If you have cats, your sofa, carpet, etc. in your home must have been scratched by them. Why do cats always like to scratch things?

　　Scratching is a cat’s instinct. Some cats, like dogs, will urinate on objects to mark their territory with scent, and some wild cats leave claw marks on tree trunks or wooden posts to mark territory. Also, studies show that "clawing" is a cat’s way to stretch its body and limbs, or because their nails are too long. Since scratching is an instinct, it is difficult to stop, but you can provide specific scratching places to avoid damaging your furniture and regularly trim their nails to prevent them from becoming too long.

　　There are many scratching posts and boards specially designed for cats on the market. Scratching posts and boards come in many styles, such as flat or vertical. When choosing, consider your cat’s scratching behavior. If it likes scratching on flat surfaces, you should choose a flat scratching board. If it likes climbing, you can choose a vertical scratching post, but make sure it is sturdy and won’t easily fall over.

　　When choosing a scratching post or board, consider the size of your cat’s body as a standard; larger cats need bigger posts. As for materials, cats generally prefer loose-textured fabrics because densely woven fabric can easily catch their claws, so you don’t need to replace the fabric surface too frequently, or else the cat may lose interest. Additionally, you can add toys, catnip sprays, or lemon scents to attract the cat’s interest to the scratching post or board.

　　Most cats like to scratch right after waking up, so it’s best to place scratching spots near where the cat sleeps. When you notice the cat wants to scratch, immediately bring it to the correct spot. If it scratches in the wrong place, say "No" in a tone it dislikes or sprinkle a little water on it to help develop good habits. Remember, scratching is a cat’s instinct—we are not stopping them but redirecting where they scratch.