaces like couches, use a vertical post; if they prefer carpets, a flat pad might work better. Above all, the researchers emphasized that every cat is different, and understanding your cat’s personality and environment is the first step to protecting your furniture and keeping your feline happy.