Cats at home are always “down” on the furniture, sofas and chairs are scratched and bruised, which gives many American pooper scoopers a headache. In fact, cats scratching furniture is not an intentional mess, there are a variety of deep-seated reasons behind it. Understanding these reasons not only allows us to better understand the cat’s behavior, but also to find effective solutions, so that both the cat and the furniture can “get along” .
Instinctive Needs
Cats are natural predators and scratching is an instinctive behavior that is engrained in their genes. In the wild, scratching helps them sharpen their aging nails and keep their claws sharp at all times so that they can quickly grab their prey when hunting, as well as better protect themselves. Even though many cats nowadays live in comfortable homes with no food or clothing, this instinct still exists. When they feel uncomfortable with their claws or need to exercise them, they will fulfill their needs by scratching, and the furniture around them often becomes the “victim”.
Marking territory
Cats have scent glands distributed across their paws, and when they scratch furniture, they leave behind their own unique odor. For cats, this is a way of marking territory, declaring to other animals that the area belongs to them. When a new member of the family arrives, whether it’s a new pet or a new family member, cats may reinforce their sense of territory by scratching the furniture more frequently, letting the new member know that the area is “sovereign” and belongs to them.
Emotional outbursts
Cats have mood swings just like humans. When they feel anxious, nervous or bored, scratching furniture becomes a way for them to vent their emotions. For example, if there is a sudden loud noise in the house or the owner is not at home for a long time, cats may relieve their inner stress by scratching because they are restless. In addition, when the lack of sufficient play and interaction makes cats feel bored, they will also find some “fun” for themselves by scratching the furniture.
Seeking Attention
Cats are very intelligent animals and they know that their behavior of scratching the furniture will get their owner’s attention. If the owner gives a strong reaction when the cat scratches, whether it’s a loud scolding or a hasty stop, the cat may associate this behavior with getting attention. In an effort to get more attention from their owner, they may scratch the furniture on purpose, even knowing that this will upset their owner.
Now that they understand why cats scratch the furniture, owners can take targeted measures, such as preparing the right cat scratching board and increasing interaction with their cats.
