Ava Monroe
Cats scratch to meet their physical and emotional needs. Scratching helps cats shed the outer layers of their claws, which can become worn down or frayed, and expose sharper claws. It also stretches and tones the muscles of the feet, legs, shoulders, and back. However, if a cat's claws are not regularly maintained, they can become overgrown, dull, and excessively long, which can cause discomfort and issues like snagging. To prevent this, it is important to provide cats with appropriate scratching surfaces, encourage regular scratching behavior, and trim their claws. Scratching posts are usually a good alternative, but cats can also be trained to scratch in specific areas through positive reinforcement.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Frequency of scratching | Scratching is an instinctive behavior for cats, and some cats scratch more than others. |
| Reasons for scratching | To lay claim to their territory, protect themselves, and reveal sharper nails. |
| Scratching and nail health | Scratching promotes nail health as it helps remove the outer nail sheath, which needs to be shed as the nails grow. |
| Overgrown nails | Overgrown nails can cause discomfort for the cat, leading to issues like snagging, difficulty retracting the claws, or uncomfortable walking. |
| Scratching posts | Scratching posts provide a safe way for cats to engage in their natural scratching behavior and maintain nail health. |
| Nail trimming | Keeping a cat's claws trimmed is good grooming and will reduce damage caused by sharp nails. |
| Declawing | Declawing is harmful to cats and is banned in many states. It can cause pain, infection, tissue necrosis, and even lameness. |
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What You'll Learn
Scratching is instinctual
Scratching is an instinctual behaviour in cats, passed down from their ancestors. In the wild, cats scratch surfaces to mark their territory, protect themselves, and keep their claws in good condition. Domesticated cats exhibit the same behaviour, scratching to fulfil their natural instincts.
Cats have scent glands on their paw pads, and they leave their scent on objects they scratch. This behaviour is a way for cats to communicate with other animals and even humans. They enjoy their scent and find it reassuring, so they may scratch to make their environment feel more familiar.
Scratching also helps cats maintain the health of their claws. It enables them to remove the outer sheaths of their claws, which need to be shed as their claws grow. Scratching on appropriate surfaces, such as scratching posts, helps cats shed the outer layers of their claws, revealing new, sharper layers underneath. This process is important for nail health, as excessively long or dull claws can cause discomfort and issues like snagging, difficulty retracting the claws, or uncomfortable walking.
Additionally, scratching provides cats with a full-body stretch, helping to keep their muscles and joints flexible. It is common for cats to have a stretch-and-scratch session upon waking to prepare for activities such as running, stalking, and pouncing.
While scratching is a natural and instinctual behaviour for cats, it can become a problem for cat owners when it results in damage to household items. To manage this behaviour, owners can provide their cats with appropriate scratching surfaces, encourage regular scratching on these surfaces, and trim their cats' claws when needed. By understanding that scratching is instinctual for cats and providing them with alternatives to furniture and other valuable items, owners can help satisfy their cats' natural scratching drive.
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Scratching maintains nail health
Cats scratch to maintain nail health. Scratching helps cats shed the outer sheath of their claws, which is made of keratin, the same material as human nails. As cats use their claws for various activities, the outer layer can become worn down, frayed, or dull. Regular scratching on appropriate surfaces, such as scratching posts, helps cats remove this outer layer, revealing a sharper, healthier inner layer.
If cats do not have access to suitable scratching surfaces or do not scratch regularly, the outer layer of their claws can accumulate and become dull or overgrown. This can cause discomfort and issues such as snagging, difficulty retracting the claws, or walking difficulties. Therefore, it is important to provide cats with appropriate scratching surfaces, such as scratchers or posts, and encourage regular scratching behaviour.
Scratching is a natural and instinctive behaviour for cats, and they will find a way to scratch even if proper locations or materials are not provided. In the wild, cats may scratch trees to mark their territory, while indoor cats may scratch posts, door frames, or furniture. It is important to understand that cats do not scratch out of spite but due to their basic needs and instincts.
While scratching helps maintain nail health, it does not keep nails short or blunt their sharpness. Cats' nails still require routine trimming to prevent them from becoming too long or sharp, which can cause issues such as getting caught on fabrics or injuring their paws. The frequency of nail trimming will depend on the cat's age, activity level, and nail growth rate, but it is generally recommended to trim nails every two to four weeks.
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Scratching marks territory
Scratching is a normal and healthy behaviour for cats. It is an instinctual behaviour passed down from their ancestors. In the wild, cats scratch to lay claim to their territory, protect themselves, and reveal sharper nails. Domesticated cats scratch for the same reasons.
Cats have scent glands on their paw pads, and they leave their scent on objects as they scratch them. This is one way that cats mark their territory. Scratching also leaves a visual mark, which is another way that cats communicate their ownership of a space.
Cats will often scratch items that smell strongly of their owners, such as bedding and clothing. They do this to feel closer to their owners and to mark their territory. This behaviour is a way for cats to communicate and should not be punished.
If a cat feels threatened by another cat, they may begin to scratch more frequently as a way to mark their territory. This can also happen if a cat feels insecure in their own home, such as when another cat uses their cat flap. To deter this behaviour, try to block the cat's view, especially at ground level, as cats feel safer when they are higher up.
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Scratching alternatives
Cats scratch to promote nail health, as the outer nail husk is shed during scratching, revealing a healthier, sharper claw. It is a natural behaviour that cannot be stopped, but it can be redirected. Scratching also helps cats mark their territory, relieve stress, and stretch and flex their muscles.
If you don't have a scratcher, your cat may direct this behaviour onto your furniture instead. It is important to provide cats with appropriate scratching surfaces, such as scratching posts, to help them maintain nail health and prevent claws from becoming excessively long or dull.
- Scratching posts made of woven sisal are durable and inexpensive. They are better than carpeted posts, which can shred and pill more easily.
- Scratching pads should be large enough for the cat to stand on while scratching. Smaller pads will move around, frustrating the cat.
- Wood is another alternative, as some cats like to scratch on wooden surfaces.
- Scratching mats are also available, made from woven sisal or with areas of sisal rope for scratching.
- Wall-mounted scratchers can be a good option to save space, and can be made from cardboard or woven sisal.
To encourage your cat to use these alternatives, place them in areas where your cat spends the most time. If your cat naturally scratches in a certain place, you may want to put a scratcher there. Having multiple scratchers in different locations can also help your cat find an appropriate place to scratch.
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Trimming cat nails
Cats' claws are meant to be sharp, but they can get too sharp or too long. Scratching posts can help keep their claws in check for a while, but they will eventually need a trim. If your cat's claws are getting snagged on things like carpets or their favourite scratching posts, it's time for a trim. Even if they're just a little on the long side, they could still catch on things and break, causing pain for your cat.
Before you start, make sure you have everything within reach. You don't want to have to interrupt your nail trimming session. Calm nerves and plenty of patience are also important. It's best to trim your cat's nails in a quiet area of your home, away from kids, other pets, or startling noises. This will help keep your cat calm, making cutting their nails easier. If your cat has long hair around their paws, make sure it's pulled back and out of the way so you can see what you're doing.
When trimming, cut only about 2mm from the end of the quick, which is the pink-coloured part of the nail nearest the toe that contains blood vessels and nerves. Cutting the quick will hurt your cat and make them bleed. Since most cats have clear nails, it's easy to locate and avoid the pink part of the nail. As long as you only trim the white part of the nail, you're in the clear. Rather than cutting straight across, aim for a 45-degree angle, which lets the nail rest comfortably on the ground when your cat walks. Use firm, decisive pressure to cut the nail; a softer, more tentative approach can accidentally crush the nail, rather than cut it cleanly.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, cats may scratch more when their nails are longer. Longer nails can become snagged on things, prompting the cat to scratch to remove the outer sheath of their claws. Scratching is also an instinctual behaviour for cats, as it helps them mark their territory and protect themselves.
To prevent excessive scratching, provide your cat with appropriate scratching surfaces, such as scratching posts, and encourage regular scratching behaviour. You should also trim your cat's nails every two to four weeks, or when they start getting snagged on things.
There could be several reasons for this. Your cat may be experiencing underlying anxiety or stress, or there could be an underlying illness causing them stress or pain. If you are concerned about your cat's behaviour, it is best to consult a veterinarian.
