Why Are Cats In The Habit Of Scratching?

Living with pets has numerous benefits and can produce a lot of good times. That’s why we choose to share our life with animals. Although nothing and no one is perfect, there are details that can be disturbing during daily life and coexistence.

One of the things that can create a lot of stress is when a cat scratches its nails on furniture, sofa upholstery, or other elements of the house. But why do they do this?

Why are cats in the habit of scratching objects?

The nails are ã the vital import â INSTANCE for your cat. They use them to climb, defend and hunt. For this reason, it is normal that they want to keep them in great condition.

Cats have retractable claws, which are hidden or embedded when not in use. Growth is constant and is layered. This is explains tio the key for them scratching all who see ahead. Est ã the removing the old nails and keeping the new trim.

We know that hygiene in cats involves a whole ritual. Pussies devote a large part of the day to hygiene; that is, keeping nails in shape is part of that ritual.

In a natural environment, cats sharpen their claws, usually in trunks  will trees. The problem is that trees do not grow indoors…. And then, instead of repressing your pet’s normal attitude,  offer it elements to scratch its nails and, thus, little by little (don’t forget it’s a habit animal) it will stop scratching the furniture.

So, if you don’t have a tree nearby, you should buy a scraper at a petshop or make one yourself. You can also get a piece of trunk or pole.

If you decide and have free time, build an artificial tree so that your pet can climb, scratch, hide and sleep. Ideally, with or without an artificial tree, leave a corner of your house for your feline to play, where it feels safe and has fun with toys and scratchers.

Keep in mind that the object that provides the scratching must be well fixed to the ground, so that your cat can do this activity without problems. If the object moves, it is possible that the feline will not use it.

Other reasons cats scratch

Nail care isn’t the only cause of scratching surfaces our feline friends love. You can also do it to:

• Mark territory O river

Cats have small glands in their paws that, when they scratch objects, leave an olfactory mark that humans cannot perceive. Note that mark the territory O river is one to tio social.

Thus, the cats leave the sign for two reasons, visual and olfactory, in places they consider strategic, especially if they are vertical areas. It’s a way to feel safe in your space.

For cats, it is very important that the surroundings provide them with safety, not threatening. Therefore, they mark the territory as a symbol of dominance in front of other cats. This type of marking can get worse if they decide to also practice with urine. But, that’s a topic for another article.

• To relax

When cats scratch their nails, they generally stretch their entire body. This action allows them to release stress and feel relaxed and happy.

You already know that you must have a little tolerance for your cat as he scratches your furniture as he gets used to using the scraper. Remember that keeping your nails in good condition is vitally important in the feline universe.

For this reason, forget about any impulse to want to remove your pet’s nails to  preserve household objects. If someone advises you to do this, don’t take it into account. This will not do your pet any benefit.

On the contrary, it will fatten the pockets of those who perform the operation and your cat will suffer irreversible damage.

This practice, known as deungulation, involves cutting part of the bone in order to extract the claws. And it’s a real cruelty for the animal, as a fundamental tool for its daily life is being removed, leaving the animal’s mental and emotional balance at serious risk.