Scratching is part of normal behaviour for cats but not always appreciated by cat owners! Cats like to scratch anything they can get their claws into, whether it's a scratching post, corrugated cardboard or wallpaper and furniture.

So, if your cat's scratching furniture, carpets and causing damage to other areas in your home, here are some tips on why they scratch and how to prevent it becoming a problem.

Why Do Cats Scratch?

Cats use their claws for hunting, fighting and climbing, and scratching keeps their claws in good condition. But cat scratching is also a way cats leave a message for other cats on their patch!

There are scent glands under a cat’s claws and when they drag them down a surface, the scent is deposited. Cats mark their territory by this doing this. The scratch marks and the discarded claw husks also act as a visual sign for the other cats.

Indoor cats and those with little access to outdoor space will typically find one or two places in the home to carry out their scratching behaviour. Cats tend to prefer tall, sturdy objects with a vertical weave like the back of a sofa, table legs or door posts. These are all ideal targets! And if you always interact with your cat when they scratch inappropriately, you could be reinforcing their behaviour - they may continue to scratch here to get your attention.

If cats scratch indoors in lots of areas, at doorways and window frames, your cat may be feeling insecure – perhaps you’ve changed something in their environment or there's a new cat causing them stress. If internal doorways are a target, this is an area where cats in multi-cat households have to pass each other. If an external doorway or window frame is routinely scratched, then your cat may feel threatened by a neighbouring cat coming into your garden.

Remember never to punish your cat for scratching in inappropriate places. This will just add to their anxiety and make the problem worse. And if they scratch to get your attention, then their action has succeeded by your interaction with them!

Why Does My Cat Scratch the Floor After Eating?

Cats scratching the floor after eating is another instinctive behaviour. Your cat may be marking their territory, trying to remove food from their claws, trying to cover up and to hide their traces, or hiding uneaten food for later. Food caching (burying and hiding their food) is normal feline behaviour.

Floors can be protected using a feeding mat if needed. If this behaviour bothers you, you could also try putting out less food or removing the food bowl as soon as your cat has finished eating. Using a puzzle feeder is another option.

Why Does My Cat Scratch Me?

Playing with a cat or kitten can sometimes end up with some unwanted scratches. To prevent play attacks and scratches, avoid rough play with kittens. Don’t let them play with your fingers (or feet) as they’ll think this is an acceptable part of a game.

If a kitten or cat learns they get a response from this behaviour (you might run, yell or scream), it reinforces the play and in turn their predatory behaviour. Inappropriate play behaviour in kittens can lead to behaviour being interpreted as aggressive behaviour in adult cats.

Cats can also scratch (or bite) you if they feel threatened or have had enough of your attention. By learning their cat body language signals, you’ll know when they want to interact with you and when it’s best to leave them alone.

If you are scratched (or bitten), always wash the affected area with soap and water to prevent infection. An infected cat scratch may need antibiotics and there’s a risk of a condition known as cat scratch disease (bartonellosis).

This is a disease that can be passed on to humans, especially those with suppressed immune systems, by infected cats via a scratch or bite. Cats rarely show signs of infection themselves. The disease is caused by the bacterium Bartonella hensellae that’s present in the blood of infected cats and spread via fleas and ticks. It can cause flu-like symptoms in people and cat scratch treatment with antibiotics will be needed.

How to Stop Cats from Scratching

Encourage your cat to use a cat scratch post or cat scratch mat. Make sure the base of the scratching post is sturdy and the post is tall enough for your cat to fully stretch out and drag their claws down it. The post should also have a vertical weave, so they don’t snag their claws when scratching (cats won’t scratch horizontally). Praise your cat for using these places - if they continue to use other places, distract them with a toy, treat or their favourite game.

If your cat still prefers furniture, wallpaper, doorways and carpets as a scratching surface, these can be covered up by attaching a thick plastic sheet over them. Place their scratching post next to the scratched area and praise your cat or give them a treat when they use it.

Once the cat consistently uses the scratching post, it can be moved to your preferred area, and you can remove the protective plastic sheeting. An anti-scratch spray may also be worth a try to discourage your cat scratching if other methods aren’t working.

Scratching is natural cat behaviour. Always provide your cat with a scratching post or your furniture and soft furnishings may be used instead! The problem of inappropriate indoor scratching is usually easily resolved but if the unwanted behaviour continues, ask your vet for advice. They can refer you to a cat behaviour specialist if needed.

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Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Felis - www.vetlexicon.com/treat/felis

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.