Vet 2025 Guide: Why Cats Need Things to Scratch — Vet‑Led Insight on Claw Health & Enrichment 🐱🪵
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Vet 2025 Guide: Why Cats Need Things to Scratch — Vet‑Led Insight on Claw Health & Enrichment 🐱🪵
By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc — Professional Veterinarian & Founder 💙 Scratching isn’t a bad habit—it’s a vital behavior that helps cats stay physically and emotionally healthy. In 2025, vets recognize scratching as a complex activity that maintains claws, releases stress, and supports social expression. Rather than stopping scratching, the goal is to support it safely with enriching outlets. This guide explores the medical and behavioral reasons cats scratch and offers practical, vet‑led tips for healthy redirection to protect your furniture and enhance your cat’s well-being.
🔍 1. Why Scratching Is a Feline Essential
- Claw health: Scratching helps shed dead claw sheaths, keeping nails sharp and functional.
- Stretching & muscle tone: The full-body motion involved in scratching stretches the spine, shoulders, and limbs.
- Stress relief: Scratching releases tension and boosts mood—much like exercise does for people.
- Territory marking: Scent glands in the paws deposit pheromones that communicate ownership and emotional state.
- Communication: Scratching is a visual and olfactory signpost to other animals—“this space is claimed.”
📉 2. What Happens Without Scratching Outlets?
Cats without access to appropriate scratching tools often redirect the behavior to carpets, furniture, or doors. Suppressing scratching altogether causes frustration, stress, and potential behavior issues. In some cases, it may lead to overgrooming, urine marking, or withdrawal.
✅ 3. Vet‑Recommended Scratch Support
- Offer multiple scratching surfaces: Use vertical posts, horizontal pads, and angled boards to match your cat’s preference.
- Use the right materials: Sisal, cardboard, and rough fabric mimic natural bark or tree trunks.
- Location is key: Place scratchers in high-traffic areas or near nap spots—not tucked away. Cats like to stretch and scratch right after waking.
- Make them attractive: Sprinkle catnip, attach toys, or praise and treat your cat when they use scratchers.
- Keep them stable: A wobbling post is scary—ensure all scratchers are anchored or weighted for confidence.
- Rotate and refresh: Scratchers wear out; replace when they fray too much or lose appeal.
🛑 4. Never Declaw — Why It’s Harmful
Declawing is a surgical amputation that removes part of the cat’s toes. In 2025, it is widely banned and discouraged by all leading veterinary organizations. Side effects include chronic pain, behavior changes, and mobility issues. Redirecting natural scratching is always the better path.
🩺 5. Vet Insight on Health & Behavior
- Monitor nail growth: Elderly or arthritic cats may not scratch enough—trim nails regularly to avoid overgrowth or curling into paw pads.
- Watch behavior changes: Sudden increase in scratching may indicate stress, anxiety, or pain; schedule a vet check if this occurs.
- Use the Ask A Vet app: Log scratch locations and frequency to detect patterns or behavior shifts.
📋 6. Case Study: “Ziggy’s Scratcher Success”
Scenario: Ziggy began scratching the leather sofa daily, despite previously using a post.
Vet Plan: Provided a taller sisal post, moved it near the sofa, added catnip and playtime, and used furniture deterrent tape.
Outcome: Within a week, Ziggy returned to the new post. Sofa scratching stopped. The post remains a daily ritual spot.
🌟 Why This Matters in 2025
- Scratching is essential: Supporting it ensures physical, mental, and emotional balance.
- Prevention through education: Understanding feline needs prevents damage and conflict.
- Vet-guided redirection: You can avoid behavior problems without punishment or outdated methods.
- Respect for instinct: Letting cats scratch where and how they need to is a sign of compassionate, modern pet care.
Support your cat’s natural instincts—with smart, enriching scratch options—and your cat will thrive emotionally, physically, and behaviorally. 🐾
