December 05, 2025

Do Cats Need Multiple Cat Scratchers Around the House?

Is one scratcher enough? Learn why cats need multiple scratching spots, explore the benefits, and more. Read Now!

A brown mother cat lies on a gray carpet, nursing two kittens, while dreaming of a home with multiple cat scratchers to keep her little ones entertained

If you’ve ever wondered whether your cat needs more than one place to scratch, the short answer is yes. Keep reading to discover why multiple cat scratchers can make a huge difference in your home and your furniture.


1- Cats Like Options

A single scratching post rarely meets every need, especially as your cat moves through different parts of the house. Providing multiple cat scratchers creates an enriched environment where they are never far from a “legal” surface. 

This setup gives them the freedom to decide exactly where and how they want to scratch, keeping the habit fresh and accessible no matter which room they are in.


2- Helps Protect More Areas of Your Home

If your home only has one scratching station, your cat may feel the need to mark other territory using your furniture. Without an approved outlet in the living room or bedroom, items like armchairs and rugs become convenient targets.

Introducing multiple cat scratchers allows you to place them directly next to these temptation zones. This creates a protective barrier that satisfies their need to mark territory while redirecting their energy away from your valuables and onto a scratching surface designed just for them.


3- Supports Multi-Cat Households

In homes with two or more cats, sharing doesn’t always come naturally. Multiple cat scratchers help reduce tension and give each cat their own space to mark and use without conflict.


4- Matches Different Scratching Styles

Scratching preferences aren’t always consistent, as your cat might enjoy a deep vertical stretch in the morning but prefer a flat, horizontal surface later in the day.

Offering a variety of scratchers that feature different angles and textures helps you eliminate the guesswork, creating a stimulating setup that naturally adapts to their instincts and keeps them happily engaged long-term.


5- Encourages More Daily Activity

Because scratching involves so much reaching, pulling, and flexing, it acts as a key form of daily exercise that helps keep their joints and muscles in top shape. Placing multiple scratchers along their usual paths turns your home into an engaging environment, inviting them to stretch and play more often as they go about their day. 

This naturally encourages them to move from room to room rather than napping in one spot for hours, which helps break up lazy afternoons with healthy bursts of activity.


6- Reduces Boredom in Indoor Cats

Keeping an indoor cat happy requires a little creativity and takes some planning, as a lack of things to do often leads them to create their own fun, usually at the expense of your furniture. 

Introducing a variety of cat scratchers in different rooms breaks up the monotony, giving them fresh, approved outlets that keep their minds busy and prevent them from acting out simply because they are bored.


7- Makes Training Much Easier

When you place cat scratchers near trouble spots like the sofa corner, you give your cat an instant alternative. Over time, the habit shifts naturally to acceptable scratching surfaces.


How to Place Multiple Cat Scratchers for the Best Results

Even if you have multiple cat scratchers, their placement can make or break how often your cat uses them. Positioning them smartly helps redirect your cat to approved scratching spots and keeps your home feeling organized rather than cluttered.

  • Put one near each relaxation zone: cats love to stretch and scratch after a nap, so placing a scratcher next to their favorite bed or windowsill boosts usage.

  • Add one near frequently used furniture: placing a cat scratcher beside your sofa, bed frame, or entryway bench redirects scratching away from items your cat might be tempted to mark.

  • Use different rooms to support their routine: spreading scratchers across shared spaces, hallways, or home offices helps your cat feel secure throughout the house rather than confined to one area.

  • Make at least one scratcher a visible option: hiding all of them in corners can reduce interest. Remember, cats like easily accessible, welcoming spots they can claim.

 

If you enjoyed this post, explore our previous cat-care blogs for more simple, cat-friendly tips. And if you're a true cat lover, join our community on Instagram @hilde.phil, where thousands of cat parents follow us for daily enrichment ideas, product tips, and adorable updates.

 

Updated: December 05, 2025