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A white cat with pink ears sits beside a torn, chewed couch cushion with foam and fluff scattered in a messy room. 23 / 26

The Couch Cushion Was Fine Yesterday. Cotton the Cat Has a Theory.

AI imagewhite catcouch cushionliving room

A once-neat couch cushion now wears bite marks and a ragged crown of stuffing, and Cotton the white cat sits just in front of it with her ears slightly back. Bits of foam cling to the fabric and scatter across the floor, a gray blanket sags over the sofa, and a basket of laundry sits by the window. Her pink nose and pale pink ears stand out against the clutter, and her eyes slide to one side in the unmistakable look of a cat that knows exactly what she has done.

Cats chew and scratch furniture to stretch their muscles, mark territory with scent glands in their paws and relieve boredom or stress. Soft cushions are tempting because they are fun to dig into and grab with claws. Offering a tall, stable scratching post and a few toys near the spot your cat prefers can redirect the habit, and rewarding a cat for using them helps it stick. Regular play sessions, especially in the evening, can wear out a restless cat. Swallowed foam and stuffing can be dangerous, so clean up any pieces promptly and mention it to your vet if your cat seems to be eating them. White cats may need extra sun protection on their ears and noses, so keep an eye on sunny windows and ask your vet about it.

Cotton will get a new scratcher soon, and the cushion will earn a new cover. Cats are very good at making cleanup feel worth it.

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