Scratching

Cats have an innate need to scratch. They scratch because they need to clear off the old sheath to expose the new sharper claw that is underneath. They scratch as a way of stretching and toning their muscles. Cats get declawed because we humans have failed to teach them to use the scratching post.

You have chosen to include a wonderful friend and companion in your family, a cat. Now, you must accept that a cat has an innate need to use its claws to scratch. Cats will scratch for three reasons. In this article we will cover these reasons, as well as some possible solutions.

A cat who is acting aggressively may be offensively play fighting or she may be defensively protecting herself. How can we know the difference? A cat that attacks, bites, and scratches without warning and does not quit until the human has a fit, is acting offensively. It is acting out predatory play behavior or practicing killing maneuvers on live prey - you!