Cats have an innate need to scratch. It helps them remove old claw sheaths, stretch their bodies, and mark their territory with pheromones from their paw pads. Providing appropriate scratching outlets like posts and pads is crucial to prevent your cat from damaging your home and furniture.
Why Do Cats Scratch?
Cats scratch for several reasons:
- To remove old claw sheaths – The outer layer of a cat’s claws continuously sheds as new layers grow underneath. Scratching helps them remove these old sheaths and keeps their claws sharp.
- To stretch their body – Scratching is a good full body stretch for cats. It allows them to extend their back, shoulders, and hind legs.
- To mark territory – Cats have scent glands on their paws. When they scratch, they release pheromones that mark their domain.
- To relieve stress – Scratching helps cats relieve stress and anxiety. It’s a calming, rewarding activity for them.
Do Scratching Posts Wear Down Cat Claws?
Yes, using scratching posts does gradually wear down and blunt cat claws to some degree. Here’s how:
- Scratching sheds the outer claw sheaths – As cats scratch, the outermost layers of their claws get worn off and shed. This is normal and helps maintain sharp, healthy claws.
- Scratching surfaces wear down claw tips – Scratching against a rough surface slowly erodes and blunts the sharp tips of claws over time. Sisal and cardboard are rougher and cause more dulling than carpets or wood.
- Blunted claws grow back sharp – Cats’ claws are retractable and continuously grow. Even if worn down, they regrow sharp again within days or weeks. So dulling is temporary.
However, scratching posts don’t wear down claws enough to obviate trimming. Cat claws still need regular trimming to avoid problems.
Do Cats Need Their Claws Trimmed if They Use Scratching Posts?
Yes, you should still trim your cat’s claws regularly even if they use scratching posts. Here’s why:
- Scratching only blunts the very tips – It doesn’t wear down the whole claw length. The sharp sides and points still need trimming.
- Overgrown claws can curve into the paw pads – Causing pain and mobility issues if left untrimmed.
- Thick old claw sheaths need manual removal – Scratching posts don’t remove old sheaths as effectively as trimming.
- Indoor cats need more trimming – With less opportunity to scratch outdoors, their claws grow faster.
So provide appropriate scratching outlets for your cat but also trim their claws every 2-4 weeks for health and safety. Their scratching habits don’t eliminate the need for claw trims.
Conclusion
Regularly using scratching posts does slightly dull the tips of cat claws over time. However, it doesn’t wearing them down enough to replace proper nail trims every few weeks. Scratching helps shed old sheaths but doesn’t shorten or fully blunt sharp claws. Cats still need their claws manually trimmed to manage overgrowth and avoid issues. So the answer is yes, cats should still get claw trims even if they scratch frequently on posts. Provide appropriate scratching outlets and regularly trim claws for happy, healthy paws.