How to stop your cat tearing up your home

Even the most devoted cat owner might despair when razor-sharp claws tear up furnishings, but scientists have now found that stress causes cats to scratch objects.

The solution is putting scratching posts in favoured spots, they say. This helps lower the stress of cats, reduces unwanted clawing, and improves the bond between human and pet, researchers say.

Data from questionnaires given to more than 1,200 cat owners in France revealed the pets get more stressed and increase their scratching when they are in a house with young children, play a lot, or are active at nighttime.

Dr Yasemin Salgirli Demi̇rbas, a veterinary researcher at Ankara University and first author of the study, said: “We see a clear link between certain environmental and behavioural factors and increased scratching behaviour in cats.

“Specifically, the presence of children in the home as well as high levels of play and nocturnal activity significantly contribute to increased scratching.

“Cats described as aggressive or disruptive also exhibited higher levels of scratching.”

Analysis of the data found that scratch-inducing triggers remained consistent across breeds, gender, size, health and neutering status.

The scientists advise that instead of playing with a cat a lot in one go for a prolonged period of time, which can elevate stress levels, owners should try to get into the habit of playing in short bursts more often and imitating hunting scenarios.

This approach is more natural and stress-relieving for the cats, they say, and this will therefore help stop scratching which is worsened with stress.

“Understanding the underlying emotional motivations of scratching behaviour, such as frustration, which seem to be linked to personality traits and environmental factors, allows caregivers to address these issues directly,” said Dr Demirbas.

“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 study is published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science.