Why Some Cats Scratch More Than Others, According to a New Study

Scratching is a perfectly normal part of cat behaviour, but a new study sheds light on why some of our much-loved, clawed fluffballs cause more damage than others. It is not simply a case of them trying to wind you up with their mischievous antics.

"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 behavior," says veterinary researcher Yasemin Salgirli Demi̇rbas from Ankara University in Türkiye.

Cats need appropriate surfaces to scratch: the activity keeps their claws sharp, stops them becoming overgrown and potentially causing health issues. Marks left by scratching also serve as territorial signals, helping cats communicate with other felines.

Stress and excessive cat scratching

Trouble can begin when a cat starts shredding an expensive leather sofa. According to Salgirli Demi̇rbas and colleagues in Portugal, Canada and France, the more frustrated an owner becomes, the more likely the cat is to scratch in response to the increased social tension.

To investigate excessive scratching in domestic cats, the researchers surveyed more than 1,200 owners who each had one cat. Although self-reported information can be affected by bias, the results revealed a strong association indicating that stress is the primary driver.

"We see a clear link between certain environmental and behavioral factors and increased scratching behavior in cats," says Salgirli Demirbas.

"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 exhibited higher levels of scratching."

These findings indicate ways in which owners can help their cats change this behaviour.

Helping cats redirect their scratching

"Providing safe hiding places, elevated observation spots, and ample play opportunities can help alleviate stress and engage the cat in more constructive activities," advises Salgirli Demirba.

When a cat scratches somewhere it should not, positive reinforcement is important, while approaches that may increase its stress should be avoided. One positive option is to offer another scratching surface near the area the cat has selected.

Cats tend to scratch in places with social importance, probably to convey their emotional state. That means the position of a scratching post matters to them.

It is equally important to play with your feline companion in a manner that suits them. The researchers suspect that cats given lengthy play sessions may scratch more frequently because they become stressed through overstimulation.

"Promoting regular and brief interactive play sessions, coupled with offering suitable toys, can alleviate stress and consequently reduce undesirable scratching behavior," the team recommends in their paper.

Understanding a cat's stress triggers

Cats are, after all, particular animals. They hold strong preferences about many things, including the way they are stroked. Identifying the particular source of stress behind a cat's scratching may help owners find a way to reduce the unwanted behaviour.

"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," says Salgirli Demirbas.

Calming cat pheromones may help to defuse matters while other approaches are explored.

"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," Salgirli Demi̇rbas concludes.

For more than 10,000 years, cats have lived alongside us, protecting crops, entertaining us and offering affection. The very least we can do in return is make an effort to understand them better.

The research was published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science.