Many cat owners will be familiar with torn cushions, ripped couches and damaged carpets, but scientists have now identified effective ways to help your feline and save your furniture.
According to a new paper in Veterinary Science, having children in the household, along with high levels of play and night-time activities, can amplify stress and contribute to excessive scratching in domestic cats.
The researchers, who surveyed 1,200 cat owners in France, also found that cats described as aggressive or disruptive scratched more often.
From regular play sessions to providing high resting spots, several strategies can apparently help prevent cats from scratching.
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“Here we show that certain factors – such as the presence of children at home, personality traits of cats, and their activity levels – significantly impact the extent of scratching behavior,” said Dr. Yasemin Salgirli Demirbas, a veterinary researcher at Ankara University and first author of the study.
While scratching is an innate feline behavior, essential for maintaining claw health, marking territory and communicating with other cats, it can strain the relationship between owners and their furry friends.
Fortunately, the researchers suggest several strategies that owners can adopt to reduce this frustrating habit.
For example, placing scratching posts in areas where cats frequently pass or near their favourite resting spots can be very efficacious.
Additionally, providing safe hiding places, elevated observation spots for cats to “survey their kingdom,” and ample play opportunities can help alleviate stress and engage them in more constructive activities.
Crucially, Dr. Salgirli Demirbas explained that establishing multiple short play sessions that mimic successful hunting scenarios is a particularly fruitful approach.
These play sessions not only keep cats stimulated and happy, reducing stress and thus scratching, but also strengthen the bond between felines and their caretakers.
“Understanding the underlying emotional motivations of scratching behavior, such as frustration, which seem to be linked to personality traits and environmental factors, allows caregivers to address these issues directly,” Dr. Salgirli Demirbas added. “Our findings can help caregivers manage and redirect scratching to appropriate materials, which could help foster a more harmonious living environment for both cats and their caregivers.”
The study authors have gained unique and valuable insights into cats’ scratching tendencies. Moving forward, their goal is to develop additional, improved strategies for managing this behavior, ultimately nurturing stronger connections between cats and those who care for them.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.