Does your cat, a gentle, faithful companion, cause you concern? When you come home in the evening, do you find scratches on your furniture daily?
If you have been scratching furniture to find out what is bothering you, it might be time to get help. Scratching can be a behavioral sign of an irritated cat. There are many possible reasons why your cat has been scratching furniture, so it is essential to identify the cause to find the solution.
It is like every cat scratching its environment, but there are some tricks to limit the damage!
Cats are known for their erratic behavior, which includes scratching furniture and carpets. Limiting the cat’s access is the best way to protect your home from unwanted scratches. You can do this by regularly placing a cat scratcher house or mat near where it likes to scratch and trimming its nails.
Why is my cat scratching furniture, and how to keep cats from scratching furniture?
The cat, like all felines, needs to mark its territory. Thus, it deposits pheromones within its pads throughout its territory. This is why your cat chooses strategic places visible to all to leave its traces. This “scratching” behavior is acquired from birth by imitation.
By scratching your furniture, he sharpens his claws, eliminates fragments of dead claws, and plays sports. So naturally, your cat needs to exert itself: scratching your furniture is an activity like any other!
This physical activity also leads to a highlighting posture. You may have noticed that the claw marks are always left high up. This is how the cat stretches, clinging to its favorite piece of furniture.
Also, scratching is a way to relieve stress. A change in his habit, for example, a sudden departure from home, moving furniture, or moving house can lead to stress in the animal. The cat will try to alleviate this stress by scratching. Finally, you can consider buying a cat tower to relieve your stress. A classic cat tower may not be enough if your cat is active. You might think of the cat tower is for large cats. It will better meet your cat’s needs.
The sex of the animal also plays a role: a male will be more likely to mark his territory than a female. It will then scratch your furniture more frequently and more extensively.
In general, young cats scratch their environment more frequently. But, in adulthood, some keep this annoying habit…
Where does my cat scratch? Anywhere!
Cats of all ages will particularly appreciate rough surfaces, similar to the bark of a tree. Such as your dog’s indoor dog house. It is then necessary to furnish its interior according to this characteristic.
For example, choose a sofa in leather or imitation leather: this very smooth surface will be much less appreciated by your cat and, therefore, less scratched. On the contrary, your cat will mark its territory on solid wood furniture or rough surfaces, such as bricks. If he shares the house with a dog, it may leave deep marks on his belongings, for example, the dog cave bed.
Your cat will also like wooden furniture: chairs made of bars, table legs, window surrounds…
Close to his sleeping place, litter box, and the most familiar areas. The front and living room doors are privileged places to mark your territory.
Also, pay attention to the wall covering you choose: cats appreciate the texture of the wallpaper more than anything. So if your walls are covered with them, you will necessarily find scratches.
If your cat has an outdoor playground, it will have marking areas! So do not hesitate to observe it; you will undoubtedly notice places of passage on which it affixes its claws.