As a cat mother or father, you’ve undoubtedly seen your feline companion’s enthusiastic propensity for scratching. Whether or not they’re sinking their claws into your brand-new Pottery Barn couch or your wicker mattress body, cats are naturally inclined to scratch a wide range of surfaces. And naturally, this begs the query: why do cats scratch?
Learn on to get the inside track on cat scratching.
Why Do Cats Scratch?
Whereas scratching may seem to be a harmful behavior to people, relaxation assured your cat isn’t doing it to vex you. In reality, one survey discovered that 84 % of cats scratch inappropriate objects (chairs, furnishings, carpets, and many others.), making this a widespread concern for a lot of cat mother and father. [1]
Whereas this habits will be harmful and irritating, scratching is a pure intuition for cats and serves a number of very important capabilities of their lives, explains Samantha Bell, cat habits skilled at Finest Buddies Animal Society. This intuition is so robust that making an attempt to remove scratching fully shouldn't be solely unrealistic but in addition unfair to the cat.
Your aim shouldn’t be to cease your cat from scratching normally, however reasonably to coach them to solely scratch their scratching posts and different designated scratching areas. We’ll cowl methods to encourage acceptable scratching shortly, however first, let’s discover some cat scratching fundamentals.
So, why do they do it? Listed here are the important thing causes:
Marking territory
Cats are territorial creatures by nature, and scratching serves as a twin methodology for marking territory. “Within the wild, huge cats make deep scratch marks on bushes alongside the perimeter of their territory to offer a visible sign to different cats that this space belongs to them,” says Bell.
Moreover, the scent glands of their paw pads launch pheromones throughout scratching, leaving an olfactory marker that serves as a “no trespassing” signal to different animals.
“Our home cats have these similar instincts and wish to really feel like they ‘personal’ territory of their dwelling,” says Bell. That is one purpose cats are likely to scratch varied objects of their people’ homes.
Claw upkeep
Simply as people trim their nails, cats want to take care of their claws. “Scratching removes the useless sheaths on cats’ nails,” says Bell. Shedding this outer layer of the claw reveals a sharper, more healthy claw beneath.
Having sharp, well-maintained claws helps with a cat’s day-to-day actions, together with climbing, searching, or gripping onto surfaces.
Stretching and train
Scratching is an efficient type of stretching for cats, akin to the feline model of yoga. “When cats scratch, they have interaction their entrance leg muscle tissue to dig into surfaces and their again leg muscle tissue to push,” says Bell. By reaching up so far as they'll, in addition they launch muscle rigidity of their again and shoulders.
When achieved vigorously, scratching may even function train, because it prompts varied muscle teams, elevates coronary heart price and burns energy, says Bell.
Stress aid and emotional expression
Scratching can function a wholesome outlet for stress aid. Similar to people might go for a run or hit a punching bag after they’re feeling tense, cats might resort to scratching to launch built-up stress.
“Scratching is used to specific pleasure or frustration,” says Bell. “It’s like how children bounce up and down when excited.” That is why your cat may excitedly run to their scratching submit to scratch when you’re making ready their meals or while you come dwelling.
Why Do Cats Scratch Furnishings?
Have you ever ever puzzled why your cat makes use of your trendy sofa as their private scratching submit? Understanding the next causes can supply insights into why your furnishings typically turns into the goal for these feline claws.
Sturdiness
“Within the wild, cats scratch on bushes that are tall [and] sturdy, and gained’t transfer or tip over, even when they put all their weight on them,” says Bell.
Sadly, many commercially obtainable scratching posts fail to fulfill these important standards. They typically lack the peak for a cat to completely prolong their physique and should wobble underneath the depth of a spirited scratch. This drives cats to hunt alternate options like furnishings, which mimics the tall and durable traits of a tree within the wild, Bell explains.
Comfort and accessibility
Furnishings, like couches and chairs, are usually centrally positioned in properties, making them straightforward targets for a cat trying to have interaction in a fast scratching session. They’re handy, available, and infrequently on the excellent peak for a cat to face on their hind legs and stretch whereas scratching.
Territorial marking
SImilar to the way in which huge cats mark within the wild, when your cat scratches your furnishings, they’re bodily marking it and abandoning an olfactory signature. This alerts to different cats and animals that this piece of furnishings – and by extension, the encircling space — is claimed territory.
Consideration-seeking habits
Cats shortly study that sure actions will lead to particular reactions from their human companions. If scratching the sofa makes you rise up and work together with them — even when it’s simply to shoo them away — your cat might proceed to do it to get your consideration.
Why Do Cats Scratch Folks?
“The explanations behind cats scratching persons are very totally different from why they scratch furnishings,” says Bell. Let’s evaluate the most typical causes:
Defensive habits
Cats may scratch individuals in the event that they really feel cornered, threatened or unsafe. It is a defensive habits supposed to guard themselves from a perceived risk. It’s at all times important to strategy cats — particularly unfamiliar ones — slowly and cautiously to keep away from triggering their defensive instincts.
Playfulness and overstimulation
Cats, particularly youthful ones, have a robust play drive, they usually typically use their paws and claws as instruments for exploration and play. Younger cats won't but perceive the way to regulate their claw use, resulting in scratches. Equally, grownup cats can grow to be overstimulated throughout play and may scratch consequently.
Anxiousness or stress
Similar to people, cats can act out after they’re feeling anxious or confused. If you happen to discover a sudden change in your cat’s habits, together with elevated scratching, it could be price investigating any adjustments of their surroundings or routine that might be inflicting stress.
Unintentional
Typically, scratching is only unintentional. Your cat is likely to be making an attempt to leap out of your lap however makes use of an excessive amount of claw within the push-off, or they might be aiming for a toy and miss.
Cease a Cat from Scratching Furnishings (or Different Inappropriate Objects)
Whereas scratching is a pure and important habits for cats, that doesn’t imply your furnishings must be the sacrificial providing. Listed here are some methods to information your cat away from the furnishings and towards their designated scratching posts and pads.
Present alternate options
The best solution to preserve your cat from scratching your furnishings is to supply them extra interesting alternate options. A high-quality cat scratching submit, cat scratching pad, or cat tree with built-in scratching areas can provide your feline pal a delegated place to meet their scratching wants.
Place the cat scratchers close to the furnishings your cat tends to scratch. This fashion, they’ll be extra probably to decide on the submit or pad over the furnishings after they really feel the urge to scratch.
Keep in mind that scratching serves as a means for cats to mark their territory. For that reason, it’s additionally necessary to position scratching posts and different scratching surfaces in rooms your cat often occupies, like the lounge and bed room.
Use constructive reinforcement
When your cat makes use of their scratching submit or one other acceptable floor, supply reward, affection, treats, or playtime as a reward. Constructive reinforcement will be extremely efficient in shaping your cat’s habits.
In case your cat begins scratching an inappropriate object, gently interrupt and redirect them to their designated scratching submit. You possibly can even place a deal with or toy close to the submit to encourage utilization.
As soon as they make the swap, instantly reward them to bolster the constructive habits. This mix of interruption, redirection, and constructive reinforcement may also help prepare your cat to scratch solely the place it’s acceptable.
Add scratching pads to furnishings
Utilizing a furnishings scratching pad will be an efficient compromise between preserving your furnishings and permitting your cat to interact of their pure scratching habits.
By attaching a scratching pad on to their favourite scratching spots on the furnishings, you supply a delegated space for them to scratch with out damaging your belongings.
Over time, you'll be able to progressively shift the pad nearer to a extra acceptable scratching space, utilizing constructive reinforcement to encourage this habits.
Repeatedly trim claws
Whereas it gained’t cease your cat from scratching, retaining their claws trimmed will cut back the quantity of injury they'll do. If you happen to’re not sure how to do that safely, your veterinarian or an expert groomer may also help.
Seek the advice of a cat behaviorist
If you happen to’ve exhausted varied methods and your cat continues to scratch furnishings or different inappropriate areas, it could be time to seek the advice of a cat behaviorist. Though scratching is a pure habits, persistent points might signify heightened stress ranges or deeply ingrained habits that would necessitate skilled recommendation.
Cat Scratching: Different Ideas and Recommendation
As we conclude, let’s discover some further suggestions that can come in useful for managing your cat’s scratching habits:
By no means punish your cat for scratching
It’s essential to keep in mind that scratching is a pure, instinctive habits for cats. Punishing your cat (together with spraying them with water) for doing what comes naturally can confuse them and injury the belief between you. As a substitute, deal with redirecting their habits to acceptable spots.
Rotate scratching toys and surfaces
Like people, cats can get uninterested in the identical previous factor. Maintain your kitty’s curiosity piqued by rotating their scratching toys. This selection may also let you work out which supplies and forms of scratchers your cat prefers.
Put money into high quality scratching posts
Not all scratching posts are created equal. Put money into high-quality posts made out of supplies which might be engaging to cats and can face up to their clawing. The submit needs to be tall sufficient in your cat to completely stretch and steady sufficient to bear their weight with out tipping over.
Consistency is essential
When coaching your cat to make use of a scratching submit or pad, consistency is crucial. At all times reward good habits and gently redirect them after they scratch inappropriately. Use the identical kind of reward — whether or not it’s a deal with, verbal reward, or a fast play session — to bolster the habits you wish to see.
Keep in mind, the purpose isn’t to remove scratching, however to direct it in a means that fits each feline and human members of the family. With understanding, persistence, and constant effort, you'll be able to obtain a peaceable coexistence that respects your cat’s pure instincts and your furnishings.
