Cat scratching behavior.

Scratching marks on a just-new sofa, on the table legs or on that cute wicker chair in the living room... Your cat has turned the furniture into his personal scratching posts. Chances are you're not too happy about this. But why does your cat put its nails in the furniture and how can you stop this behavior?

Why does my cat scratch?

Sharpening its nails is usually the reason for scratching. When a cat scratches something, it removes the dead, outer layer of its nails and a new sharp layer is released. Cats that are also allowed outside often use trees for this purpose. Indoor cats use a scratching post for this purpose, but may also put their nails into furniture, however; incidentally, a cat does not know which objects it may or may not use to sharpen its nails.

Another reason for scratching a scratching post or furniture is to mark territory. By means of scratch marks, a cat indicates its presence in the house. You won't find these scratch marks in the corners of a house, but in highly visible places. Usually these are table legs, the corners of the sofa or the doorjamb.

Finally, a cat may also sharpen its nails because it is very anxious, stressed or just very happy. At these times you can see scratching as a kind of emotional release.

Why does my cat scratch?

Sharpening its nails is usually the reason for scratching. When a cat scratches something, it removes the dead, outer layer of its nails and a new sharp layer is released. Cats that are also allowed outside often use trees for this purpose. Indoor cats use a scratching post for this purpose, but may also put their nails into furniture, however; incidentally, a cat does not know which objects it may or may not use to sharpen its nails.

Another reason for scratching a scratching post or furniture is to mark territory. By means of scratch marks, a cat indicates its presence in the house. You won't find these scratch marks in the corners of a house, but in highly visible places. Usually these are table legs, the corners of the sofa or the doorjamb.

Finally, a cat may also sharpen its nails because it is very anxious, stressed or just very happy. At these times you can see scratching as a kind of emotional release.
Unwanted scratching of the furniture
You often see cat owners placing a scratching post in a corner of the living room. Cats are then more likely to use objects that are well in view than the scratching post. They do this firstly because indoor cats generally prefer to be lazy rather than tired, they will use the nearest object for nails. Secondly, scratch marks are not visible on a scratching post tucked away in a corner, scratch marks on furniture however are visible so the cat will use it. Therefore, always put a scratching post in a place where your cat spends a lot of time or in a highly visible place in the house.

Another way to ensure that your cat will use the scratching post is to use catnip. Spray some catnip on the cat scratching post to make it more attractive to your cat. In addition to the catnip, you can use a spray that is unattractive to cats in the places you don't want them to scratch.

If you bought a scratching post that is too small for your cat, chances are he won't use it. While scratching, cats often stretch out nicely to stretch the back, legs and shoulders. With a scratching post that is too small, a cat cannot do this. Another option for the cat is then, you guessed it, your furniture. Therefore, always make sure a scratching post is high enough for your cat.

Scratching and behavioral problems

When a cat puts its nails in really every object it comes across and scratches everything to the extreme, there is often an underlying problem. By excessive scratching a cat tries to make clear that something is wrong. Here you can think of stress, insecurity or fear. Therefore, it does not work to punish a cat for excessive scratching behavior, this will only increase the insecurity, fear or stress, and thus the scratching behavior.

To stop extreme scratching behavior, you will first need to find out if something has changed recently for the cat (in the living environment, for example) that has caused the cat to become stressed. Try to remove the source for the fear, uncertainty or stress or let your cat get used to it gradually (for example, when a new cat or dog comes into the house).

Is getting a cat used to something not helping and he continues to scratch excessively? If so, contact a cat behavior specialist. A cat has the extreme scratching behavior for a reason, and it is therefore important to try to solve the underlying problem.

Lots of cats already enjoy Riverwood every day. Would you also like your cat to enjoy our delicious kibble and are you curious which variety would suit your cat best? Then answer a few questions here and order an inexpensive trial pack.