Has your living room become a cat-astrophe?
Researchers are clawing away at a better understanding of why cats love scratching up furniture — and also some ways to keep their paws off your personal belongings.
“We see a clear link between certain environmental and behavioral factors and increased scratching behavior in cats,” said researcher Dr. Yasemin Salgirli Demi̇rbas, whose new study was derived from interviews with 1,200 cat owners in France and was published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science.
Stress to cats is the dominant reason they like to go on a literal tear, according to the researchers.
For many reasons, especially for small felines, the presence of children amplifies their uneasiness.
“Specifically, the presence of children in the home as well as high levels of play and nocturnal activity significantly contribute to increased scratching,” the study declared. “Cats described as aggressive or disruptive also exhibited higher levels of scratching.”
Also, even playing for a long and uninterrupted amount of time can induce stress and scratching due to overstimulation.
Salgirli Demirbas advises keeping playtime short and creating activities that emulate hunting scenarios to keep them calmer and to create a closer bond.
“Providing safe hiding places, elevated observation spots, and ample play opportunities can also help alleviate stress and engage the cat in more constructive activities,” the expert also recommends.
The experts also advised putting scratching posts in areas where cats frequent — and even using pheromones to keep a kitty away from the couch.
“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,” said Salgirli Demirbas.
