When it comes to mealtime for cats, you may notice strange behavior on them, maybe you see your cat scratching furniture or the floor around her food, but why do cats scratch furniture and food. Is scratching a normal behavior for her or is it indicative of a specific problem it is experiencing.
We will find out the answer to all those questions in detail with the most common questions about scratching cats in today's article from catsmeaw.
Why do cats scratch furniture so often?
A cat's body language can be confusing, but scratching is a normal aspect of a cat's behavior in the wild, so before you try to train your cat to stop scratching your furniture, you need to find out the reasons why cats scratch furniture in the first place, which are as follows:
Keeps claws healthy: scratchfing allows you to get rid of the old layers on the tips of the claws of cats, and with this behavior cats keep their claws to be always sharp and healthy.
Stress relief: some cats scratch furniture to relieve their stress when they are upset about something or afraid of something.
Stretch the muscles: the cat needs to stretch their muscles, scratching enables them to do this by regular exercises.
Zoning: the cat has scent glands between their paws, any time they scratch something, the glands release scents that allow them to establish the boundaries of their territory.
Why do cats scratch around their food?
In fact, scratching cats for their food is a very common and normal behavior and there is nothing to worry about, scratching is due to the natural instinct of cats that is a completely normal part of their eating routine. But if you notice that this behavior is new from your cat's usual actions, I advise you to go to the vet because it is a harbinger of some serious diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease.
The reasons why cats scratch their food
Let's take a look at the most common reasons why cats scratch their food, starting from normal behaviors to reasons that may require changes in diet and consulting a veterinarian.
To protect its kitten
Cats, just like humans, are afraid for their little ones and want to save their food, so surely if you notice this behavior on your cat, you don't need to worry because it simply saves and stores food safely for its little ones.
Related: Dangerous foods for cats: what are they?
Cats have glands that secrete a characteristic odor between their paws, and when they extend their claws they activate those glands.if they are worried about their kitten's safety, they will probably scratch furniture or the floor to scare away any potential predators. it is a natural and instinctive behavior and should not indicate any health problems for your cat.
To mask the smell of their food
Many wild cats rely on the method of scratching in the sand to store their food temporarily and hide its smell away from other cats, but some doctors think that this method may have serious implications for your cat's health, including gastrointestinal upset, food allergies or kidney disease, etc., so if your cat scratches to store its food suddenly, and it does not fall into the category of mother cats, it is better to consult a veterinarian to rule out any medical problems.
For its boredom
One of the most common reasons cats scratch furniture or carpets is because they are bored; if there are no toys to play with, they will find other ways to entertain themselves, usually targeting dangling or loose objects, or anything they can put their paws on.
To clean their place
Cats are known to be sensitive creatures and lovers of cleanliness, so if you notice your cat scratching around its food after finishing eating, do not worry about this behavior because it is simply cleaning its place after eating, the same reason why it scratches the floor in the sandbox.
Finishing the food
Sometimes cats scratch the area around their food as soon as they finish it because they want to get it out of their way. This behavior often happens with dry food, and it is more common with cats that eat wet food because it does not stay fresh for a long time, and you want to keep it out of their way, so you should choose the best types of food for cats and choose the most suitable for them, to provide the necessary nutrients to build their muscles.
They don't like their food
Do you want another reason why do cats scratch their food?
Cats can be picky about their food, especially with House food, which is why they may leave it without eating it or try to get rid of it by scratching. Therefore, you should return to your cat's previous diet if it scratches something new.
How can I prevent my cat from scratching furniture and its food
There is no need to stop this behavior if it is part of your cat's natural actions, but if it starts suddenly, think about whether you have changed anything recently, such as changing the location of their food or their favorite bowl because cats don't like to change their regime too often and change their way of life.
Related: Why Is My Cat Walking In Circles Around Me?
Note: If scratching behavior is accompanied by a decrease in appetite, weight loss, vomiting or diarrhea, then you should immediately go to the vet to solve this problem, and if the medical cause is ruled out, here are some tips from veterinarians to prevent your cat from scratching its food:
- Place scratching posts made of various materials near your cat's favorite scratching spots to distract them from furniture or carpets.
- Provide some different toys to keep your cat entertained.
- Cut their nails to try to reduce the amount of scratching, you can read our article on how to trim the nails of cats.
- Play with your cat more often, this will tire him out and reduce the likelihood of scratching him due to insomnia.
- Reduce the volume of your cat's food.
- Use cat toys to redirect behavior.
Some cats also tend to be more claw-oriented and like to use their paws to explore their environment.for these cats, food puzzle games that require them to use their feet to get their food out may be a good option, so if you notice your cat scratching food or the ground, keep it busy with its toys.
Change the place of food: if none of the above options work, I advise you to move your cat's food bowls to an area that is less prone to damage from scratching, for example a wooden floor may be better than a carpet that is being pulled.
Remove any leftovers: when you remove the leftovers left by your cat immediately after finishing the food, this helps to reduce your cat's scratching in the food, and this option is very suitable for cats who like the cleanliness of the place even if your cat eats only a little.
Note: it is important not to punish your cat for scratching the floor, and remember that this is normal behavior for them and they are just trying to be a cat! Punishing your cat will only ruin your relationship with it and make it depressed.
The most frequently asked questions
Why is my cat scratching the floor?
Cats may scratch the ground if they are trying to hide their food or because they are bored, which is a natural and instinctive behavior in cats.
What should I do if my cat does not stop scratching?
If you apply all these tips and your cat does not stop scratching the furniture, then you should use nail covers, which are usually made of vinyl, they protect precious surfaces from damage.
How to stop my cat from trying to hide its food?
Hiding their food is a normal behavior and there is no need to worry, if they hide their food a lot and make a big mess, you can try to reduce the amount of food.
Why is my cat scratching the floor around its food bowl?
Cats often do this if they are trying to hide the sight or smell of their food, this is an innate behavior in cats and you don't have to worry about it.
Why do cats scratch around the water bowl?
Cats sometimes do this to hide leftover food and water, this is something they used to do in the wild to prevent other cats from discovering them.
Why do cats scratch around the sandbox?
Cats often do this when they hide their offal, and this is normal behavior to cover up the smell of offal from other cats, but if they are in the litter box a lot and scratch after it, this may be a sign of cystitis, so you need to immediately go with it to the vet to treat it and not increase the symptoms.
Should I be worried if my cat scratches around the food bowl?
There is no need to worry if your cat scratches around its food bowl, it may always be just a natural and instinctive behavior, however you know your cat well so if you notice this behavior and are worried, you should immediately go to the vet to solve that problem.
Why do cats scratch after smelling something?
Cats have scent glands between their paws and extend their claws and this behavior helps to memorize the places where they were scratched.
Conclusion
Cats scratch furniture and food around them because it is their instinctive behavior related to survival, and with this behavior cats try to preserve their food, strengthen the strength of their claws and relieve their tension, and on the other hand cats scratch the floor because they love their food, or hide their food because they hate it!
Related: Does Your Cat Often Have Crazy Strokes?
Regardless of the reason, it is important to recognize this behavior as a natural instinct. We cannot expect cats to completely stop this behavior at all.