Cats and Their Claws

Why do cats need their claws? The list here can tell you a few of the many ways that cats use their claws and why they need them.

· Claws are needed to protect the cat from predators.

· Cats use their claws to help climb trees for fun or when trying to hide from attackers.

· Claws are used to spear or snag a toy that a cat is playing with.

· Cats can use their claws while trying to reach a toy that is behind a piece of furniture.

· The claws of a cat are needed to let a predator know when to leave them alone.

· Cats use their claws by kneading your arm or leg to let you know they love you.

· Cats use their claws to scratch their own fur.

· Cats use their claws to scratch out their territory markings to make it easily recognizable to other cats and themselves for later reference.

There are a myriad of uses for a cat's claws.

· Claws are used to swipe at an attacker as a warning that the cat has had enough.

· Claws are a stress reliever to cats. As cats knead their paws their claws appear and retract consistently which gives them a type of back massage that helps them to relieve stress.

· The claws can be used as exercise for the cat. This works the same way as the stress relief does for the cat by using the muscles to extend and retract their claws they are in fact getting some exercise.

· Cats use their claws for balance when they are walking along high surfaces such as fences or wires.

· Cats use their claws for traction when they are jumping from one place to another or up and down stairs.

· Claws are used when cats feel threatened by extending and showing how sharp their claws are.

· Cats use their claws to energize themselves while stretching by gaining traction on the given surface and then stretching their bodies.

· The claws of a cat help them to climb other structures like a kitty condo.

· Cats can use their claws for manipulating toys such as toy mice or kitty balls.

· Cats use their claws for letting you know they are tired of playing or being held.

· Cats can use their claws to affirm their territory by leaving a scent wherever they have scratched.

· Cats use their claws for walking. Cats naturally walk on the full pads of their paws which includes the claws. A cat without claws walks a bit unnaturally. This would be like a human walking on their toenails.

· The claws of a cat are often used to cover feces in the litter box as a sign of gratitude to you.

A cat's claws are more of a multi-purpose and versatile tool set that any cat can use for just about anything they want to do. Cats are scratching your furniture or other belongings because it comes naturally to them. When cats use their claws they are doing so because it is a natural behavior for them. Cats get exercise when they use their claws to stretch their bodies. Cats also give themselves stress relief when they extend and retract their claws consistently. Cats use their claws as a way to speak to you, other humans and any other animals they may come into contact with. Cats need their claws for any number of reasons and all those reasons are beneficial to the cat and to anything that comes into contact with the cat.

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