Why Do Cats Scratch? 4 Vet-Reviewed Reasons for This Behavior

Have you lost count of how many times you’ve had to stop your cat from scratching your couch, carpet, or curtains? While cat scratching is nothing new to their owners, you may be left wondering why your feline participates in this activity. Scratching is perfectly normal cat behavior and is used to keep their claws in top form, stretch their muscles and back, and as a means of marking their territory and communicating with other cats.

Here, we’ll fully explore what cat scratching is, the top reasons behind it, and how to curb your kitty from ripping your prized possessions to shreds.

What Is Cat Scratching?

Also known as stropping, cat scratching is when a feline drags their claws across a vertical or horizontal surface. Many cats will scratch at something that sparks their interest, such as a textured or coarse surface. It’s a normal and healthy behavior that cats often use to mark their territory, sharpen their claws, or to prepare for physical activity by having a good body stretch.

While cat scratching may be a bothersome behavior from an owner perspective, you should never attempt to put an end to it. Cats have been scratching various surfaces for a very long time, and this instinctive behavior can be kept under control by ensuring they have plenty of scratching posts and get enough physical and mental stimulation every day.

The 4 Reasons Why Cats Scratch

The top reasons behind your cat’s scratching include the following:

1. Honing Their Nails

Cats will scratch to loosen and remove the dead outer husk of their claw and reveal the sharp, new claw beneath.

2. Exercise

Scratching is a wonderful form of exercise for cats. Do you love stretching out your back and neck when you first wake up? Your kitty certainly does! During a scratching session, your cat can efficiently stretch their back, legs, and paws. Best of all, they can also enjoy some pampering time when they clean and sharpen their claws.

3. Instinct

Your fluffy feline friend’s wild ancestors scratched tree trunks to keep their claws fresh and sharp for the hunt while leaving their mark for the other cats to find. 

All cats have an ingrained urge to scratch. It’s important to cater to these natural instincts by providing your cat with something to scratch, such as a kitty scratching post.

4. Territory

A cat will feel most relaxed in a space they can call their own. In order to communicate that your living room is also theirs, they may scratch at the sofa or carpet in order to mark their scent and presence to other animals, particularly if they like the texture.

This may be more commonly done by insecure and anxious cats, those living in a multi-cat household, or in case of new neighborhood cats that are coming close to your home. Cats that have outdoor access will scratch in various areas in the garden while leaving their mark and scent from the glands in their paws, letting the neighboring cats know that this is their territory.

Stopping Your Cat from Inappropriate Scratching

While you fully accept your cat’s need to scratch, you may not like it when they do it to your beloved sofa.

Here are some tips to keep your kitty from inappropriate scratching:

One of our preferred scratchers, the Hepper Hi-Lo Modern Cat Scratcher, is a surefire way to keep your kitty out of trouble (or at least away from scratching the things they should not!). It's not only stylish, but it's functional as well. It's made of sturdy cardboard with a durable plywood and metal frame and can be set up in three different ways – high, low, or lower. The different positions encourage maximum engagement, exercise and stretching, and of course, intense scratching (they can throw their whole body into it). 

With the Hepper Hi-Lo, your cat gets to have a blast scratching like a maniac, and you don't have to worry about them causing so much chaos or scratching your stuff. There are even replacement cardboard pieces available, so you really can let your cat go to town on this, and know that it will be long lasting. Click here to learn more about this awesome scratcher.

At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest, so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!

Scratching is a natural and instinctive behavior for all cats. They do it to exercise, mark their territory, and keep their claws sharp.

If you want to keep your cat from scratching your carpet or furniture, provide an alternative scratcher. Select a scratching post that is made from natural materials, thus making it more appealing to your cat, and place it strategically in the area where they tend to scratch the most. Ensure that each cat has at least one scratching post. 

If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your pet, seek veterinary advice for the best course of action.

Cat Scratching: The Bottom Line

The veterinary community is strongly opposed to declawing procedures because these are inappropriate, painful, and unjustifiable methods. Plus, cats need their claws to perform multiple daily functions. Scratching is a normal behavior in cats, and if their environment is safe, stimulating, and enriching, it is unlikely they will display excessive scratching. Speak to a vet or feline behaviorist if you think your cat is scratching excessively, as it could be a sign of an underlying issue. 

Yes, cats scratch. However, you can redirect unwanted scratching and keep your prized possessions safe while still allowing your cat to indulge their inner urges.

Looking for some cat-scratching options? Try our  Best Wall Mounted Cat Scratchers!

• Related Read: Can Cats Detect Mold? 

Featured Image Credit: RJ22, Shutterstock