ᐅ My pet keeps scratching the underside of the KALLAX shelving unit – any solutions?

Hello everyone,

I have a problem with my pet, specifically my curious tomcat, who keeps scratching the underside of my KALLAX shelf. The piece of furniture is made of particleboard with a white laminate finish.

The scratching happens constantly, sometimes even at night, and this has not only caused unsightly scratch marks but I am also worried that the material is starting to chip in some areas. I have tried to protect these spots with wood glue, but it does not hold for long.

So my question is: Are there effective methods or products to stop the scratching without harming or overly restricting the animal? Perhaps someone also has an idea on how to make the shelf itself more durable so it is less attractive to scratch?

I would really appreciate any advice or experiences!

Eric64 schrieb:
My cat keeps scratching the underside of the KALLAX shelf, sometimes even at night.

What kind of protection have you applied so far? Furniture glue alone is hardly effective as a claw deterrent; it’s more for repairs.

Have you considered why your cat is specifically choosing that area?

Sometimes the causes lie in behavior, not just the material. Is there a scratching post nearby, or could it be better positioned?

I encourage you to look at the problem from your pet’s perspective, so that the solution is not just cosmetic but also effective in the long term.

Stick multiple layers of adhesive tape on the underside; this often deters cats. Alternatively, use double-sided tape, as they usually dislike that.

You can also place a scratching post nearby.

A protective film made of transparent plastic would be a good idea. It is available in hardware stores as furniture protection.

You can also make the shelf more durable with sandable clear varnish.

Try covering the areas with aluminum foil. Cats dislike the noise and the feeling on their paws.

Alternatively, you can equip the underside with a scratching board.

Eric64 schrieb:
My tomcat constantly scratches the underside of the KALLAX shelving unit, sometimes even at night, and I’m worried about the material.

This issue is often linked to territorial behavior or marking, which is typical in cats.

A long-term solution should consider both technical measures and behavioral adjustments.

From a technical perspective, I recommend attaching a sturdy protective panel made of acrylic or polycarbonate with screws to the underside. These materials are more resistant to claws.

Regarding behavior: provide suitable scratching alternatives nearby, ideally close to the KALLAX unit, to redirect the cat’s interest.

Combining protection with alternatives has been proven to work better than isolated measures.