If there's one thing all cat parents can commiserate about together, it's their scratch-covered furniture. Or how their previously straight table legs are now curved thanks to years of abuse. But according to Dr. Tony Buffington, a veterinarian and "cat guru," this habit used to serve a very important purpose for your pet.
Before cats lived inside cozy houses and the biggest challenge in their day was finding the sunniest spot to take a nap, they had to hunt for food and defend themselves from predators. So they scratched rough surfaces as a way to keep their claws sharp. Even though modern cats don't have these same struggles, scratching is a means for them to relieve stress and stretch their back and leg muscles.
Fair enough, but that doesn't mean your furniture should have to look like you took a cheese grater to it. To train your pet, the Humane Society recommends covering furniture surfaces with materials your cat won't like, like sticky tape or aluminum foil. Then, install a scratching post as an alternative and reward your feline with a treat or belly rub when they use it.
Watch and learn more about your cat's quirky behavior — including why they purr (it doesn't always mean they're happy!) and why they hide in tiny spaces:
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