Veterinarian Nemtseva named the reasons for the cat scratching furniture

Cats can tear up furniture when the owner returns, not out of harmfulness, but because of complex behavioral and physiological mechanisms. This was announced by Candidate of Medical Sciences, veterinarian Yulia Nemtseva on April 3 in an interview with Gazeta.Ru».

According to the expert, this behavior is related to the instincts and emotions of the animal.

"By leaving scratches, a cat doesn't just spoil the upholstery, it "signs" the space, making it its own, familiar and safe. Your return is stressful and disruptive to the stability of odors," she explained.

The expert added that scratching also helps the cat to cope with excitement and tension after waiting for the owner.

"The excitement of the meeting requires an outlet. A scratching post or sofa becomes a tool for "grounding" this energy," Nemtseva noted.

In addition, this behavior can be fixed as a way to attract attention if the owner reacts to the actions of the pet. The specialist stressed that it is pointless to punish a cat, but it is more effective to offer an alternative — to install a scratching post in the meeting area and encourage its use.

Which cat is better to have in the apartment: tips from breeders and veterinarians

And how to prepare the house for the arrival of a cat

Doctor of Veterinary Sciences Igor Glamazdin reported on March 28 that the lighting in the house directly affects the sleep patterns and activity of cats. According to him, excessive light suppresses melatonin production, disrupts circadian rhythms and can cause stress in animals. The expert recommended darkening the room at night, reducing noise levels, and moving active games to daytime or twilight hours to preserve the pet's health.

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