Do You Know Why Cats Scratch?
You love your cat more than anything, but you can't understand why pieces of your furniture have become destroyed due to your cat's incessant scratching. Scratching is a natural, instinctual behavior in cats that serves several important purposes. Cats scratch in order to mark their territory with their scent and shed old cuticle tissue from their claws.
The most obvious function of a cat's claws is for defense. Many people opt to declaw cats because they are inside animals. This can be an issue if your cat were to get loose. Your cat would have no means to protect his or herself. A cat with no claws can make for a very easy target versus predators.
Scratching also just feels good for a cat. When a cat extends his or her claws, they are stretching the muscles in their limbs and back. This motion is relaxing and therapeutic for a kitty. Keep in mind your cat is always going to scratch. Your goal, as an owner, can be to redirect your cat's behavior to something more acceptable than a piece of your expensive furniture.
If you are looking for a fun and healthy way to help rescue dogs and cats, Run for Their Lives, PAWS Chicago's 8K run/4K walk, will begin at 7 a.m. at Montrose Harbor. To register or to get more information, click here.
