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Cats are odd pets. They have many quirks, both individual and shared, that confuse cat owners. For instance, why do some cats paw at the floor? Is it just instinct? Or could there be something wrong with your cat? If these are questions you’re asking, keep reading.
In the article below, we’ll look at certain explanations as to why your cat might be pawing at the floor.
Why Do Cats Paw at the Floor?
There are a couple of reasons your cat may paw at the floor; thankfully, most of them are pretty harmless. In most instances, cats that paw at the floor do so as a form of investigating something.
The 4 Reasons Why Cats Paw at the Floor
1. They’re Curious About the Texture
Sometimes, you may notice your cat cautiously paw at a surface (including a floor) before they walk over it. This is akin to how we cautiously place our feet on a suspicious surface to ensure that we don’t slip and that the surface is relatively stable.
Cats sometimes do this as well, especially when they’re curious about the texture of the surface. This behavior usually resolves itself once your cat gains familiarity with the surface.
2. Something They Want Is On the Floor
At times, your cat may drop some of their favorite kibble or a small treat on the floor and paw at it in an effort to pick it up in their mouth. This is fairly common around their feeding station, and very easy to observe as well.
3. Your Cat Is Kneading
Kneading is when cats push their paws up and down on a surface, like when a baker kneads dough. Most cats often do this on a soft surface, such as a towel, pillow, blanket, or even on their owners!
Anecdotally, some cats may decide that a floor is their preferred kneading surface. Nobody understands why some cats choose to knead a floor, and the behavior is viewed as an idiosyncrasy. It’s perceived as an odd behavior because it is thought that cats knead in a way they would on their mother’s abdomen as kittens; a floor clearly wouldn’t have a texture similar to that of a nursing cat.
That being said, a carpeted floor may definitely be acceptable for many cats to choose as a kneading surface, and as such, they may paw at the floor.
4. They Hear a Rodent
Unlike us, domesticated cats have the ability to hear the frequencies at which rodents communicate with each other. If your cat seems to be intently listening to the floor and then pawing on it, there’s a small (but we hope unlikely!) chance that your feline can hear a rodent and is therefore trying to paw at the floor to get to them.
How to Stop Your Cat From Pawing at the Floor
Your cat’s kneading and pawing at the floor causes no harm to them or you, but it can be annoying, and if they are doing this to your carpet or furniture, it can cause some problems. If it results in a torn-up rug, there are some things you can do to fix this.
In most instances, cats that paw at a floor for kneading purposes (or as a scratching post of sorts) readily accept alternatives in the form of scratching posts. Cats can be trained to use a scratching post, but they need corrections for their undesired behavior quickly.
When you notice your cat pawing at a surface you don’t agree with, promptly give them a stern but calm “No” and direct them to the scratching post. You should never yell at, strike, or employ other forms of discipline (such as withholding food) from your cat. When your cat does use the scratching post as intended, you should reinforce the behavior by praising them, petting them, or offering them a treat for doing so.
Though treats are a fantastic training tool that many cats appreciate, it is important to note that one can definitely go overboard with treats, which may lead to an overweight or obese pet (undesired outcomes). Adjusting your cat’s meals might be necessary if you feel as though you’re using treats too frequently to train your cat. For more information about your cat’s nutritional needs, you should consult your veterinarian.
- Related Read: Why Do Cats Slap and Swat? Vet-Reviewed Reasons & Tips
Conclusion
If you notice your cat is pawing at the ground, there’s no reason to be concerned. There are a few reasons your cat might paw at the floor, but they are pretty harmless. Most of the reasons are attributed to curiosity.
While your cat pawing at the ground causes no harm to them and usually won’t cause you any harm, it can be annoying, but it can be redirected with patience and love. Above all, keep in mind that your cat’s behavioral concerns can be discussed with your veterinarian for peace of mind.
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Featured Image Credit: Marie Charouzova, Shutterstock
