Get information on pet products and promotions. Sarah Wilson Scratching is a natural behavior, one you find annoying only because it involves objects you value. If your cat only scratched his post or a tree outside, you would never think about it at all. Begin this section by understanding it is what he scratches not that he scratches that is the problem. The three most common reasons for destructive scratching are nail maintenance, marking territory, and stress release.
Nail maintenance is pretty much a side benefit to most scratching.
From the look on cat's faces when they scratch, we suspect it is pleasurable for them to sink their claws in and pull. Probably gives a wonderful stretch to all the retractor muscles in the paw. Scratching cleans the nails up, removing the scaling outer shell. It also sharpens the claws. You can greatly limit the damage done by a scratching cat by keeping his nails trimmed short.