Cat Scratching Behavior

Posted on February 8, 2025

Scratching Behavior in Cats

There are several reasons why cats scratch.

🐱Communicate their presence and mark their territory

🐱Sharpen their claws and remove their layered sheaths

🐱Stretch

🐱Relieve stress and expend energy

Scratching is an instinctive behavior, and they must scratch. If they choose to use your furniture, mattress or drapes, then one must give them other options of appropriate items to scratch.

There are numerous options that you can provide your cat.

🐱These include cardboard scratch pads that can be used on the floor or hang from a doorknob

🐱Cat tree scratchers with sisal rope

🐱Carpet scratchers

You can use catnip on the scratcher to encourage them to use it.

You can also use double sided sticky tape on your furniture to deter them from scratching it. When you see them scratching the appropriate object reward them with a treat or pets for doing so!

A cat shouldn’t be punished for doing something they have to do, so they should be provided with enough appropriate items to scratch.