Why Does My Cat Scratch? Deciphering Feline Scratching Behavior

Scratching is not something that is considered abnormal among cats; it is very common among them. While cats scratch in order to shape their claws and condition them, there can be other reasons for it, too. They might be scratching so that they can mark their territory, especially if there is a share or specific conflict. 

The cats who are not inside the house and are just marking different places with their scratches can be a little annoying for the people living in that neighborhood. You would usually notice their scratch marks around objects, such as wooden tree trunks or something that is more prominent. 

Playing swat with a cat is not a good idea. Their body has thick fur, which is there for protection, and their skin is also quite dense. When this play starts to get a little too long, cats know how to get things sorted before they become ugly. 

If your cat gets into a territorial fight with other cats, they can get themselves hurt, which may actually require attention from a veterinarian San Antonio, TX

What can you do to stop your cat from scratching?

It would not really make sense if you tried to get your cat not to scratch at all because that is not something natural. If you let your cat go out, then they might do all the scratching outdoors. However, that does not necessarily mean that they will not scratch once they come back. 

If your cat lives inside your home all the time, then you might find something or a specific place where they can scratch so that you can redirect them to that place. If you do not do so or do not provide them with outlets, then it is more than likely that you’ll find your items all over the place, and the cat might be jumping around your house. 

You will likely find everything to be lying. He is around the house. It is not really possible to completely stop scratching. What you really can do is get. Find a place around the house where they can do all their scratching, climbing, or playing. Scratching posts can help, too. 

It can help their social play, and they can do their scratching there as well. There is a particular pheromone that has been proven effective in redirecting your cat to a place where you want them to do their scratching and playing around. 

How can you successfully design an area for scratching?

Since they are going to use the scratching post for all their scratching and paying around, you need to place it in a more prominent area. One example of that would be putting it near the place where your cat sleeps. 

The scratching pattern might differ from cat to cat, who prefers to start scratching from the corner so that they can do it with both their claws. On the other hand, there are cats who prefer scratching in a horizontal manner. As far as scratching posts that are tightly woven are concerned, they are not something that cats really like. 

They like the ones that are loose; one example of it can be a carpet. Make sure that you have chosen the material that actually attracts your cat. Some cats go for simply wooden material, and some may go for material that comes from an old wooden chair. 

As discussed, scratching is also something that cats do to mark their area. Furthermore, make sure the post that you have chosen for your cat is long enough that they can reach when they are on their hind legs. 

Understand your pet better!

If you want to gain more knowledge about certain behaviors of your cat, then reaching out to a veterinarian can also help. Veterinarians are aware of what a specific type of behavior represents, and they can educate you about the same. They will also tell you about different strategies that you can use to treat specific problems associated with your cat.