Understanding cat scratching as a welfare need and providing appropriate outlets that satisfy cats while protecting furniture.
Scratching is a behavioral need that cannot be eliminated without welfare compromise, only redirected to appropriate surfaces. Declawing, still practiced in some countries, removes the last bone of each toe, causing immediate and potentially chronic pain that affects gait and behavior. This procedure is a welfare-compromising response to a management problem that can be solved through appropriate scratching post provision. Cats that scratch furniture are communicating that their scratching needs are not being met appropriately. Successful redirection requires understanding individual scratching preferences and placing appropriate surfaces where cats are motivated to scratch. The investment in appropriate scratching infrastructure is a fundamental welfare responsibility for cat owners.