Scratching Is Normal, So Redirect It
Scratching is not misbehaviour; it is a built-in need. Cats scratch to shed the outer layers of their claws, to stretch their back and shoulder muscles, and to mark territory with scent glands in their paws. Because the behaviour is necessary, punishment does not stop it, it only teaches the cat to fear you or to scratch when you are not looking. The working strategy is redirection: make the right surfaces more attractive than your sofa. Never consider declawing; it is the amputation of the last joint of each toe, causes lasting pain and behaviour problems, and is illegal in many countries.
Choosing and Placing Scratchers
A good scratching post is tall enough for a full-body stretch, so stable it never wobbles, and covered in a satisfying material such as sisal. Offer horizontal cardboard scratchers too, since many cats like both angles. Placement decides success: put scratchers near sleeping spots, because cats love to stretch and scratch right after waking, and directly next to the furniture the cat already targets. You can make the wrong spot less tempting with double-sided tape or a throw while the new post takes over. Praise and treats when the cat uses the post speed things up considerably.
Play That Feels Like Hunting
An indoor cat needs a daily outlet for its hunting instinct, and interactive play is the best one. Use a wand toy and move it like prey: small darting movements away from the cat, hiding behind furniture, sudden stops. Let the cat stalk, chase and, crucially, catch the toy regularly, and end sessions with a catch followed by a treat or a meal so the hunt gets a satisfying finish. One or two focused sessions a day of ten to fifteen minutes do more good than a basket full of ignored toys. Rotate toys weekly, keeping only a few out at a time, so old favourites feel new again.
Enrich the Whole Territory
Beyond play, enrich the environment itself. Food puzzles and treat balls turn meals into hunting problems and slow down fast eaters. A window perch with a view of birds and street life is entertainment for hours, and vertical space (cat trees, shelves, cleared bookcase tops) lets the cat survey its territory and retreat upward when it wants peace. Cardboard boxes and paper bags without handles cost nothing and are reliably popular. If your cat suddenly scratches much more, seems restless or stops playing entirely, mention it to your veterinarian, since behaviour changes can signal pain or illness.