Almost all cat lovers already know that cats do not scratch furniture out of spite. This is how the animal leaves marks, sharpens its claws, and stretches its spine.
Whether it is possible to wean a pet from this activity is a separate question, and scientists have an answer to it.
The results of research on this topic were published in the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science.
Research details
The researchers reached their conclusions after analyzing the behavior of 1,211 cats.
In addition to data about the owners, attention was paid to the following points:
- daily routine and socialization;
- cat's environment;
- behavior and temperament;
- frequency and causes of furniture damage.
Conclusions of scientists
Scientists have come to the conclusion that the main reason that prompted cats to sharpen their claws was stress. The more nervous the environment was, the more often and actively the cats damaged the furniture.
Lack of attention, toys, or improper upbringing also had an impact on the animals’ behavior.
Is it possible to wean?
This behavior can be eliminated by playing with your pet regularly. Moreover, games that imitate hunting are considered effective.
Scratching posts are also helpful in this regard; they are recommended to be placed where cats scratch furniture.
You also need to buy toys, but not laser pointers, and you can also use products based on cat pheromones.
Earlier we talked about what it means to dream about cats .
