Why Scratching is Vital for Your Cat’s Health And Well Being

Scratching is a completely normal and healthy behavior that most cats engage in, and it serves many purposes. In order to peacefully cohabitate with our cats, it's necessary to understand why they may engage in what we consider to be a negative activity and then provide them with an alternative that is acceptable to us and our furniture. Cats are born with the instinct to scratch objects for a variety of reasons.

(Sources: Purrfect post and Iheartcats)

Cats scratch to release stress or excitement or "blow off steam."

We see our cats extend their claws and leisurely stretch back or up. It is like cat yoga in a way. It just feels good.

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Cats scratch to stretch their claws, feet, and bodies.

This releases "feel-good" hormones that help keep your cat healthy. The same muscles that are used for the scratch-stretch are the ones that cats need to climb and run. Your cat knows that her body should be honed and equipped for anything. Scratch-stretching keeps the muscles from cramping and becoming stiff or painful. Scratching is a good way for a cat to loosen up his muscles after sleep, too. Cats love scratching options that they can grip slightly with their claws to help smooth rough edges and improve circulation to their toes and nail beds and also gain some resistance when they stretch, just like resistance bands for us.

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Cats use Scratch marks to communicate

Cats have scent glands in their paws. Scratching deposits the cat's scent onto an object. Cats leave a visual calling card for other cats with the marks left when they scratch, especially on a vertical surface. Since they can't leave sticky notes for others to express their meaning, they work with what they've got and leave scratch marks along their boundaries. Cats might choose corners or couches or highly visible zones at cat height- anywhere that would be immediately obvious to an interloper.

Via Pet Health Zone
Cats leave invisible territorial messages when they scratch

Pheromones are actually chemicals that carry messages. They are not technically odors since they are perceived by another organ than the nose. Cats can produce a pheromone between their toes (interdigital semiochemical) that releases when they claw. This chemical leaves invisible messages for other cats. Humans cannot perceive these messages at all. In fact, not even dogs can. Pheromones seem to be species specific. So they are notes left that only cats can read and they are also useful to your own cat as she reminds herself of her "safe zones".

Via Pets web MD
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Cats also scratch to keep their nails in good shape and to help shed their claw sheaths

Scratching helps remove the outer layer from a cat's nails: it's good grooming behavior.

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How Can I Deal With My Cat Scratching My Furniture?

Fortunately, there are ways that your cat's need to scratch can be satisfied without sacrificing your household items. A great way to do this is by providing high-quality scratching posts. With some attention to the properties consistent with a perfect scratching place (height, sturdiness, and good scratching material), a little training for your cat, and some extra understanding and patience, your cat will certainly learn to leave your furniture alone. In fact, your friend will LOVE the posts. Indulging in their natural activities will allow your cat to be healthier and much happier, and that will result in more love shared with you, too!

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Cats need good scratching

Via Purrfect Post