Your Cat's Claws

One of the cat's most distinctive features is his claws. He can extend them in a flash to slash out at an enemy or to climb to safety. Your cat's claws are very important to him-they are part of his body and very much part of his being a cat.

Why Do Cats Claw?

You will be better able to train or re-train your cat if you take the time to understand why he claws things. Cats claw for three reasons.

TO SHARPEN OR CONDITION NAILS

A cat claws a rough surface to file his nails smooth, just like you do with an emery board.

TO MARK TERRITORY

A cat marks off an area, such as the inside of the house, to reassure himself that he has a safe place to exist. One way he brands his territory is by regularly clawing several spots in the area to leave both a visible and a scent mark. He also can mark territory by urination and by head or cheek rubbing. (Lions in the wild, and other big cats also do this.)

TO EXERCISE AND HAVE FUN

Cats experience considerable pleasure and have a sense of power from their feet and claws. They enjoy the act of clawing and derive exercise from it as well.

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