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. 2024 Jul 3:11:1403068.
doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1403068. eCollection 2024.

Evaluating undesired scratching in domestic cats: a multifactorial approach to understand risk factors

Yasemin Salgirli Demirbas  1   2 , Joana Soares Pereira  3 , Xavier De Jaeger  4 , Laurianne Meppiel  4 , Sarah Endersby  4 , Gonçalo da Graça Pereira  3
Affiliations

Evaluating undesired scratching in domestic cats: a multifactorial approach to understand risk factors

Yasemin Salgirli Demirbas et al. Front Vet Sci. .

Abstract

Introduction: Despite being a natural feline behavior, scratching can become undesirable from a human perspective when directed at household items. This complex behavior can stem from various motivations, ranging from individual cat characteristics to environmental factors. This study investigates the factors influencing the increased level of undesirable scratching behavior in domestic cats, considering both cat-related and environmental aspects.

Methods: Data from 1,211 cats were collected for this study. An online questionnaire comprising three sections was utilized. The first section gathered caregiver demographics, while the subsequent section examined aspects of cats' daily routines, social interactions, environments, behaviours, and temperaments. The final section assessed the frequency and intensity of undesirable scratching behavior in cats. Scratching behavior was evaluated based on a combined scratching index.

Results: The study suggests that the presence of a child may be associated with scratching episodes in the home environment. Additionally, factors such as play duration, playfulness, and nocturnal activity were identified as significant contributors to heightened scratching levels (p ≤ 0.05). Aggressiveness and disruptiveness also played significant roles in increased scratching behavior (p ≤ 0.05). The location of scratching posts emerged as a significant factor, with posts placed in areas frequented by the cat being more effective in redirecting scratching behavior (p ≤ 0.05).

Discussion: This study reveals several significant associations between cat characteristics, nocturnal activity and play, as well as the environment. It underscores the multifaceted nature of undesirable scratching behavior and emphasizes the importance of comprehensively understanding both the individual characteristics of the cat and its environment to effectively address this behavior.

Keywords: behavioural characteristics; cat behavior; domestic cat; environmental factors; undesired scratching.

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Conflict of interest statement

XJ, LM, and SE were employed by Ceva Santé Animale. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The authors declare that this study received funding from Ceva Santé Animale. The funder had the following involvement in the study: data collection.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Cat characteristics according to level of index scratching.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Effect of different factors (A: Child presence at home, B: Cat activity level at night, C: Playfulness of the cat, D: Playing duration) on low and high scratching profiles.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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