Why Do Cats Scratch? Understanding Your Feline's Behavior
What is scratching behavior?
We have all seen our kitties stretch, reach out long with their paws and sharpen their claws on a piece of furniture, cat tree, or post of some sort. Scratching is an instinctual and natural behavior cats participate in, as it has several key benefits for their overall safety and wellbeing.
It feels good
Helps their mood
Maintains their nail health
Maintains their physical health
Provides protection or boundaries
Lets break down some of these reasons
It feels good
You heard it right, cats love scratching for the many benefits it brings. Specifically scratching stretches their claw muscles, back and shoulders, it removes the sheaths, leaves a pleasant scent (pheromone) that communicates to other animals it is their territory and it also relieves stress if they are anxious or worried.
Helps their mood
Scratching can reduce feelings of anxiousness during stressful or uncommon situations the cat is experiencing. Situations such as a new person coming to visit, moving to another home or maybe a new cat has joined the family. It can also tell you that they are happy as scratching releases endorphins making them feel good.
Maintains nail health
How would cats fare well in the wild without humans to trim their nails? Scratching! That’s right, this behavior keeps kitties nails in tip top shape by exercising the muscles in their paws, and also removing the sheath (top nail cover) shedding to keep their claws fresh and sharp.
Maintains physical health
In addition to stretching the nail muscles and bones, scratching also stretches out the shoulders, back, limbs and body. This action helps keep them feeling nimble and provides a gooooood stretch after a long nap!
Provides protection or boundaries
Cats nails also have scent glands similar to their cheeks and chin areas that allow them to mark their territories. Marking their territories help alleviate stress of the unknown, mix their scent with yours and also lets other animals know this spot is taken.
We Need Our Claws!
Our claws are essential tools for us, not just for scratching but also for climbing, playing, and self-defense. They are a natural part of who we are, helping us navigate our surroundings and interact with the world around us. Without our claws, we would lose a vital part of our identity and ability to express ourselves. Let's embrace and respect our claws!
What if we don’t want them to scratch certain things?
This is a totally valid opinion, there are some items in our homes we would like to keep in perfect condition.
How do we ensure our kitties don’t scratch these items?
Encourage Positive Scratching Behavior!
Provide adequate scratching posts, at least 1 per cat
Place the scratching posts in a high traffic areas (next to the couch, near the kitchen, anywhere their humans spend a lot of time and near places they are already scratching)
Praise them every time they use the scratching post with treats, pets and verbal affirmations
Place treats, cat nip, silver vine and things they love on the scratcher to keep it exciting to go there
Have different types of scratching posts (vertical, horizontal and different textures) for a variety
When training your cat, avoid yelling at them or spraying them with water. (This causes the opposite of what you want to happen)
Only use positive reinforcement.
