Editor’s Note: This is an excerpt from Research Wrapped, a free monthly newsletter that collects the latest scientific research relevant to small animal veterinarians and pulls out practical takeaways. To be the first to receive this newsletter each month, subscribe here.
We know that suitable play is essential to help cats fulfill their needs and avoid misdirected aggression. But what if there’s a certain type of play that could exacerbate the issue? And what if certain factors in the home are making things worse? A recent study could help you counsel frustrated clients.
Dr. Yasemin Demirbas is a European Veterinary Specialist in Behavior Medicine and professor in the department of physiology at Ankara University in Turkey. Her recent study, published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, looks at data from 1211 cats collected via an online questionnaire with 3 sections: caregiver demographics; cats’ daily routines, interactions, and environments; and frequency and intensity of scratching behaviors. She generously answered our questions about the key lessons from her research.
What is the most important takeaway from this study?
Dr. Demirbas: The key takeaway from our study is the strong correlation between specific environmental and behavioral factors and the increase in scratching behavior in cats. Notably, the presence of children and high activity levels, particularly during play and at night, significantly elevate the likelihood of undesirable scratching. Additionally, cats characterized as aggressive or disruptive were found to exhibit higher levels of scratching. These interconnected factors suggest that frustration contributes to the escalation of scratching behavior. These insights highlight the necessity of providing a well-organized environment that fulfills cats’ natural instincts and emotional needs to manage and reduce undesired scratching effectively.
What surprised you the most about the study’s findings?
Dr. Demirbas: What surprised us most was the link between play and undesired scratching. This result suggests that the correct approach to play—both in terms of duration and context—may be key to reducing scratching behavior in cats. Play is essential for fostering a positive emotional state in all living beings; and for cats, structured and routine play is particularly important. Given that play in cats, especially solitary play, is rooted in hunting behaviors, organized play sessions that mimic hunting are crucial for their wellbeing. Extended play sessions that do not lead to a successful “hunt” or a sense of satisfaction—often the case with toys like laser pointers—can trigger stress responses due to frustration, overstimulation, and hyperarousal. Similarly, inadequate or nonexistent play contradicts cats’ natural behavioral needs and can result in distress.
The optimal strategy involves offering short yet frequent and successful play sessions, which mentally and physically stimulate cats, enhance their wellbeing, and help prevent undesirable behaviors. Discovering this relationship in our research has been truly exciting.
Editor’s Note: This article is an excerpt from the Research Wrapped monthly newsletter. Subscribe here for free.
What are the biggest contributors to this behavior at increased levels in the home environment?
Dr. Demirbas: According to our study, the primary contributors to increased scratching behavior in the home environment are the presence of children and high levels of play and nocturnal activity. These factors can similarly and significantly impact a cat’s emotional state, leading to heightened frustration. As a result, undesired scratching may occur as a means for cats to relieve stress and mark their territory.
Do you recommend any physical changes to a caregiver’s environment to minimize undesired scratching behavior?
Dr. Demirbas: Cat caregivers can take several proactive steps to reduce undesired scratching behavior. This involves creating an environment that aligns with the 5 pillars of a healthy cat lifestyle:
- Offer secure hiding places
- Ensure access to multiple and properly placed key resources like scratching posts, food, water, and litter trays
- Encourage natural play behaviors
- Foster positive and consistent human interaction
- Respect the cat’s sense of smell, potentially through the use of pheromone products
A key strategy is to place scratching posts in areas the cat frequently visits, such as near favorite resting spots or common pathways, to encourage the cat to use them instead of furniture. Routine interactive play sessions offer mental and physical stimulation, helping to channel the cat’s energy constructively while also strengthening the human-cat bond. Our previous research highlights the role of pheromone diffusers in managing unwanted scratching, showing how they can reduce this behavior by providing alternative, calming stimuli.
Editor’s Note: This article is an excerpt from the Research Wrapped monthly newsletter. Subscribe here for free.
How can a veterinarian best support and educate cat caregivers on the scratching behavior of cats?
Dr. Demirbas: Veterinarians can best support and educate cat caregivers by explaining the natural motivations behind scratching and assisting in creating an environment that addresses cats’ emotional and physiological needs. Emphasizing that scratching is a normal behavior for communication, claw maintenance, and muscle stretching helps caregivers understand its importance.
The Study:
Evaluating undesired scratching in domestic cats: a multifactorial approach to understand risk factors.
Demirbas YS, Pereira JS, De Jaeger XD, Meppiel L, Endersby S, da Graça Pereira G. Front Vet Sci. doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2024.1403068