Why Cats Need to Scratch

Have you ever caught your cat scratching on your furniture? They stand on their hind legs, put their claws against it and scratch away, it's cute but can be frustrating if they're doing it on your furniture! In this post I'll cover why cats like to scratch on things, and how to make sure they're scratching on on object intended for that purpose instead of your furniture.

Cats scratch for two main reasons. The first is to keep their claws in good shape. A cat in the wild depends on their claws for survival, they use their claws to catch and kill prey. It's important to make sure those claws are in good shape, and scratching helps keep them filed down, healthy, and strong. The second reason is to mark their territory. Cats have scent glands in their paws, and when they scratch things, their scent rubs off. Other cats can smell these markings on objects, and when they do they recognize the space as another cat's territory. In the wild, cats often scratch on tree bark both to keep their claws healthy and mark their territory.

For these reasons, cats have a natural instinct to scratch on things, and it's important we let them so their claws stay healthy and they feel comfortable in their homes, knowing their territory is protected by their scent markings. We want them to be able to scratch, but we don't want them to ruin our furniture, of course! Providing your cat with a scratcher solves both problems. Scratchers are naturally appealing for cats to scratch on, being made out of durable materials that feel satisfying on cats' claws. Cats will prefer the feel of the scratcher to the feel of furniture, so if a scratcher is placed in their territory, they will usually choose to scratch on the scratcher rather than the furniture. You can place several around your home to ensure your cat has options to scratch and different places to mark their territory.

There are many different types of scratchers available. Scratching posts are excellent options because they stand tall similar to the trees that cats would scratch on in the wild, making them naturally appealing. Scratcher beds are excellent options as well; they provide the cat both with something to scratch and a place to rest, and having a place to rest near or on their territory marker helps them feel safe and secure. Scratchers can also be combined with toys to make exciting activity centres, such as ball track scratchers, which are especially popular with kittens! Scratchers are usually made with one of three materials; paper rope, plant fibre rope or cardboard. Paper rope is cost efficient and easily replaceable, making it a very popular option for any cat. Plant fibre rope, such as sisal or fique, is loved for its durability, making it excellent for cats that are especially enthusiastic about scratching, multi-cat households, or cat parents who value longevity and low-maintenance in scratchers. Finally, cardboard is commonly used on board and bowl scratchers because it suits the shape, is cost efficient and easy to replace. All three of these options are naturally appealing to cats' claws and environmentally friendly. Each of them has a different feel for the cat, and different cats prefer different materials. It's a good idea to provide your cat with different types of scratchers to appeal to different needs, and to experiment to find the material your cat prefers!

We carry a wide range of scratchers to appeal to any cat and household. Come visit us in-store to see and feel them for yourself, or browse our selection online!