The best products to stop your cat from scratching your furniture

Nothing is worse than buying a new couch just to have it destroyed by sharp cat claws. To protect your investment, you have a few options, but providing your cat with a scratch-friendly surface is a simple and effective way to keep your furniture from being destroyed. Our top pick for the best couch scratching post is the Sofa-Scratcher Cat Scratching Post & Couch Corner.

Available in a wide range of color options to match any couch, the Sofa-Scratcher is designed to encourage healthy scratching but not at the expense of your furniture. This scratching post fits around the corner of your couch, sliding under the leg for stability and it's tall enough to give your cat a good stretch. Covered in woven sisal fabric, this post is highly attractive to cats and it will hold up against your cat's claws much better than your couch would.

A detailed review from Haus Panther describes the Sofa-Scratcher Cat Scratching Post & Couch Corner as attractive and modern-looking in addition to being highly effective. The ultra-thin base fits under the sofa leg to keep the unit firmly in place while your cat scratches away.

Pros: Provides an alternative scratching surface, made from woven sisal fabric, ultra-thin base slides under leg for stability, tall enough to encourage stretching, available in a wide range of colors, works for most couches and sofas

Cons: Expensive compared to many cat scratching posts, encourages cat to scratch the furniture, may not be tall enough for some couches

Because scratching is a natural instinct for cats, you can't expect to train your cat not to scratch. In fact, any attempt to do so will only result in frustration on your part and a hefty dose of confusion for your cat. The best thing you can do if you want to keep your cat from destroying your sofa arms and table legs is to provide an alternative scratching surface — a scratching post. Our top pick for the best stand-alone scratching post is the SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post.

Standing a full 32 inches tall and made from durable sisal rope, this post fulfills your cat's need to scratch while also giving them a full-body stretch. It has a wide base for stability, ensuring that it won't tip or wobble. It is naturally attractive to cats and made in a neutral tone to fit with any home decor, and it is quick and easy to assemble.

Real Simple described the SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post as "the stuff of cat scratching dreams." The reviewer comments that her cats were immediately attracted to the scratching post and even a large, 13-pound cat couldn't topple it.

Pros: Made with durable sisal rope, sturdy base to prevent tipping and wobbling, 32 inches tall to encourage a full stretch, naturally attractive to cats, easy to assemble, neutral color to match decor

Cons: Some cats dislike the material, wooden top may be slippery, material cannot be replaced easily

If all else fails and you aren't able to discourage your cat from scratching your furniture, the next best option may be to cover it with a cat scratching guard. While there are furniture covers that are designed to encourage scratching, a cat scratching guard protects the corners or legs of sofas and upholstered chairs against sharp cat claws. Our top pick for the best furniture cat scratching guard is Furniture Defender Cat Scratching Guards.

Made from this vinyl and available in five different sizes, Furniture Defender Cat Scratching Guards protect the corners and legs of your furniture without detracting from their aesthetics. These scratching guards are completely clear, and they can be installed with twist pins that won't damage your furniture.

With a money-back guarantee, these scratching guards give you peace of mind knowing that your furniture is safe under a layer of near-invisible protection. However, they are only available in clear and can only be used on upholstered furniture. Cat owners love the durability and low-profile design, though some have found the twist pins are too small or their cats simply scratch around the guards.

Pros: Protects upholstered furniture from scratching and rubbing, made from durable vinyl materials, clear color is nearly invisible, easy to install with twist pins, available in multiple sizes

Cons: Some sets came with pins that were too small, cats may scratch around the guard, only designed for upholstered furniture

If you don't like the idea of covering your furniture with a physical barrier against cat scratching, a cat deterrent spray might work. Some cat deterrents are motion-activated but they are easily knocked over and can only be used in one area.

A cat deterrent spray can be applied directly to your furniture and other surfaces to create an invisible layer of cat-repelling protection, and our favorite spray is the Claw Withdraw Cat Scratch Spray Deterrent.

The spray curbs your cat's desire to claw at furniture. The nonstaining formula is safe for use on multiple different surfaces and it's made from gentle, plant-based materials. Simply spritz the spray on furniture to create an invisible liquid shield that will naturally deter your cat, causing them to seek a scratching surface elsewhere.

It's important to note that not all cats will respond to the deterrent, but its inexpensive price tag makes it worth a try. Some cat owners may also find the odor is too strong or unpleasant for them.

Pros: Made from natural plant-based materials, pet-friendly, nonstaining formula, works on multiple surface types, creates an invisible liquid shield to deter cats from scratching, easy to use, comes with a 100% money-back guarantee

Cons: Some users find the smell unpleasant, not all cats will respond to the spray, does not create a physical barrier against scratching

Cats need to scratch, so to save your sofa and your curtains, you need a sturdy cat scratching post or scratcher. Scratching posts may be vertical, horizontal, or inclined, and some of them can be wall-mounted. Each cat has their own unique preferences, of course. These are the best scratching posts.

We spoke to a veterinary behaviorist and a cat behavior consultant to find out what qualities to look for in a litter box. We then tested 15 of the most popular litter boxes, including disposable, hooded, top-entry, and self-cleaning models.

Cats are picky about the litter in their litter boxes, so it's important to choose a formula that's healthy for your cat and easy to clean. Because there are so many different types of cat litter out there, it can be a challenge to make the right choice.

Natural cat litter has several advantages over conventional clay-based cat litter — it's more eco-friendly, it clumps well, and it's healthy for your cat.

Even with low-tracking litter, you still need a mat to contain scatter. The best cat litter mats trap litter to prevent it from being spread all over the house. We tested mats with three cats and consulted veterinarians to select the best ones.

Brushing a cat regularly can help reduce shedding, matted fur, and hairballs. We tested 14 cat brushes, dematting tools, combs, and grooming gloves to select the best for short- and long-haired cats.

Fleas can pose serious risks to your cat's health. With the right flea treatment for cats, you can keep your cat or kitten safe from fleas. Effective over-the-counter flea control products are available in the form of topical preventives, collars, shampoos, sprays, and oral options.

Travel makes many cats nervous. To keep your cat safe and secure, you need to invest in a high-quality cat carrier. Cat carriers come in all shapes and sizes with different designs depending on the intended use. Here are our top picks for the best cat carriers.

Cats need lots of protein and fat in their diets to be healthy, so it's important that you feed them the best nutritionally balanced cat food. Whether you're shopping for dry or wet cat food, we've researched many brands to give you high-quality options.

Hairballs are inevitable for cats, and if your feline is extra fluffy, it may be a chronic problem. Luckily, there are plenty of great hairball remedies, medicines, and prevention tools out there.

Some cats are picky about their food bowl. That's why it's important to choose the right one for their needs. When it comes to choosing the best cat food bowl for your cat, there are a number of factors to consider. Here are our top picks for the best cat bowls.

There are many different kinds of cat beds, and cats, fickle creatures that they are, will all like different beds for special, mysterious cat reasons. Here are the best cat beds you can buy.