The domestic cat exhibits sociability as a trait, forming and maintaining social bonds with humans despite not being socially dependent (1–3). As a result of common social history with humans for almost 10,000 years, they can easily adapt to human environments even though most of their behavioural biology still mimics that of their solitary ancestors (4). Domestic cats have a complex nature, as they are both social animals and possess strong territorial instincts. This complexity often leads people to misinterpret cats’ behavioural and environmental needs, regardless of their level of theoretical knowledge (5, 6). Scratching behavior, which is included in the normal behavioural repertoire of cats, is one of the most apparent examples of this misinterpretation, as this behavior is often perceived as a behavioural problem by caregivers (7, 8).

Undesired scratching, a behavior characterized by the destructive targeting of household items (9, 10), poses a significant threat to feline welfare, often prompting misperceptions and interventions within domestic settings. Caregivers often feel frustrated due to the destructive impact of scratching behavior on their living space (11). This frustration can heighten when both the cat’s stress levels and scratching behavior increase simultaneously in response to confrontational interventions such as positive punishment. In such cases, scratching behavior may serve as a marking behavior in reaction to heightened social tension (10, 12). This frustration may escalate to extreme measures taken by caregivers, such as onychectomy, relinquishment of the cat, or even euthanasia (8, 13). Despite widespread opposition from veterinary authorities to onychectomy (14), it remains a contentious approach for managing undesirable scratching, particularly when the alternatives involve euthanizing the cat (15, 16).

Several studies have investigated the main causes of undesired scratching by considering various aspects. Some studies examined environmental stressors (17) and needs of cats (10), while others focused on management strategies and demographics of cats and their caregivers (12, 18). The only proposed link between cat demographics and undesired scratching in these studies was age, i.e., a higher possibility of scratching was observed in younger cats (10, 12). The absence of suitable scratching materials in the environment and a lack of understanding of cat ethology are proposed as major contributors to the development of this problem (12). Positive punishment was further reported to be associated with increased level of scratching (12). On the other hand, the use of positive reinforcement methods (10) or feline synthetic pheromones (18–20) are suggested to help reduce undesired scratching.

In cat ethology, scratching serves many purposes such as maintaining claw health, provision of safety by marking and social communication (10, 21). Therefore, the underlying motivation of scratching is multifactorial and depends not only on social and physical factors but also on the individual cat. Given that scratching is an essential element of the natural behavior of cats, it is crucial to understand cat related factors that may cause an increase in intensity or frequency of this behavior, to ensure good welfare of cats.

This study aims to comprehensively evaluate undesired scratching by assessing the intensity and frequency of this behavior, as opposed to assessing its presence vs. absence. Furthermore, the study seeks to shed light on the risk factors related to cat behaviours and environmental factors that may be associated with increased scratching levels in the home environment. The hypothesis posits that certain behavioural characteristics of cats could be significantly linked to higher levels of scratching behavior. Thus, this research seeks to offer a deeper understanding of the reasons behind undesired scratching, ultimately providing valuable insights for the development of more effective and tailored interventions to enhance the well-being of cats and strengthen their bonds with their human companions.

The present study aimed to investigate the factors influencing the level of undesired scratching behavior in domestic cats, adopting a multifactorial approach that considered various behavioural and environmental aspects. The findings reveal a significant association between specific factors and cats in high scratching profiles.

One noteworthy finding is the influence of the presence of a child at home on the high level of scratching behavior. It appears that the presence of a child in the household could potentially contribute to heightened stress levels, thereby leading to more frequent and intense scratching episodes (24). This outcome aligns with previous research suggesting that the presence of children, particularly during specific developmental stages, might amplify the likelihood of undesirable scratching incidents within the home (25). Conversely, it is crucial to highlight that presence of children have been documented as a prominent factor behind the relinquishment or return of adopted pets (26, 27). While most studies predominantly concentrate on the well-being and health of the human residents sharing the same household with cats, these findings underscore the significance of evaluating the quality of life for both constituents – humans and pets – to ensure the establishment of a harmonious environment. One additional factor that should be discussed here is that, within the scope of this study, no detailed investigation has been conducted regarding children-cat interaction. Specifically, the presence of either the child or the cat at the beginning, as well as the age of the children interacting with the cat, was not examined. Consequently, further research is required to determine whether the cat’s behavior is influenced by the arrival of a new child as a family member or is generally associated with the intrinsic presence of the child. Additionally, exploring whether the age of the child contributes to scratching behavior is a factor that warrants further investigation.

Similar to a recent study (28), this study also underscores the importance of play behavior in preventing undesired problem behaviours exhibited by cats in the household environment. According to the findings of this study, factors such as the duration of play, playfulness, and nocturnal activity were identified as influencing the level of scratching behavior. This suggests that cats characterized by increased playfulness and engaged in prolonged play and activity sessions tend to exhibit heightened scratching activities. A potential explanation for the association between heightened activity/play and increased scratching involves sustained sympathetic arousal, which may be connected to vigilance and stress, thereby amplifying marking-induced scratching behavior (29, 30). Play itself holds a crucial role in the well-being of cats, serving as an outlet for their inherent hunting and exploration instincts (31, 32). Nevertheless, in the wild, individual play is intertwined with predation, necessitating a heightened arousal level for repetitive yet brief periods (33, 34). The observed association between intensified play and heightened nocturnal activity may suggest prolonged or inappropriate play routines for cats, potentially leading to increased stress and irritability. This result may underscore the significance of implementing appropriate play routines and periods for cats as it is stated above (32).

Inadequate or insufficient play and hunting opportunities may further result in frustration, prompting increased scratching as a stress release mechanism (35, 36). Additionally, frustration can serve as a potential underlying factor for disruptive behavior, which is in turn associated with a higher level of scratching behavior. This observation posits that cats with a lower threshold for frustration may exhibit heightened scratching responses as a manifestation of stress, or the environment’s failure to meet basic needs may induce frustration, leading to elevated aggressiveness and disruptiveness (37). Emphasizing the significance of the five pillars of cat care, including the provision of appropriate play opportunities (34), is crucial. Promoting regular and brief interactive play sessions, coupled with offering suitable toys, can alleviate stress and consequently reduce undesirable scratching behaviours.

In this study, the location of the scratching post emerged as a significant factor influencing scratching behavior, It was further revealed that the scratching post was situated in the same room where scratching occured for both low and high level scratchers. Given that scratching behavior in cats typically manifests in socially significant areas, it may be inferred that the motivation behind this behavior serves as a means of expressing their underlying emotional state (38, 39). Cats may prefer specific locations for scratching that align with their territorial and marking patterns. Providing well-positioned scratching posts in areas frequented by the cat may help redirect scratching to more appropriate surfaces, reducing damage to household items (40).

While this study provides valuable insights into scratching behavior in domestic cats, it is important to acknowledge several limitations. Firstly, relying on caregiver-reported data introduces potential biases due to subjective interpretation and recall biases inherent in such reports. However, it is worth noting that the study assessed scratching behavior based on observations over the previous 7 days, which may help mitigate bias stemming from caregivers’ memory. Additionally, previous research has demonstrated the reliability of the assessment scale across different caregivers within households, suggesting that memory-related biases may not significantly impact the scores (23). Moreover, given the significant role of caregiver perspectives in shaping feline welfare, bias resulting from caregiver perception may still offer valuable insights into factors related to undesired scratching. Even if this assessment relies on caregiver reports, it is important to keep in mind that this behavior is never directly assessed by the veterinarian and is always based on caregiver reports or complaints. Another limitation lies in the adoption of a cross-sectional research design. Although this design allows for identifying associations between factors and scratching behavior, longitudinal investigations are crucial for understanding the temporal dynamics and causal pathways underlying undesired scratching behavior in domestic cats. Lastly, the lack of detailed exploration into the nuances of children-cat interaction, including factors such as the age of the child and the timing of their introduction to the cat, limits our understanding of their influence on scratching behavior in domestic cats. Addressing these limitations in future studies is essential for advancing our comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted factors contributing to undesired scratching behavior in the home environment.

In conclusion, this study unveils the intricate and multifaceted nature of undesired scratching behavior in domestic indoor cats. Gaining insights into these contributing factors is paramount for cat caregivers, as it enables the implementation of targeted interventions to encourage appropriate scratching and improve the overall well-being of their feline companions. The pivotal role of addressing both the physical and social needs of cats emerges as a critical strategy in mitigating undesirable behaviours. This holistic approach ensures a comprehensive understanding and effective management of scratching-related issues in domestic cats.

The raw data supporting the conclusions of this article will be made available by the authors, without undue reservation.

The animal studies were approved by Ceva Santé Animale Committee (ref CFAEC-2022-08). The studies were conducted in accordance with the local legislation and institutional requirements. Written informed consent was obtained from the owners for the participation of their animals in this study.

YD: Conceptualization, Investigation, Methodology, Supervision, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. JP: Conceptualization, Methodology, Supervision, Writing – review & editing. XJ: Data curation, Formal analysis, Methodology, Visualization, Writing – review & editing. LM: Data curation, Formal analysis, Software, Visualization, Writing – review & editing. SE: Conceptualization, Methodology, Writing – review & editing. GG: Conceptualization, Data curation, Investigation, Methodology, Supervision, Writing – review & editing.