Why Cats Need Claws
"Why do cats need their claws?" is asked over and over in many veterinarian's offices. This question is commonly heard when a cat has been ruining furniture or carpets by scratching. Here are just a few answers to this question.
When your cat feels that they need some protection they will want to use 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 or other objects 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 and retreats.
When cats are playing, their claws extend to help them play with toys. 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.
"Why do cats need their claws?"
Cats are very graceful animals and that is in part due to 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 can catch themselves.
Cats end up with stress just like their human counterparts. 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.
Cats are not as unfriendly as you may think. Cats like to have conversations just like humans and that is another situation that a cat will use their claws for. 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.
There are a lot of slippery surfaces in any house and cats will use their claws to try and gain some traction. 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. While grooming your cat may also use their claws to help them stay still and not fall down.
Cats don't use their claws to frustrate you or ruin your furniture or carpets. Cats claws are used for many learned behaviors and your furniture and carpets are just innocent bystanders.
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