Infographic on ‘risk factors’ in domestic cat scratching

The research by Dr Salgirli Demirbas, a veterinary researcher at Ankara University and team did little in my honest opinion to advance our knowledge of the reasons why domestic cats scratch in an unwanted way – people and furniture and not scratching posts which is obviously acceptable.

However, it is useful in highlighting the need for parents to educate their children on how to relate to an interact with the family cat in a way that is acceptable to the cat. (✿◡‿◡) Once again this is obvious but parents sometimes buy a kitten for their child who loves cats (great idea in principle) without ensuring the child is literally trained on how to interact a cat. So important to avoid an early cat relinquishment to the local shelter because the kitten scratched the child. This reason for cat relinquishment is not uncommon and features quite high in an extensive list which you can see below. “Aggression towards people” is what I am referring to.

One noteworthy finding is the influence of the presence of a child at home on the high level of scratching behavior. It appears that the presence of a child in the household could potentially contribute to heightened stress levels, thereby leading to more frequent and intense scratching episodes – the study. Link: https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2024.1403068

It is the presence of a child which is regarded as a ‘risk factor’, which news media have focused on and discussed at length but to be frank, this is nothing new. Children can sometimes be scary for cats as their movements are unpredictable and they are noisy (not always!). Cats can be frightened by the sound of a child crying for example. Humans are drawn to helping a crying child while domestic cats sometimes run away from it. It depends on the cat and there are some great friendships between kids and cats. Cats are very into the smell of kids! Well, cats are very into the smell of everything. They link body odour to the individual and in a close bond the cat will love to be ‘bathed’ in their human friend’s body scent.

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Some more:

Cats can be great companions for children, but there are some things to consider to ensure a good fit for your family.

Cats can be good for children in these ways:

• Teach responsibility: Caring for a cat teaches children valuable lessons about responsibility, empathy, and compassion.
• Provide companionship: Cats can offer children a furry friend to play with and cuddle.
• Reduce stress: Studies have shown that interacting with pets can lower blood pressure and stress levels, which can be beneficial for both children and adults.

Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Age of the child: Young children may be too rough for kittens. Opt for an older, calmer cat if you have toddlers.
• Cat’s temperament: Look for a cat that is known for being patient, playful, and affectionate with children. Breeds like Ragdolls, Siamese, and Burmese are known to be good with kids.
• Supervision: No matter the cat’s temperament, it’s important to supervise interactions between young children and cats to avoid any unintentional scratches or bites.

Here are some resources to help you choose the right cat for your family:

• American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
• The Humane Society of the United States