Why Cats Scratch Inappropriately, In keeping with Science

Cats have to scratch. For the well being of their limbs and paws, to mark their territory, and for his or her bodily and psychological properly being basically. That’s a given. However why do some cats scratch a lot, and scratch inappropriate surfaces? Don’t you want there was a scientific research that seemed for solutions?

Nicely, guess what? There’s!

This research, revealed in early July, 2024 by six researchers from 4 totally different international locations, was primarily based on a extremely detailed, 28 web page questionnaire. It seemed on the temperament, habits, and scratching habits of every cat. Additionally the quantity of injury or undesired scratching the cat induced, together with the demographics of every family. Out of the 1211 cats examined for the research, it targeted on 494 cats with a excessive degree of scratching and 361 that had a low degree.

Traits of Excessive Scratchers

Not surprisingly, the excessive scratchers had been seen characteristically as extra disruptive, together with aggressive and harmful. Energetic was a distant second, together with playfulness and boisterousness. As for the cat demographics, no distinction was seen between purebred and blended breed cats, or cats of various genders or weight.

Causes of Extra Scratching

Since inappropriate scratching is commonly an indication of stress, it’s not shocking {that a} greater degree of scratching was present in households with kids. What was extra shocking was that longer playtimes led to extra scratching habits. It’s potential that this could possibly be as a result of the extent of taking part in left the cat overstimulated, they usually wanted to launch the constructed up vitality. Extra nocturnal habits additionally led to the next degree of scratching, one other shock.

Extra Surprises Relating to Scratching Surfaces

You’d suppose one of many causes for inappropriate scratching habits was the dearth of acceptable scratching surfaces or placement. This wasn’t all the time the case! Among the excessive scratchers had acceptable surfaces in excessive visitors areas of their houses. And that is imagined to be the correct place to place them. There might probably be two causes for this. Perhaps the scratching floor wanted to be positioned in a extra fascinating spot within the room. Or the cat had an emotional have to act out and scratch inappropriately.

Advanced and Tailor-made Options

This research reveals that fixing a cat’s inappropriate scratching will not be so simple as shopping for a bunch of various scratching surfaces and scattering them round the home. Stress, overstimulation, and ingrained habits all play a component in why a cat scratches in locations they shouldn’t. Every cat’s scenario is totally different, however listed below are some issues to think about.

1. Is your cat is scratching issues they shouldn’t regardless of having plenty of scratchers? Take into account that one thing could also be stressing them out, or inflicting them territorial insecurity. If altering placement of the scratching surfaces doesn’t assist, think about wanting on the cat’s general day-to-day life and seeing what could also be upsetting them.
    
2. When you have kids in the home, or when you’ve got them over typically, work on enhancing your cat’s life when they’re round. This might imply something from educating kids to be extra mild and calm with the cat to holding the cat away from kids altogether. Some cats love children (I do!), however different cats actually have issue with them.
    
3. Work out what works greatest to your playtime periods together with your cat. In case your play periods go away your cat overstimulated, shorten the time you play, and ensure to wind it down on the finish. Permit the cat to catch no matter “prey” the toy represents, and provides them a deal with while you’re achieved in order that they really feel they achieved their “hunt.” And when you’ve got an lively cat however you solely play with them sporadically, begin scheduling in common periods to maintain their vitality entering into a greater course.

I hope you discover these recommendations useful! What did you consider this research? Did a few of it shock you too? Let’s talk about it within the feedback.