Why cats scratch the sofa

CAT owners who like to shower their pets with affection may want to think twice, for the sake of their upholstery.

A study has shown the more you love your cat, the more likely it is to scratch furniture.

Experts from the University of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil studied 500 cat owners to find out if a stronger bond affects their pet’s behaviour, from clawing to refusing to use a litter tray. The research, published in the Journal of Veterinary Behaviour, found 72 per cent of owners described their pets as ‘affectionate’ and 52 per cent as ‘curious’ – and those who said they had a high level of ‘emotional closeness’ with the cat were more likely to have their furniture scratched or objects destroyed.