Cat owners know the drama of coming home to find a couch or corner of the furniture torn apart by their cats’ claws. Study Published today (3) in the Journal of Frontiers in Veterinary Sciences The causes and triggers that led 1,211 French cats to damage household furniture were identified. The findings could help guardians better understand the problem and implement more effective and friendly interventions.
The study raises several factors that influence scratching behavior. The data suggests that the “scratch index” is the same across cats of all traits, genders, weights, and whether or not they are neutered. In other words: No matter what your cat looks like, she will scratch.
“We noticed a clear link between some environmental and behavioural factors and increased scratching behaviour in cats,” he explained. Yasmine Salgerli Demirbas, a veterinary researcher at Ankara University and co-author of the study.
“Specifically, the presence of children in the home, as well as high levels of late-night play and activity, significantly contribute to increased scratching behavior. Cats described as aggressive or noisy also showed higher levels of scratching,” says Demirbas.
According to the researchers, stress is one of the main causes of unwanted scratching. Having children, especially young ones, can put stress on pets – which take them onto your couch. The authors highlight that the relationship between increased scratching and having children in the home is not fully understood and that more study is needed on this topic.
The authors do not recommend getting rid of your children or cats to save your furniture, but there are interventions that can be taken to mitigate this behavior.
Other factors that may be linked to stress include play and nocturnal activities. While play itself isn’t all bad, long play sessions can increase a cat’s stress levels due to constant stimulation, causing them to lay on the arm of a couch or under a piece of furniture.
One suggestion to avoid unwanted scratches is to play with your cat but in short, frequent sessions, especially those that simulate successful hunting scenarios. “Providing safe hiding places, high vantage points, and ample play opportunities can also help relieve stress and engage your cat in more positive activities,” says Salgerli Demirbas.
Nighttime behaviors such as intense play and vocalizations are often the result of insufficient stimulation or interaction during the day, and can also be a way to get attention. Although they are naturally nocturnal, cats can adapt to the human diurnal schedule if they have structured, engaging activities during the day. This adjustment can also reduce stress and help maintain your furniture.
Other alternatives are to place scratching posts in areas where the cat moves a lot or in places where it prefers to rest. “Understanding the emotional motivations behind scratching behavior allows caregivers to address these issues directly,” said Salgerli Demirbas.
Although this is an instinctive behavior for cats, it often causes distress and leads owners to make drastic decisions, such as surgically removing their cats’ claws. This practice, called onychotectomy, involves cutting the bone from which the claws grow with a scalpel or laser. Veterinary authorities and animal welfare associations oppose this procedure, which is painful and traumatic and can leave permanent consequences.
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