Wondering Why Do Cats Scratch Furniture? Here’s The Reason!

Sellotape is all over my office chair. It was the quickest and simplest way I could think of to shield my cat’s claws from my most-used piece of furniture.

Cats love to scratch our furniture, and not just any chair or sofa, but our most used or beloved ones, as most cat owners (if not all) would attest.

Cats love to scratch our furniture, and not just any chair or sofa, but our most used or beloved ones, as most cat owners (if not all) would attest.

So why do cats scratch things in our homes?

Below are the three main reasons for this cat behavior:

Sharpening Their Claws

Cats sharpen their claws frequently to preserve their cutting edge, but an interesting fact shows that this is not how cats truly sharpen them.

When we observe a cat scratching, we assume that it is doing it to sharpen its claws, much like we do with our knives. But things don’t work like that.

Cats love to scratch our furniture, and not just any chair or sofa, but our most used or beloved ones, as most cat owners (if not all) would attest.

As the owner of a cat, I frequently discovered claw “covers” all over my house. They are the worn-out outer covering of a claw that cats occasionally “shed.” When a cat scratches something, the top, aged coating of the claw is actually being removed.

So cat scratching is more similar to a snake shedding its old skin than to a real sharpening of the claws.

If you discover a ripped-off claw cover, you could assume your cat did it accidentally, that its claw got caught, or even that it injured itself. However, this is simply routine claw care for your cat and the major cause of cat scratching.

The fact that cats exclusively scratch with their front legs is another really intriguing fact. They use their teeth to remove the outdated claw covering on their hind legs, which I find both fascinating and amusing. I suppose it was impractical or even impossible for them to scratch with their hind legs.

READ MORE: https://disneyfactor.com/how-can-you-tell-if-your-cat-loves-you/

Keeping Muscles Around The Claws Strong

This fact, which the majority of cat owners are unaware of, greatly astonished me when I learned it from my research.

Therefore, in addition to “claw shedding,” a cat keeps its muscles around its claws in good form through scratching.

These muscles control the retraction and extension of claws. Due to the significant roles they play in climbing, cat fighting, and hunting, it is crucial that these muscles are always active and in top condition.

Scent Marking

Another interesting fact about cats is that they use glands on the bottom of their paws to leave their scent behind when they scratch.

Therefore, in addition to “producing biscuits,” your cat is “signaling” the furniture when it does so. Fortunately, humans cannot smell this perfume, so the only damage caused by this process is the scratched substance. Although I’m sure that if we could smell it, we would have forgiven our beloved furry children for everything, including this scent.

If you discover a ripped-off claw cover, you could assume your cat did it accidentally, that its claw got caught, or even that it injured itself. However, this is simply routine claw care for your cat and the major cause of cat scratching.

The fact that cats exclusively scratch with their front legs is another really intriguing fact. They use their teeth to remove the outdated claw covering on their hind legs, which I find both fascinating and amusing. I suppose it was impractical or even impossible for them to scratch with their hind legs.

Have you ever wondered why your cat keeps rubbing up against the couch?

Cats, naturally, adore the furniture that their owners use the most frequently. Most often, a cat will scratch its owner’s favorite couch or chair. The reason for this is that by scratching they mingle their own scent with the scent of their “master”.

Cats are renowned for being finicky when it comes to their cat trees and toys. They still opt for an old item that their owner uses, like a favorite chair, rather than hopping directly onto a new cat tree. The owner’s aroma, which they enjoy rubbing and blending with their own scent, is the cause of this odd behavior.

So here is a piece of advice for you: try placing an unwashed shirt of yours on your cat’s new cat tree or cat furniture if it doesn’t play with it. The cat should recognize the aroma and accept the new item more quickly. While catnip also serves this purpose, I think a scented owner’s clothing will be even more effective.

READ MORE: https://disneyfactor.com/why-do-cats-keep-going-in-and-out-all-the-time/

What Not To Do When Trying To Stop Your Cat From Scratching Furniture

Some cat owners can go insane because of cat scratching. It’s an extremely bad habit, especially if it causes expensive furniture to be damaged.

They therefore decide to trim their cat’s claws.

Please keep in mind that a cat will likely experience great agony during this surgery, which could also alter the animal’s personality and cause psychological harm. The removal of a cat’s vital bodily parts is incredibly cruel.

Cats that have had their claws removed are mutilated, making them less able to engage in numerous natural activities like climbing, hunting, and self-defense. I admonish you to never do this to your cherished cat.