2007-01-08 12:12:18 · 33 answers · asked by GABRIEL H 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
They like to sharpen their claws. Their claws are their self defense against predators. That is how they catch mice.
2007-01-08 12:15:46 · answer #1 · answered by Steph 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Cats' claws are their first line of defense and should never, NEVER be removed by de-clawing. A happy cat will "knead" with his claws. Blankets or your skin can be the target of this kneading. This is a throwback from kittenhood, when they kneaded their mother's nipples to make the milk flow.
Cats "sharpen" their claws regularly, by clawing vertical or horizontal surfaces. Actually, the cat is not sharpening the claws, but dislodging a thin sheath that grows over them, much like a snake sheds its skin. You will occasionally find these little sheaths near the area when a cat has been scratching.
Strangely enough an individual cat may have a distinct preference of either vertical or horizontal. Cats can readily be trained to use scratching posts rather than furniture. Sometimes a little catnip rubbed on the surface of the post is all it takes. Incidentally, jute seems to be favored over carpeting as a scratching surface.
Trimming a cat's claws will help prevent pain and bleeding when a cat scratches you during play.
Check out the site below to find out more: http://cats.about.com/cs/catmanagement101/a/how_cat_work_2.htm
2007-01-08 12:16:43 · answer #2 · answered by danielle Z 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats naturally try to scratch things in order to wear down their claws. They can't just pull out the ole nail clipper and clip away so they need to wear them down somehow. There are specially made scratching posts that are made to try to entice the cats to claw there instead of furniture but I found that once a cat has found a scratching spot it likes it is very hard to get him to scratch where you want him to. I don't know about this but maybe in the wild they would also have been marking their territory? That would explain why it's so hard to get them to change where they claw.
dale
2007-01-12 12:18:53 · answer #3 · answered by Dale d 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They do this to sharpen their nails. In the wild they would naturally use trees and such. If it is a problem, get a scratching post and encourage your cat to use that. If worst comes to worst and it is an indoor cat, you can always get their front claws removed (though this is now a debated procedure).
As well, to stop them from scratching furniture you can put tinfoil on it. Cats HATE tinfoil for some reason....
2007-01-08 12:18:05 · answer #4 · answered by bpbjess 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why do cats claw (scratch) objects?
Cats claw to maintain proper condition of the nails, for fun and exercise, and to mark territory visually as well as with scent. They stretch by digging their claws into something and pulling back against their own claw-hold. A cat's natural instinct to scratch serves both physical and psychological needs. Before domestication, cats satisfied these needs by clawing tree trunks. Domesticated cats can be trained to satisfy their desire to claw without damaging valuable property.
2007-01-08 12:17:23 · answer #5 · answered by Todd 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Cats claw on the furniture because they are trying to sharpen their claws. You should try to get a scratching post: Maybe that would help.
2007-01-08 12:17:07 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sharpens their claws.
Since their claws grow quickly, they have to claw things to keep the claws from getting too long and turning back into their paws.
A scratch post with catnip on it hopefully will help give them an alternative to destroying your furniture.
2007-01-08 12:17:06 · answer #7 · answered by Steve S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Partly because furniture is such a great scratching post - a way to sharpen their nails.
But it's also bad attention. My cat Light has a tendency to just claw the couch a little when she wants our attention. It's a drag but it works!
FP
2007-01-08 12:16:03 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is natural for a cat to sharpen its claws. It's an instinct and if they don't have a scratching post they will use anything else they see which allows them to stretch and dig in their claws.
2007-01-09 23:04:58 · answer #9 · answered by HeatherFeather 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they do this to sharpen their claws and furniture is the most available thing to do this with usually, should get a scratching post for the cat that should help
2007-01-08 12:22:18 · answer #10 · answered by billc4u 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
some believe they are sharpening their claws but here is the truth: THey are marking their territory. Cats do this when they rub against you as well. They have glands in their paws and jaws. Pay close attention next time kitty does these activities.
2007-01-08 12:18:01 · answer #11 · answered by molly 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋