By: Nina He

Cats are one of the most adored pets in the world. Their cute, chubby looks can make even the most cold-hearted person go “Aww!” But they all have one bad habit: scratching. Cats love scratching. From couches to chairs and even to mattresses, it should be no surprise to cat owners that cats like to scratch.

Maybe people mistake cat scratching as sharpening their claws, but cats scratch for a variety of reasons. Cat claws grow just like fingernails, and they scratch to remove the outer layers, called a sheath, like when we cut our nails. Also, it feels good to scratch. When cats scratch, they stretch their shoulder and back muscles. Needless to say, cats love scratching.

A study found that another factor to scratching may be because of their stress and frustration, caused by the presence of children, prolonged play time, and nocturnal activity.

But by doing this, lots of furniture are destroyed. This disruptive behavior is making many cat owners rethink their choice of being a cat parent. But don’t worry: there are some solutions to this.

Many cats prefer scratching vertically, while others prefer horizontal scratching boards. It’s vital to see which way your cat likes to scratch in order to give them an appropriate scratching board that both cat and parent will enjoy. Place these boards near a place that the cat likes to sleep.

Another way to prevent scratching is by shortening their play time and mimicking successful hunts, which can help limit their stress.

So, next time you see your kitty, don’t be quick to chide them. Just think about what would happen if you were a cat—you would want to scratch as well! By understanding the reasons behind your cat’s scratch, you can find choices that save both money and tears, while still keeping you kitty stress-free and happy.

Image Credit by Jasmine Pang