SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/cat-scratch-no-punish

Your cat scratches the couch. What does International Cat Care say about punishment?

Never punish scratching. Offer a better place to do it.

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  1. Spray with water every time
  2. Never punish, scratching is natural ✔
  3. Yell, it works fast

Why: International Cat Care says a cat should never be punished for scratching because it's a natural behavior, which is confusing for the cat. Offer posts in places the cat spends time instead.

Huh, didn't know that: International Cat Care says one post per cat, plus an extra for choice, in multi-cat homes.

The dad joke
Why did the cat get sent to the principal's office? He had a bad catitude in class.
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References

Answer: Never punish, scratching is natural. International Cat Care says a cat should never be punished for scratching because it's a natural behavior, which is confusing for the cat. Offer posts in places the cat spends time instead.

  1. International Cat Care, Scratching on furniture and carpets icatcare.org/articles/scratching-on-furniture-and-carpets
    No, your cat should never be punished.
    Checked 2026-10-10.
  2. International Cat Care, Scratching on furniture and carpets icatcare.org/articles/scratching-on-furniture-and-carpets
    In multi-cat households, we recommend one scratching post per cat (plus an additional one for choice)
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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