What I’ve learnt being a cat owner about understanding Your Cat’s Instincts

But like many, I am typically left questioning why cats scratch, particularly when I’m on high of standard flea remedy. This age-old query is likely to be in your thoughts should you personal one in every of these superb creatures. Cats include loads of entertaining quirks, however many house owners battle to handle their scratching instincts.

After a whole lot of analysis and trial and error, I assumed I’d assist unpick this innate behaviour that can assist you perceive and assist your cat’s want to scratch – with out inflicting an excessive amount of harm to your private home alongside the way in which!

Why do cats scratch?

Cats scratch as an instinctive behaviour for a number of causes. These embrace:

1. Grooming and upkeep, preserving the claws sharp
2. Stress reduction, with the motion itself releasing dopamine
3. Scent marking, which is quite common in multi-cat households
4. Play, both alone or with different cats
5. Motion, via stretching and lengthening their legs

Can scratching posts assist?

Giving your cat a selected place in the home to scratch is likely one of the finest issues to do as an proprietor. This provides them a protected approach to scratch, which is a a lot better resolution than making an attempt to suppress the behaviour.

There’s an extremely big selection obtainable, with some together with completely different designs and textures to fit your automobile. From carpet-covered posts to these with jute, cat scratching posts provide a positive outlet. By no means discourage scratching – it normally means your cat feels snug.

What are the bodily advantages of scratching?

Scratching retains cats feeling good. A number of of the bodily advantages embrace:

1. Sharpening claws: The motion itself works to take away the highest layer, often known as the sheath, preserving claws sharp and prepared for motion.
2. Strengthened muscle tissues: Paired with full physique stretching, scratching helps cats to maintain feeling versatile and limber.
3. Digestive well being: This motion releases endorphins and helps to present cats wholesome digestion.

Learn how to tackle problematic scratching

Extreme scratching may level to an underlying subject. As a result of they use this behaviour to precise how they really feel, an excessive amount of scratching may level to an overstimulated or stressed cat.

For cats scratching excessively as a result of stress or boredom, it might be time to discover potential options. These might embrace interactive toys, extra enriching environments, or asking your vet for tailor-made recommendation.

 

Scratching for each cat

Keep in mind, scratching is crucial for all cats, no matter whether or not they reside indoors or open air. However right here’s how one can assist your cat to get all of the scratching they want based mostly on their residing preparations:

For outside cats, scratching helps mark territory and keep their claws for climbing or self-defence. Depart tough surfaces, wood benches or fences in your backyard to assist them follow.

Indoor cats rely extra closely on designated scratching retailers, reminiscent of cat scratching posts, since they lack entry to pure scratching surfaces like bushes.

Permitting your cat to scratch supplies bodily and psychological enrichment. Irrespective of their way of life, be sure to can cater to this innate want for a glad and fulfilled feline buddy.