Why do cats like to use their claws to cause destruction? What should I do?

Mar 15,2024
3Min

Cats scratch walls, furniture and trees for two purposes. One is to remove the dead shell on the outside of the nails through the scratching action, exposing the newly grown sharp nails. On the other hand, they can also leave behind their own nails through scratching. The scent indicates that this is their territory and also sends a territorial message to other cats.

The sweat glands on the cat's paws secrete a scent, and when the cat scratches on furniture or walls, the scent remains. These familiar scents can make cats feel safe in the home and also tell other cats in the home: "This is my territory!" Cats who feel unsafe at home may scratch more. The reason for the insecurity may be the arrival of a new cat at home, or changes in the home environment (moving, moving furniture, buying new furniture, etc.). At the same time, there may also be habit factors. The author thinks it may be that cats like to scratch the wallpaper.

For a cat, digging its claws into the wallpaper and watching small pieces of wallpaper fall down and become their toys is probably a very fulfilling thing. The thicker the wallpaper, the more significant their "achievement" is! If Cats often sharpen their claws near doors, which may indicate that they think potential "intruders" are coming through.

There are a few things you can try to stop your cat from scratching its claws on the wall. Demonstrating to cats that no other cats are coming into the home will increase their sense of security. You can put a doormat at the door. If you have just come back from a friend's house with a cat, wipe your feet at the door. After entering the house, take off your clothes quickly, put your bag away, and put on the clothes you wear at home and have cats. Familiar-smelling clothes; rub a soft towel on both sides of the cat's cheeks to soak in the cat's scent, then use the towel to wipe the areas where the cat has scratched. However, some habits are difficult to eradicate, so it is recommended to try painting the walls a little and wait until the cat loses interest in the walls before wallpapering them.

(The last resort is cat declawing)

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