How to stop your cat from scratching doors and walls

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Introduction

Is your cat scratching the doors, baseboards, or even tearing up your walls? You’re not alone. While scratching is a natural behavior for cats, it can quickly become destructive if directed at the wrong places. The good news? With the right approach, you can redirect this behavior and protect your home. In this guide, you’ll learn how to stop your cat from scratching doors and walls step by step—without stress, punishment, or confusion.

Why Cats Scratch Doors and Walls

Before fixing the problem, it’s important to understand why your cat is doing it:

  • Territory marking: Cats have scent glands in their paws and scratch to mark their territory.
  • Exercise and stretching: Scratching helps them stretch their bodies and flex muscles.
  • Boredom or frustration: If your cat is under-stimulated, they may scratch out of restlessness.
  • Attention-seeking: Some cats learn that scratching doors gets your attention—even if it’s negative.
  • Blocked access: If the scratching happens at doors, your cat may simply want in—or out.

The key to stopping destructive scratching is redirecting it to appropriate outlets.

Step-by-Step Guide to Stop Scratching

Step 1: Identify Scratching Hotspots

  • Note where your cat tends to scratch—specific doors, corners of walls, or doorframes.
  • Watch when they scratch. Is it when they’re alone, just before meals, or after waking up?

Understanding the when and why helps you apply the right fix.

Step 2: Provide Proper Scratching Alternatives

  • Place scratching posts or pads near the problem areas—especially by doors or walls they target.
  • Choose materials your cat prefers, like sisal, carpet, cardboard, or wood.
  • Try both vertical posts and horizontal scratch pads, depending on their scratching style.
  • Rub catnip or silvervine into the scratcher to encourage use.

If your cat ignores the new scratcher, try placing treats or toys nearby to spark curiosity.

Step 3: Make Doors and Walls Less Appealing

Use deterrents to stop your cat from scratching the wrong surfaces:

  • Double-sided sticky tape or furniture tape: Cats dislike sticky textures.
  • Plastic furniture guards or scratch shields: Transparent barriers that protect surfaces.
  • Aluminum foil: Temporarily tape foil on surfaces—many cats hate the crinkly sound and feel.
  • Use a cat-safe deterrent spray with citrus or herbal scents cats dislike.

Always combine deterrents with positive alternatives (like a nearby scratch post).

Step 4: Block or Modify Access

  • Keep doors closed or block access to certain rooms when unsupervised.
  • Use baby gates or strategically placed furniture to prevent scratching when you’re not around.
  • Cover favorite scratch zones with furniture, rugs, or vertical scratchers until the habit fades.

Cats usually won’t keep scratching areas they can’t reach or don’t enjoy.

Step 5: Add Enrichment to Prevent Boredom

Scratching can be a sign your cat needs more stimulation. Add:

  • Interactive toys (feathers, laser pointers, puzzle feeders)
  • Daily play sessions (10–15 minutes, twice a day)
  • Window perches for bird watching
  • Cat trees or shelves for vertical climbing and scratching

A mentally and physically stimulated cat is less likely to act out with destructive habits.

Step 6: Redirect and Reward

When you catch your cat in the act:

  • Interrupt calmly—clap gently or say “no”
  • Immediately guide them to a nearby scratching post
  • Once they use it, praise them and give a treat

Avoid yelling or punishment—it causes fear and doesn’t teach the right behavior.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Skipping scratching posts altogether
    If your cat doesn’t have a proper outlet, they’ll use whatever is available—including your walls.
  • Using harsh punishments
    Spraying water, shouting, or scolding only damages trust and increases anxiety.
  • Ignoring the behavior
    The longer your cat builds the scratching habit, the harder it is to break.
  • Not reinforcing good behavior
    Praise and reward are essential. Let your cat know they’ve made the right choice.
  • Giving up too soon
    Behavior changes take time. Stay consistent with your training and setup.

Extra Tips & Recommendations

  • Trim your cat’s nails regularly
    Shorter claws reduce damage and make scratching less destructive.
  • Try soft nail caps
    These plastic caps (like Soft Paws) go over your cat’s claws and prevent damage.
  • Use pheromone diffusers
    Plug-ins like Feliway release calming scents that reduce territorial scratching.
  • Rotate scratcher locations
    Move scratchers every few weeks to keep your cat interested.
  • Be patient with rescues or new cats
    They may take longer to adjust and stop scratching out of anxiety or stress.

Conclusion

Stopping your cat from scratching doors and walls takes a mix of understanding, redirection, and patience. Once you give your cat acceptable outlets and make problem areas unappealing, they’ll naturally shift their behavior over time. Remember—scratching is normal. The goal isn’t to eliminate it, but to guide it in the right direction.

🐾 For more easy and effective cat behavior tips, explore our full library of step-by-step guides!