Best products to protect furniture from cat scratching

When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn moreWe talked to veterinarians and cat behaviorists to learn how to stop cats from scratching furniture, and we evaluated the best furniture guards.Janelle Leeson/Business InsiderIf you're trying to figure out how to stop your cat from scratching the furniture, first, you'll need to understand why they do it. Scratching is a natural behavior for cats. They scratch to stretch, keep their claws in good shape for climbing and hunting, and mark their territory, through both scents and visible signs, says Dr. Maggie Placer, a veterinarian and the veterinary sciences program manager at EveryCat Health Foundation.To find the best products to protect furniture from scratching, we consulted veterinarians and cat behaviorists and enlisted four cats to test everything from couch protectors to scratching posts. In total, we've tried 30 products designed to prevent destructive scratching. Our top picks at a glance: The Sofa Scratcher Squared is a durable sisal-covered post that fits neatly around the corners of couches and chairs. We appreciate its minimalist design and neutral color options. To protect other areas, such as beds and the sides of chairs and couches, I recommend Panther Armor Heavy Duty Clear Protectors. These transparent, discreet barriers can be cut to size to protect your furniture. For best results, pair them with a sturdy scratching post, such as the 32-inch tall SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post. Keep in mind that cats might scratch furniture for several reasons. They may not have access to alternatives, such as scratching posts or pads. If your cat has dedicated scratchers but keeps returning to your furniture, those might not be placed in the right spots, or their scratching surfaces may be worn out and need replacement. In some cases, cats simply prefer the height of the furniture or the sensation of scratching a couch or carpet. Whatever the reason, you can redirect your cat's scratching by providing them with more appealing alternatives.Read more about how Business Insider Reviews tests and researches pet products.Our top picks to stop cats from scratching furnitureBest overall: Sofa Scratcher Squared - $88 at ChewyBest furniture guard: Panther Armor Heavy-Duty Clear Protectors - $18 at ChewyBest scratch tape: Pioneer Pet Sticky Paws on a Roll - $13 at ChewyBest stylish: Hilde & Phil Cat-e-Corner - $379 at Hilde & PhilBest scratching post: SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post - $60 at ChewyBest floor scratcher: Petfusion Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge - $50 at ChewyBest wall-mounted scratcher: 7 Ruby Road Cat Wall Scratcher - $45 at AmazonBest cat tree: Armarkat Classic Cat Tree - $125 at ChewyBest overallBest for: Cats who scratch sofas or chairs, redirecting scratching behavior, long-lasting scratch protectionSkip this if: You want to cover large furniture surfaces completely, or you're looking for temporary scratch protection rather than a permanent scratching surface.The genius of the Sofa Scratcher is that its sisal-covered edges fit snugly against the edges of a couch or chair. This gives a cat an appropriate place to scratch right at the center of the room where felines prefer to mark their territory, says Dr. Christine Calder, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist.The Sofa Scratcher comes in both a half-moon-shaped design and a square version. We prefer the Sofa Scratcher Squared because it fits flush against most furniture and has a sturdy wood core that prevents cats from digging their claws into the upholstery. One of our furniture-scratching cats seemed to enjoy flexing his claws on the Sofa Scratcher Squared as much as the couch itself. Even after nearly six months of use, the scratcher still looked good as new.The Sofa Scratcher did a fine job of protecting our sofas and chairs.Janelle Leeson/Business InsiderThe 24-inch-tall square scratcher, with its two 5.5-inch-wide panels, perfectly covered the chair and couches. If your furniture is taller, you might need an additional furniture guard to cover any remaining exposed areas. The brand's original rounded scratcher didn't match the shape of our straight-edged furniture, leaving gaps large enough for a determined cat to reach the upholstery, but it may be a better fit if your furniture has curved arms.The Sofa Scratcher stays in place with a rectangular polycarbonate base that you slip under the leg of a couch or chair, with the added weight anchoring it. While the base remained stable, the top of the scratcher sometimes wobbled. Still, it never dislodged from the couch, even when our cats dug their claws in deep and pulled with force.Keep in mind that if you stop using this type of scratcher, it could lead to issues. "It won't train your cat to scratch on all couches or furniture, but it could absolutely teach your cat that this couch is now a delightful scratching surface," says Rachel Geller, a certified cat beha

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