Why Cats Like to Scratch

Scratching is a normal part of cat behavior and serves several functions, including conditioning of the claws, providing a means of stretching and acting as a marker (both olfactory, or scent, and visual).  Cats like to scratch!  The act of scratching actually removes frayed and worn outer claws, exposing new, sharper ones.  However, what is normal cat behavior can become frustrating to deal with for cat owners.  Particularly when the cat in question starts destroying furniture or even scratching members of the family or groomer.

The vast majority of cats will live happy, non-furnitue-destroying lives without being declawed, and a few extra steops taken by the caring paet parent can help to ensure this is the case.  In most cases, problem scratching can be prevented with environmental and behavioral management.

In some cases, keeping the cat away from the area that is being damaged is the simplest solution to the problems.  Another variation is to allow the cat to have access to whatever is being scratched inappropriately, but to make that area unattractive to the cat while making a more appropriate area more attractive.  many cats scratch the couch because they simply do not have another option with appropriate posts to do so.  Hopefully, your cat is not scratching but you are trying to pre-empt a problem.

 

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