Understanding why cats scratch could help protect your furniture

Having a cat at home can be stressful. Owners of these four-legged friends have experienced this more than once when they saw their pets destroying furniture. Scientists know why cats scratch and have advice on how to prevent it.

Scientists explored the issue of cat scratching causing furniture damage. Their findings were published in the scientific journal "Frontiers in Veterinary Science". A team of scientists investigated what influences the intensity and frequency of cat scratching.

Cats have a natural tendency to scratch various surfaces, damaging household and apartment furnishings. Pet owners often see this as a behavioural problem and try to intervene, which can be unpleasant for the cats.

In response to this issue, an international team of scientists investigated the factors influencing domestic cats' tendency to scratch furniture. Their research was published in "Frontiers in Veterinary Science".

“Here we show that certain factors – such as the presence of children at home, personality traits of cats, and their activity levels – significantly impact the extent of scratching behaviour,” says Dr Yasemin Salgirli Demirbas from Ankara University, who is the first author of the study.

“Our findings can help caregivers manage and redirect scratching to appropriate materials, which could help foster a more harmonious living environment for both cats and their caregivers,” she adds.

As part of the research, scientists surveyed over 1,200 cat owners living in France. They asked about the cats' daily lives and characteristics, as well as their undesirable scratching behaviours.

"We see a clear link between certain environmental and behavioral factors and increased scratching behavior in cats," Salgirli Demirbas explained. "Specifically, the presence of children in the home as well as high levels of play and nocturnal activity significantly contribute to increased scratching." Cats described as aggressive or disruptive also showed higher levels of scratching.

Scientists have concluded that stress is the leading cause of unwanted scratching. For example, the presence of children, especially young ones, can intensify stress and be one of the factors prompting scratching. However, the link between more frequent scratching and the presence of children in the home is not yet fully understood and requires further research.

Another factor likely related to stress is play. “When cats play for a long time, their stress levels can rise because of the uninterrupted stimulation.”

The study authors emphasize that some factors promoting scratching, such as the cat's personality or the presence of children, cannot be changed. However, some can be controlled. For example, placing scratching posts in areas the cat frequents near its favourite resting spot or using pheromones can reduce the risk of furniture scratching.

“Providing safe hiding places, elevated observation spots, and ample play opportunities can also help alleviate stress and engage the cat in more constructive activities,” notes Salgirli Demirbas.

The key to solving the problem may be organising short play sessions that mimic hunting scenarios. Such play sessions are more likely to maintain the cats' interest and reduce stress, ultimately limiting excessive furniture scratching. Scientists claim such actions can also strengthen the bond between cats and their caregivers.

“Understanding the underlying emotional motivations of scratching behavior, such as frustration, which seem to be linked to personality traits and environmental factors, allows caregivers to address these issues directly,” stated Salgirli Demirbas.

Although the researchers had to rely on data from the survey participants, who are prone to subjectivity, they gained unique insight into cats' scratching behaviour. As they emphasize, the goal of the described and future research is to develop more effective strategies for dealing with this behaviour, ultimately enhancing the bond and harmony between cats and their caregivers.