The problem of inappropriate cat scratching is so frustrating!
Cat parents facing this problem sometimes consider cat declawing, some try cat scratching posts, and others look for cat behavior training advice on how to stop cats scratching furniture.
It is possible to solve cat scratching problems, for good!
Why Do Cat Scratch Furniture and Carpets?
4 Reasons Cats Scratch:
Instinct:
Cats need to sharpen their claws. Why? In the wild, they need those sharp claws for hunting, as we know.
And although they get all their nutrition from the food dish nowadays, they still have those animal instincts.
Just as we humans have tendencies that go way back to our ancestors and survival, such as the need for socialization and belonging, felines still have this need to sharpen their claws. It's something we have to accept, and work with!
Physical Health Benefits:
There are physical reasons for cats to scratch, too. When you see a cat scratching furniture (or woodwork, or his cat scratching post) his whole body is benefiting.
He is stretching his muscles and body. It's good for his overall health.
That regular stretching keeps him in top condition, which will pay off in his senior years. He may have better joint health as a result.
The Importance of a Good Stretch:
A cat will "hook" his claws into a cat scratching post or other surface, and then he can stretch the muscles in his legs, back, shoulders, and paws.
He pulls back against his own claw-hold, and this is the only way he can tone these muscles.
...continue reading Cats Scratching Furniture
