Why do cats claw wood and sometimes you furniture? Cats still have that wild side in them, they are hunters and as hunters they must exercise and sharpen there claws. Usually they would do it on trees but if you don't have a tree any wooden surface or your sofa would do. So provide some a wood where your cat could scratch all he wants. Declawing a feline is also not advisable this would leave the cat defenseless from other animals. When this happens it would eventually bite to defend itself also irritable so it could actually bite you.
Cats are smarter than dogs.
Check this out. Cats and mouse don't hate each other. A cat as a predator would intuitively go after a smaller animal that is potential food. Now a cat would easily go catch a squirrel or a bird if the situation presents itself.
THIS WORD
Ailurophobia: Fear of cats