Scratching Posts: A Cat's "Conversation." A New Perspective on Understanding Them.

Many cat owners have probably experienced seeing their cat scratch at the corner of furniture and involuntarily exclaiming, "Stop!" Even after scolding them, they return to the same spot after a while. However, recent research suggests that scratching is not so much about nail care as it is a deeper behavior for "communication."

The corner of the sofa, the edge of the wallpaper, the leg of a favorite chair. It is said that there is a commonality in the places cats prefer to scratch. These are pathways frequently used by people and cats in the house, meaning "conspicuous places." Many owners have discreetly placed a splendid scratching post in the corner of a room, only for their cat to ultimately return to the sofa in the center of the living room.

This is not because the cat is being mischievous; it seems scratching is inherently an "act meant to be seen." The claw marks themselves become visual signs, serving as signals to other cats in the household and to their owners. That's why the center of the room or places where all family members pass through are chosen. The reason they repeat the behavior even after being scolded may be because, for the cat, this action is linked to the important declaration of "this is my safe place."

In an international survey by Wilson et al., published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery in 2016, questionnaire responses were collected from 4,105 owners across 36 countries, and the role of scratching behavior was re-examined. The study reported that scratching is a behavior that simultaneously performs multiple functions: "chemical and visual marking, sheath maintenance, and forelimb stretching."

Of particular note is chemical marking. Between the toes of a cat's paw pads are small secretory glands called interdigital glands, and when a cat scratches, pheromones are deposited from these glands. In other words, scratching is a complete communication behavior that simultaneously "leaves visible marks" and "subtly places their scent." For cats, it might be similar to the feeling of writing something down. That's why it's so difficult to stop them. This isn't a matter of manners; it's like taking away the cat's very language.

Knowing this, the idea of stopping the behavior itself seems a little off. Wilson's research also recommended "redirecting scratching to an appropriate place" rather than suppressing it. The problem lies beyond that. While many scratching posts and cat trees are functionally correct, they often stand out as an intrusion in the living room landscape. Tall towers, frayed ropes, brightly colored cushions. What is essential for cats becomes something people "prefer to keep out of sight." Before long, these items are relegated to the corner of a bedroom or storeroom, and the cat, not wanting to go all the way there, ends up taking care of business on the sofa or wallpaper. This discrepancy has likely been repeated in many households for years.

For cats, furnya's Cat Cellar is a dedicated place where they can scratch to their heart's content and properly leave their paw pad scent. For people, it blends into the scenery, even when placed in the middle of the living room, with the presence of Scandinavian furniture. Instead of forcing cats to refrain from scratching, we embrace the cat's "conversation" into the room. We hope that Cat Cellar will be welcomed by those who are troubled by damaged furniture, as well as those who are already enjoying life with cats but want to improve the aesthetic.

If you have any questions about how to use it, please feel free to send us a message via our official LINE. Our customer support staff will respond.

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*Reference: Wilson C, Bain M, DePorter T, Beck A, Grassi V, Landsberg G. Owner observations regarding cat scratching behavior: an internet-based survey. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 2016. DOI: 10.1177/1098612X15594414