New research published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior suggests that a cat's scratching behavior may symbolize a strong emotional bond with its owner. Fernanda Vieira Amorim da Costa, a co-author and associate professor from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, stated that the findings could enhance the relationship between humans and their pets by encouraging owners to deepen their understanding of feline behavior.
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The study involved an online survey completed by 500 cat owners in Brazil, based on the Cat Owner Relationship Scale, which measures an owner's perceived relationship with their pet. The researchers analyzed the link between owners' emotional closeness and instances of undesirable behaviors in their cats.
Key findings indicated that factors such as having multiple pets and regular veterinary visits correlated with stronger emotional bonds. The survey revealed that approximately 90 percent of respondents were female, who demonstrated a higher level of emotional closeness than their male counterparts, aligning with previous studies on human-cat relationships.
Interestingly, while behaviors such as house-soiling and aggression did not correlate with emotional closeness, a notable result showed that owners of cats that scratched furniture reported a higher level of attachment compared to those whose cats did not exhibit this behavior.
Experts explain that scratching is a natural behavior for cats and serves their emotional needs. Katherine Pankratz, a veterinary behaviorist, noted that destructive behavior could arise from a pet's need for attention, and owners who are more emotionally connected may be more forgiving of such behaviors. Pankratz also suggested that owners with less emotional attachment might overlook their cat's needs, leading to fewer observations of scratching behavior.
To address scratching behavior, Pankratz recommended providing appropriate scratching posts and making furniture less inviting for cats by using deterrents like double-sided tape. Owners are cautioned against punishing their pets, as it could damage their bond. Chyrle Bonk, another veterinarian, emphasized that changes in a household, such as relocations or new family members, could increase scratching behaviors due to shifts in attention given to the cat.