Why Do Cats Scratch?
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A Natural Behavior
Cats scratch to meet physical, emotional or social needs. It’s a natural behavior that we can’t stop — and we shouldn’t try to. Asking our cats not to scratch would be like asking a bird not to fly. Instead, we can provide our cats with appropriate outlets for scratching.
Scent Marking
One of the ways cats mark their scent is through scratching, which sends messages to other animals in the area, marks their territory and helps them soothe themselves. In fact, cats use scratching similarly to how dogs often mark objects with pee. Cats have scent glands between their toes that release their scent when they scratch.
So, what are they trying to communicate through scratching and scent marking?
- Marking territory: “This is my object or area!”
- Frustration or overstimulation: “I’m so frustrated or overstimulated, I don’t know what else to do with myself!”
- Check out: Impulse Control, Overstimulation, DSCC & Choice (YouTube playlist)
- Boredom: “I need something to do.”
- For boredom busters, check out: Enrichment: Brain Games for Mental Health (article) and Enrichment Resources (YouTube playlist)
- Excitement: “I’m so excited, I want to play!”
- Fear, anxiety or stress: “I’m nervous and stressed. Give me space!” or “This calms me down!”
- Relaxation or happiness: “I love it here!”
There are many different reasons for scratching, which is exactly why scratching is such an important, necessary and multipurpose behavior for cats!
Reasons for Scratching:
Maintaining Nails, Stress Relief and Stretching
As cats’ claws grow, the outer layer, called a sheath, must come off — like how snakes shed their skin. If a cat is unable to scratch to remove the sheaths, it can cause irritation and discomfort.
But scratching doesn’t just help maintain a cat’s nails — it also feels good! Scratching stretches the shoulder and back and leaves behind a happy scent. Because it feels good and is a natural behavior, most cats are very motivated to scratch.
Play and Expelling Excess Energy
Exciting, high-energy play can motivate a cat to scratch because they want to mark their play territory or are feeling overstimulated or happy. If they are feeling excited, overstimulated or frustrated, scratching helps them cope with these big feelings. This is similar to how going for a run can help release excess energy or stress for humans!
Attention-Seeking Behavior
Our pets are very good at picking up on patterns, so they may notice that every time they scratch the furniture, they get a reaction out of their humans. Whether the reaction is “bad” like yelling or punishing, or a “good” reaction, like trying to pet them to distract them, cats perceive this as attention. They can learn to scratch the furniture when they want attention.
Check out: How Animals Learn & Why Behavior Works! (YouTube playlist)
Appropriate Scratching vs Inappropriate Scratching
So we know that scratching is a natural behavior that serves many purposes, but that doesn’t mean that cats always scratch on appropriate surfaces. Our cats don’t automatically know what they can and can’t scratch because it’s something pet parents decide. That means we must teach our cats what’s meant for kitty claws in the house and what’s not!
To help with this, check out our article: Behavior Challenges: Inappropriate Scratching.