- Stress, children and being active at night could make your cat claw the sofa
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Most cat owners will be familiar with the torn cushions, carpets and sofas that come as part of the package.
But the feline instinct to scratch is made worse by stress, a study shows – and young children are one of the worst triggers.
An international team of researchers has investigated which factors influence undesired scratching behaviours in domestic cats.
The team, from Ankara University in Turkey, asked more than 1,200 cat owners in France about the daily lives and characteristics – as well as any undesired scratching behaviours – of their furry companions.
They discovered the presence of children in the home as well as high levels of play and nocturnal activity significantly contributed to increased scratching.
From the presence of children to being active at night, there are many factors that make your cat scratch your furniture, scientists say
Lead author Dr Yasemin Salgirli at Ankara University told MailOnline: ‘”Nocturnal activity” in cats includes behaviors exhibited at night.
‘Nighttime behaviors, such as heightened playfulness and vocalization, often stem from inadequate daytime stimulation or social interaction and may also be a form of seeking attention.
‘While cats are naturally nocturnal, they can adjust to a human diurnal schedule if provided with structured and engaging activities during the day.’
But stress, the researchers said, was found to be a lead reason for the unwanted behaviour.
For example the presence of children, particularly while they are small, might amplify stress and be one of several causes that can make felines stress-scratch, the team said.
Another factor that could also be connected to stress is playfulness – when cats play for a long time, their stress levels can rise because of the uninterrupted stimulation.
Cats described as aggressive or disruptive also exhibited higher levels of scratching.
The team recommended placing scratching posts in areas the cat frequently passes or near to their preferred resting spot can lessen their scratching on furniture.
Cats scratching on furniture can frustrate owners, but this normal feline behavior could be managed by adapting play sessions and offering scratch posts in the right spots, researchers found
Multiple short play sessions that mimic successful hunting scenarios can also sustain cats’ interest and reduce stress, they added.
Dr Salgirli added: ‘Here we show that certain factors – such as the presence of children at home, personality traits of cats, and their activity levels – significantly impact the extent of scratching behaviour.
‘Our findings can help caregivers manage and redirect scratching to appropriate materials, which could help foster a more harmonious living environment for both cats and their caregivers.
‘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 findings were published in the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science.
