Cat Scratch Fever?
Do you ever wonder why your cat needs those sharp claws that seem to always be hurting you and your furniture? Here are some reasons that may help you make sense of cats and their claws.
Protection can perhaps be one of the most important reasons as to why cats need their claws. Cats use their claws to lash out at their enemies whenever the cat feels that they themselves are in danger. Cats also use their claws to climb trees when they feel threatened by an attacker. When cats show their claws most enemies will leave them alone because the cats' claws are so sharp and the enemy is aware of that fact then retreats. Cats can garner a lot of attention just by making a quick swipe across another animal's nose with their claws outstretched.
Make sense of cats and their claws.
Playing is another great reason as to why cats need their claws. Cats claws are great for snagging toys either in the air or hidden behind other objects like furniture or trees. Cats love batting at toys and play hunting for other toys. The claws of the cat make it easy for them to get those toys and manipulate the toys that they are batting at or hunting for.
Scratching is a very important reason as to why cats need their claws. Cats use scratching as a stress reliever and not as a reason to ruin your sofas like many cat owners think. Scratching for a cat releases stress, affirms territory and exercises the back and neck muscles of the cat. Claws will make this scratching activity so much better for your cat by letting them extend and retract their claws. This is true because scratching releases the tension between the embedded claws and the upper body muscles of the cat. Scratching with claws leaves visual markings for the territory and the scratching gives off sounds that are relaxing to a cat. Scratching without claws does not give the same satisfaction to cats and the cat may become depressed.
Conversation is just one of the other many reasons as to why cats need their claws. When a cat repeatedly contracts their claws in and out in a massaging type action anywhere on your body it is trying to tell you that they love you and are grateful toward you. When a cat lets their claws out without retracting those claws it is a way to show you a warning that they are tired of playing or sitting with you for the time being, it is a way to say they have had enough and want to move on.
Traction for a cat is also a good reason why they need their claws. The claws help the cat on slippery surfaces by digging a little into that surface so that cats can get a good grip and not fall off. While running through a house your cats claws are being used as cleats to garner more agility and help them to run faster. Most cats will use both front and back claws to gain traction when jumping and running.
Balance and agility is another reason as to why cats need their claws. The claws come out on a cat when they are jumping from one surface or another helping the cat to remain graceful and keep their balance. The cats claws are also used when they are falling to help them gain hold of the surface that they are falling onto so that they do not get hurt and catch themselves.
Why cats need their claws is a fairly easily answered question. Cats don't use their claws to annoy their owners but instead they use their claws to protect themselves from attackers or getting hurt and as a means of conversation.
Meet gLitter