A new study reveals the REAL reason cats scratch furniture – and what to do about it.
Anyone with a clawed-up sofa can confirm that cats scratching furniture is a common complaint. It's also innate behavior – cats need an outlet to satisfy their urge to sharpen their claws through scratching. So what should a frustrated cat lover do?
A new study published in the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science reveals the hidden motives behind claw-sharpening and scratching, and suggests cat-friendly ways to manage this behavior.
The study reveals the hidden motives behind scratching
"Our findings can help caregivers manage and redirect scratching onto appropriate materials, which could help foster a more harmonious living environment for both cats and their caregivers," says Dr. Iasemin Salgirli Demirbas, a veterinary researcher at Ankara University and the study's author.
Researchers surveyed more than 1,200 cat owners in France about their cats' daily habits, personality traits, and scratching behavior. What they found were significant links between scratching behavior and factors such as the presence of children in the home, the cat's temperament, and activity levels.
"We see a clear link between certain environmental and behavioral factors and an increased need for cats to scratch furniture."
Here are the environmental and behavioral factors worth paying attention to if your cat scratches furniture.
"We see a clear link between certain environmental and behavioral factors and increased furniture scratching in cats," explains Dr. Salgirli Demirbas. "Specifically, the presence of children in the home, as well as high levels of play and nighttime activity, significantly contribute to increased scratching. Cats described as aggressive or assertive also showed higher levels of scratching. Stress, such as that caused by small children in the home, was found to be a leading cause of unwanted scratching. The study also found that cats showing high levels of play and nighttime activity scratched furniture more often."
What to do: how to get your cat to stop scratching furniture
Adjusting play sessions and strategically placing scratching posts can help reduce and redirect your cat's scratching.
The good news is that there are strategies that can help curb the unwanted behavior.
Try to provide more scratching posts in the favorite spots where your cat already tends to scratch furniture. Reduce your cat's stress by providing vertical space and hiding spots it can retreat to. Pheromone sprays and diffusers have been shown to promote calm. And play sessions help your cat burn off energy – just be sure to let the cat "catch" its prey so you don't create frustration. According to Dr. Salgirli Demirbas's team, several short play sessions throughout the day that mimic successful hunting scenarios work best.
Although the link between children and increased scratching isn't fully understood, recognizing this as a potential source of stress and giving your cat a way to escape unwanted attention can help save your furniture!