Why your cat scratches the sofa – and how to make him stop for good!

If you’ve ever watched TV’s famous “Cat Whisperer” Jackson Galaxy, you know that while we love feline companionship (okay, most of us), there’s a lot about their needs that simply escapes our understanding. A new study delves deep into the homes of cat owners to find out once and for all why furniture is a favorite target for cat scratching and, more importantly, how we can stop it.

An international team of researchers gathered data from 1,211 French households, investigating everything from the owners' habits to feline behavior. They also measured the frequency and intensity of attacks on sofas and other furniture, and categorized the cats according to their "gifts" for scratching.

The result? There was no major difference between purebred and mixed-breed cats, male or female, or even in terms of weight or body condition.

But... *tchan tchan tchan*... the presence of a small child in the house? That really made all the difference.

According to researchers, children can trigger a stress response in cats, resulting in more frequent and intense scratching.

This is something that previous studies have already shown: living with small children is one of the main reasons why people end up giving up their pets.

“ Although most studies focus on human well-being, our results show that it is essential to consider the quality of life of both humans and cats to create a harmonious environment ,” the scientists emphasize.

Other factors also influence feline destructive behavior, such as nocturnal activity, playfulness and, of course, the cat's personality.

Cats that are more "agitated" and have "aggressive tendencies" are more likely to use their claws on furniture.

And if you think that playing too much is just fun, be careful: long play sessions can end up stressing your cat out, and he may take revenge on your favorite sofa!

“We found that the presence of children, the cat’s personality and its activity levels have a significant impact on scratching behavior,” explains Dr. Yasemin Salgirli Demi̇rbas from Ankara University, one of the study’s authors. Most importantly, the findings could help direct scratchers to suitable materials, such as scratching posts .

Speaking of which, the location of your scratching posts makes all the difference! Placing them in busy areas or near your cat’s favorite resting spots increases the chances that they’ll abandon the couch and head for the scratching post.

It's a simple but efficient strategy.

" We noticed a clear relationship between factors such as the environment and the cats' behavior with the increase in scratching behavior ," Demi̇rbas said. " Especially the presence of children in the home, intense play and nighttime activities are big contributors ."

Of course, you can't send the kids away or completely change your cat's lifestyle, but scientists suggest some practical solutions:

• well-positioned scratching posts ,
• use of pheromones
• and be aware of interactions with children and excessive play.

Short, well-distributed sessions throughout the day, imitating hunting, can help a lot!

Additionally, creating safe, elevated spaces for cats to observe everything, providing opportunities for stimulating play, and understanding the emotional motivations behind scratching behavior are essential steps toward peaceful coexistence and avoiding scratching the couch.

In short: understand your cat, manage the environment and, with a little effort, your sofa can finally have peaceful days!