How to Stop Your Cat From Scratching Your Carpet?

As an enthusiast cat lover, you probably noticed that your furry friend likes scratching various things, not just your sofa or the legs of your wooden desk. Of course, in wilderness cats prefer scratching trees, and as a result most of them develop a vertical scratching behavior. However, not all cats have such ‘classical’ tastes.

If you noticed that your kitty is fervently scratching your carpets and rugs, it means that she has horizontal scratching preferences. You might say – ‘So what, vertical or horizontal, she’s still damaging my belongings!’  Actually, there is a big difference. Let’s assume that your kitty prefers to scratch horizontally. As a responsible cat owner, you buy her a cat scratching post – a vertical model. After a few days, you’ll be surprised (maybe even angry) that your pet is not using it! Despite all your training efforts (and sometimes threats) she is still scratching your carpet!

Unfortunately, such a scenario is extremely common, resulting in frustration both for you and your cat. That’s why it’s important to understand from the beginning your kitty’s scratching preferences and redirect her behavior accordingly.

For solving the carpet scratching problem, you will need special cat furniture: horizontal or inclined scratch pads. These pads can be covered with different materials – cardboard, sisal rope, even carpet fabric (for those cats who are especially enthusiastic about carpets!). Most of these pads come with catnip pockets that will attract your cat towards her new toy.

In case you buy a cardboard covered pad or post, make sure that you replace the covering when you notice that it is too damaged – otherwise your cat will soon lose interest.

It’s advisable to place the scratching furniture on your cat’s favorite scratching place – this way she will learn faster that she has a better scratching alternative.

When your kitty gets accustomed with her new toy, you can slowly teach her how to scratch a vertical post or a climbing tree. For this, install in the vicinity of the scratching pad a sisal or carpet covered post, spray it with catnip and play with your kitty near it. Don’t force her to scratch the things you want – she has to do it because she wants to, not because she has to!

You can continue using two types of cat scratchers (vertical and horizontal), or you can try to switch gradually to a vertical post. Just don’t forget that the integrity of your furnishing is not the only important thing. Your cat has to be content and happy as well – otherwise her life next to you will not be as pleasant and fulfilled as it should be.

The world has changed a lot during the last centuries. Animals that were meant to live outdoors, in a free natural environment are often living by our side in our homes. Cats may be fluffy and adorable pets, but at the same time they are agile predators who have their needs and instincts. We cannot bring the jungle in our house for making our cats feel more ‘at home’, but we can definitely provide them with a cat scratching post, this way allowing them to feel as free as possible.