Why do cats love to scratch? More to the point, why do they love to scratch your prized possessions-like your newly upholstered sofa or stereo speakers? Understanding your cat’s need to scratch is the first step in saving your furniture and channeling her energies to more acceptable areas.

Behind the Behavior

Like much of the conduct we see in our domestic pets, scratching serves several purses at once:
Grooming. Cats’ nails grow continuously, with shedding of the outer sheath. Scratching on dense or textured surfaces facilitates the removal of the outer layer of the nail.
Marking territory. Scratching is a territorial instinct by which cats place their mark and establish their turf. By clawing vigorously, cats not only create visual evidence of their presence, they also release their own special scent from the glands located on the paw pads, leaving a distinct smell to mark their domain.
Exercising. Scratching also serves to keep your cat in shape. The act of scratching stretches and pulls the muscles of a cat’s front quarters-a real workout session. Plus, it just feels good!

Alternatives in Action

Scratching and stretching come naturally to a cat. Don’t ever punish your cat for this behavior, but provide your cat with a place to scratch that is acceptable for both of you.
* Purchase a scratching post or build your own, using carpet samples and wood. There are many different types of posts available, including those made of cardboard, sisal, carpeting or wood.
* Try a chunk of log for your cat to scratch. Many cats love this because it satisfies their primal instinct of scratching on a tree.
* Some cats dig fabric -especially that found on your couch or favorite chair. Purchase a cloth of similar texture and use it to cover part of the post or attach it to a bulletin board placed low on the wall.
* Many cats love scratching boxes that can be purchased from your local pet-supply store. These lightweight, inexpensive boxes are filled with corrugated cardboard and sprinkled with catnip.
Whatever you choose for your cat's new scratching site, make sure it’s tall enough or long enough for her to fully extend her body. And above all, make sure it’s secure. If it topples over even once, she won’t go back to it.
Remember, too, an important part of scratching is the cat’s desire to mark a territory, so a scratching pad or post should be in an area that’s used by the family, not hidden in a back corner. You may even need more than one-especially if you have several cats.

Tips for Training

“Never hold a cat’s paws and make her scratch the post,” says Isabel Cheney, a cat behaviorist from Redondo Beach, California. “Cats are highly offended by this and will rebel with a ‘you can’t make me’ attitude.” Instead, you can show your cat how to scratch by going through the scratching motions yourself. Or place your cat on the side of the post so she will naturally hang on.
“You can also encourage your cat to use new scratching surfaces with clever enticements,” Cheney says. Feed her and play with her by the post. Rub dried catnip leaves into it. Reward her with a favorite treat when she uses it. Have her chase a string or a toy around the post. Eventually she will learn to love it.
“If you have a kitten,” Cheney says, “it’s much easier to initiate good habits than to correct the bad ones.” Take advantage of your new kitten’s desire to play and learn. She’ll soon discover how good it feels to scratch in her own special place.

-Article from Your Cat. Spring 2001