Difference between cat scratching for body maintenance and scratching for marking territory

As this is a very specific question, the answer will be by necessity short. The clue comes from the position of the scratch marks. As you know cats mark territory with urine spraying and scratching. Scratching leaves a both a visual and olfactory signal as scent is deposited on the object scratched via the pawpads.

Cat scratching near boundaries of their home range

Cat scratching near boundaries of their home range. This can be for marking territory and/or sharpening claws. Photo: MikeB

Indoor/outdoor cats will consider the boundaries of the human home the boundaries of the inner area of their home range. The entire home range will be several acres and more and the boundaries will be outside their caregiver’s home.

For full-time indoor cats their home range boundary is the house or apartment. Therefore, when full-time indoor cats are compelled to mark territory by scratching it will normally be around doors and windows and at the entrance to the hallways. These are the major areas for indoor cats.

For indoor/outdoor cats it will be the same and vertical objects like trees outside the home.

Scratching furniture to sharpen claws and stretch the back

Scratching furniture to sharpen claws and stretch the back. This object is not at the boundary of their home range. Photo: MikeB

When a cat scratches to sharpen claws and stretch their back they will normally use furniture in the living area and the cat scratching posts placed there to direct cats away from furniture.

Although there will be a big overlap here. There is not a clear demarcation as scent and visual marking has a dual role: marking territory and sharpening claws.

Smart scratching post

Smart scratching post. Photo: Michael.

SOME MORE ON CLAWS:

Don't modify the perfect domestic cat

Don’t modify something that is perfect – the domestic cat!

The domestic cat's wildcat ancestor has evolved over about 2 million years. The domestic cat is almost identical to their ...
Read More
Cat scratching furniture

Infographic on the reasons why cats scratch armchairs

This is a hugely debated topic on the internet and has been for years so nothing new here except this ...
Read More
Cat sharpening claws (scratching)

Infographic on cats ‘sharpening their claws’ (scratching)

This is an infographic on a form of feline behaviour which is extensively discussed online and extensively carried out by ...
Read More
Cat claws are protrusible

Domestic cat claws are protrusible not retractable

Domestic cats (and all wild cats bar the cheetah, flat-headed cat and serval - but see last paragraph) are known ...
Read More
Good photo of a cat's claws

Nice photo of a cat’s claws with whiskers in the background

This nicely visualised photo of a cat's claws with whiskers in the background caught my eye today. It is important ...
Read More

Note: sources for news articles are carefully selected but the news is often not independently verified.

Michael Broad

Hi, I'm a 74-year-old retired solicitor (attorney in the US). Before qualifying I worked in many jobs including professional photography. I love nature, cats and all animals. I am concerned about their welfare. If you want to read more click here.

You may also like...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *