Out of all of the pet owners in the world, the biggest complaint they may have pertains to their cats. Cats scratch, and it leads many cat owners todeclaw their cats. However, for cats that go outdoors at all, declawing is not an option. Nevertheless, scratching cats can do a great deal of damage to a house. Here are some of the motivations behind your cat’s scratching habits. Remember, he is not trying to misbehave; the scratching is simply aninnate behavior left over from the feline’s wild ancestors.

Sometimes your cat scratches to keep his claws in shape. It is an instinctual way to maintain the condition of the claws, an act of grooming in a way. Cats really feel the need to scratch because their claws are an essential part of their survival. Keeping their claws in top condition is important in the wild, so in your cat’s mind, the claws are still an essential element of themselves even in the domestic setting.

Other times cats scratch when they stretch their bodies and legs. This scratching is not at all malicious, but instead, an automatic maneuver. Your cat simply wants to feel good, and so flexes his paws, legs, back, and may end up scratching a surface in the process.

Cats tend to scratch out in anger and frustration as well. It is a way for them to mark their place in the world, thus signaling their territory. Cats under a great deal of stress will usually scratch more than calm and content cats.

The most interesting reason for a cat scratching is territorial and instinctual. Cats actually have scent glands on the pads of their paws. When they scratch things, they release that scent onto the item, thus marking their territory. Additionally, the scratches also leave visible signs of the cat’s presence, and further marks their territory. The territorial urges are a very natural part of your cat’s being, and cannot really besuppressed. But remember that your cat is not trying to misbehave, rather he is doing what he thinks is right for his survival.