Do cats like scratching. Yes, Scratching isn’t just second nature to feline; it’s their first instinct. Scratching is a virtual, instinctual drive for them. It’s not only a kitten behaviour; felines engage in it throughout their lives. You might not have given this typical cat behaviour much thought like a pet parent.
Why Do Cats Scratch?
Cats scratch for various reasons that have nothing to do with hatred or mischief toward their owners. Understanding why cats scratch furniture and things in our house can help us have a satisfying, loving relationship with them. Here are some of reasons why do cats scratch, let dig into it.
#1 As Part of Their Daily Grooming Routine
Cats spend mostly all their time grooming themselves by licking their bodies, chewing away little carpets, and licking and scratching their faces with their paws. Rubbing against hard surfaces removes the outer husk from a cat’s nails, and the newer, healthier pin beneath gets freed due to this process. Scratching is frequently misconstrued as a cat sharpening its nails but only removes a dull surface.
#2 Marking Territory
Scratching is a way for cats to mark their territory. They frequently scratch areas such as home entrances and exits, the main front door entrance, favored sleeping spots, and any boundary they believe is being challenged somehow. You can keep your house neat by learning about the numerous reasons your pet is marking his territory and aiding him in resolving those worries.
#3 Exercise
Scratching is a brilliant way to get some exercise! Scratching allows kittens to stretch out their backs, legs, and paws and soothe themselves by filing, sharpening, and cleaning their claws.
#4 Instinct
Cats have a strong innate desire to scratch, and they may find it challenging to stay away if the surface looks and feels pleasant. Therefore, ensure that their scratching requirements are addressed by providing various scratching options.
How to Stop Cats from Scratching?
#1 Ask your cat to stop scratching
Make any single word your “corrective” term, and use it every time you need to. Not scream it, but say it loudly and clearly. This may startle the cat, but it also disrupts its attention. Slowly release your hand from your pet’s hold while its attention is focused on you. If you pull it away, the furry friend will assume the game is still in progress and seize it.
#2 Trim your Cat’s Claws
To prevent ingrown claws in felines, you need to trim or cut your kitten nails daily. Of course, there’s no necessity to declaw a cat for scratching, but keeping those claws clipped can at least prevent them from scratching too often. There are plenty of best cat nail clippers available on amazon, just grab one and start trim it.
#3 Redirect your Cat’s Focus.
You can also use a scratching post or another outlet to redirect their behaviour. Again, it satisfies the duty to correct them and provides them with an acceptable outlet for their actions.
FAQs
Here are a few things you can do to keep your cat from destroying your furniture, etc.
1. Scratching post/cat tree.
2. Tape designed to stick to furniture/sticky tape intentionally placed/cats dislike the feel of it.
3. Scratch boxes that are made out of cardboard
Declawing a pet as a preventative step against unwanted scratching is not a good idea. Declawing can also result in a whole new set of behavioural disorders, some of which are possibly worse than shredding the couch.
Conclusion
Cats might feel nervous or worried for various reasons, and the causes aren’t always apparent to owners. Excessive scratching is the only rare symptom that your kitten is in discomfort, so keep an eye out for other changes in behaviour. The remedy to territorial scratching is to determine the underlying cause, which is usually best accomplished by talking with an expert. If you suspect your cat’s scratching is caused by anxiety, call your veterinarian to refer to a behaviour specialist.