Why cats need to scratch

As annoying as it is to have your cat scratching the couch again, a cat has to scratch. It is a necessary and natural behavior for cats and therefore cannot be unlearned. Not only does it help them keep their claws sharp, it is also crucial for their mental and physical well-being. But what exactly is the importance of scratching? I will explain it further in this article.

The importance of scratching

• Personal care: Cats are naturally equipped with sharp claws that require regular care. By scratching regularly, they keep their claws sharp and healthy by removing the outer dead layer of the claws and promotes the growth of healthy, new nails.

• Marking territory: Cats have scent glands between their paws. When they scratch, they leave a scent mark that serves as a signal to other cats of their presence. This contributes to the cat's sense of security.

• Stress relief: Scratching can also serve as a form of stress relief for cats. The rhythmic scratching helps them to release tension and feel more relaxed. This is an important aspect of mental health care for cats.

This shows how important it is to encourage this behavior. But how can we best do this?

Support the behavior

To prevent the couch from being the scapegoat again, it is wise to invest in (multiple) scratching options. When choosing the right scratching furniture, it is important to consider the size and material. Sturdy materials such as sisal are durable and offer good resistance, which is important for a satisfying scratching experience. But some cats prefer cardboard.

The location of the scratching furniture in the house can also determine how often the cat will use it. It is advisable to place scratching options in different rooms to always give your cat access to a place to scratch. Multiple options such as a scratching post, scratching furniture and scratching board are therefore recommended.

Not only vertical

Scratching must be encouraged and this is done by offering different options. Most scratching posts and furniture are vertical, which is of course very good, but did you know that some cats also like to scratch horizontally? Then investing in a good scratching board is recommended.

For example, my Donnie is a real horizontal scratcher. He takes the horizontal scratching options more often than the vertical ones. Of course, this does not mean that he never takes a vertical scratching option, but in most cases he takes a horizontal one. Think of a mat, a horizontal scratching post or just a piece of carpet.

Conclusion

Scratching is much more than just a behavior; it is an essential part of your cat's health and daily life. By investing in good scratching opportunities and understanding your cat's scratching behavior, you are not only protecting your furniture, but also supporting the well-being of your beloved feline.

Niet alleen verticaal

Krabben moet bevorderd worden en dat wordt gedaan door verschillende mogelijkheden aan te bieden. De meeste krabpalen en -meubels zijn verticaal wat natuurlijk heel goed is maar wist je dat sommige katten het ook prettig vinden om horizontaal te krabben? Dan is het investeren in een goede krabplank wel een aanrader.

Zo is mijn Donnie een echte horizontale krabber. Hij pakt vaker de horizontale krabmogelijkheden dan de verticalen. Dit wil natuurlijk niet zeggen dat hij nooit een verticale krabmogelijkheid pakt maar in de meeste gevallen pakt ie een horizontale. Denk hierbij aan een mat, een horizontale krabmeubel of gewoon een stukje vloerbedekking.

Conclusie

Krabben is veel meer dan alleen een gedrag; het is een essentieel onderdeel van de gezondheid en het dagelijks leven van je kat. Door te investeren in goede krabmogelijkheden en het krabgedrag van je kat te begrijpen, ben je niet alleen je meubels aan het beschermen, maar ondersteun je ook het welzijn van je geliefde poezenkind.