[header] How to stop a cat from scratching a leather sofa [title] Learn about scratching posts. [step] There are different types of materials that cats like to scratch on, including corrugated cardboard, carpeted surfaces, and sisal (a type of rug). Scratching posts can be oriented vertically or horizontally, but cats tend to prefer vertical posts. 
Scratching posts can also come in different shapes and sizes. [substeps] Sisal is a very popular scratching material with cats.