Cat Health
Why Is My Cat Scratching Furniture UK?
By Kaiser Khan, EditorPublished Last updated 2 min read
Quick answer
Scratching is normal cat behaviour — not spite. Cats scratch to maintain claws, stretch, and mark territory. Provide tall, stable scratching posts near favoured furniture, and never punish. Declawing is illegal in the UK. Excessive scratching with hair loss needs a vet check for fleas or allergies.
Key takeaways
- Scratching is normal — cats scratch to sharpen claws, stretch muscles, mark territory with scent glands in paws, and relieve stress. It is not spite or naughtiness.
- Provide attractive scratching posts near favoured spots, use catnip to encourage use, and cover furniture temporarily with throws. Never punish scratching — redirect to appropriate surfaces.
- Declawing (onychectomy) is illegal in the UK under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. It is considered mutilation. Use scratching posts, regular nail trims, and environmental enrichment instead.
A wider perspective: the dog and cat rescue appeal from the non-profit World Animal Rescue Network.
Why cats scratch
Scratching serves essential functions:
- Claw maintenance — removes old claw sheath layers
- Stretching — works shoulder and back muscles
- Scent marking — paw glands deposit scent on surfaces
- Stress relief — scratching increases in anxious cats
Vertical surfaces like sofa arms mimic tree trunks — natural scratching targets.
What works (and what does not)
Effective:
- Multiple scratching posts — sisal, cardboard, and carpet textures; tall enough for a full stretch
- Placement — next to furniture currently being scratched
- Catnip or treats — reward post use
- Feliway diffusers — may reduce stress-related scratching
- Regular nail trims — blunts claws without removing them
Ineffective or harmful:
- Punishment — increases anxiety and hiding
- Declawing — illegal in the UK
- Squirting water — damages trust
When scratching suggests a problem
Book a vet appointment if scratching is:
- Intense and localised — one body area repeatedly
- Paired with hair loss, redness, or broken skin
- Suddenly increased alongside behaviour change
Fleas, flea allergy, and skin infections are common medical causes.
Protecting furniture meanwhile
- Use throws or double-sided tape on favoured spots temporarily
- Trim nails every few weeks
- Rotate toys and enrichment to reduce boredom scratching
Sources & further reading
This guide draws on the publicly available UK advice listed below. Follow the links for the relevant guidance or the organisation's broader care resources.
PETHEALTH+ is independent. These organisations do not sponsor, approve, or partner with this website. Editorial sources and further reading (last updated 2026-07-19).
Continue exploring
Follow the connections between guides to explore related care and conditions.
Related guides
Also see symptoms, symptom checker, and poison guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why do cats scratch furniture?
- Scratching is normal — cats scratch to sharpen claws, stretch muscles, mark territory with scent glands in paws, and relieve stress. It is not spite or naughtiness.
- How do I stop my cat scratching the sofa?
- Provide attractive scratching posts near favoured spots, use catnip to encourage use, and cover furniture temporarily with throws. Never punish scratching — redirect to appropriate surfaces.
- Should I declaw my cat?
- Declawing (onychectomy) is illegal in the UK under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. It is considered mutilation. Use scratching posts, regular nail trims, and environmental enrichment instead.
- When is excessive scratching a health problem?
- Scratching one area repeatedly, hair loss, or broken skin may indicate fleas, allergies, or skin infection. Book a vet check if scratching is intense or localised.