Unwanted Scratching Behavior in Cats: Influence of Management Strategies and Cat and Owner Characteristics.

Abstract

Simple SummaryCat scratching is a self-motivated and natural behavior, yet cat owners commonly report unwanted scratching on household items, such as furniture, walls, and carpets. This study explored the influence of owner management strategies, owner characteristics, and cat characteristics on the performance of unwanted scratching in the home. Perspectives of various intervention and management methods were collected using an online survey (n = 2465). Results reveal that owners generally agreed with providing additional appropriate surfaces and items for their cat to scratch rather than more permanent solutions, such as surrendering, euthanizing, or declawing. There were fewer reports of unwanted scratching for cat owners with older cats, and for those that provide enrichment items (e.g., sisal rope), outdoor access, positive reinforcement training, and restrict access to items they did not want scratched. Through this study, results suggest that cat owner interventions and management strategies can influence reports of unwanted scratching in cats and encourages the continued education to the public on effective options available.Despite scratching behavior in owned domestic cats being a self-motivated and natural behavior, it is commonly reported as a behavior problem by owners when it results in damage to household items. The objectives of this study were to use a cross-sectional survey targeting cat owners within the United States and Canada, to explore perspectives on cat scratching behavior and management strategies, as well as identify factors that influence the performance of inappropriate scratching behavior in the household. A total of 2465 cat owners participated in the survey and three mixed logistic regression models were generated to explore associations between (1) cat demographic factors, (2) provisions of enrichment, and (3) owner demographic and management factors with owner reports of problematic scratching. In this convenience sample, inappropriate scratching was reported by 58% of cat owners. Owner perspectives and management strategies aligned with current recommendations as they preferred to use appropriate surfaces (e.g., cat trees) and training to manage scratching as opposed to surrendering, euthanizing, or declawing. Logistic regression results found fewer reports of unwanted scratching behavior if owners provide enrichment (flat scratching surfaces (p = 0.037), sisal rope (p < 0.0001), and outdoor access (p = 0.01)), reward the use of appropriate scratching objects (p = 0.007), apply attractant to preferred items (p < 0.0001), restrict access to unwanted items (p < 0.0001), provide additional scratching posts (p < 0.0001), and if their cat is 7 years of age or older (p < 0.00001). Whereas if owners use verbal (p < 0.0001) or physical correction (p = 0.007) there were higher reports of unwanted scratching. Results suggest that damage to household items from scratching behavior is related to management strategies owners employ, and these findings can be used to support owner education in mitigation and prevention of inappropriate scratching.