One of the most common “negative” behaviours that Bengal cat owners report to us is excessive scratching.
Furniture, carpet, curtains and clothes – you name it, it seems that many Bengals love to scratch it.
Scratching/clawing on the wrong surfaces can be a highly frustrating experience as an owner, as you can wind up with your furniture and other items damaged (and possible expense and hassle in getting repairs done)
So how can you avoid this from happening?
One way is to provide your cat with a scratching post.
But does your Bengal cat actually need a scratching post? Or is it just an unnecessary expenditure?
In this short article we are going to find out!
In our opinion, a scratching post is an essential purchase for any home with a Bengal cat.
Here’s why your Bengal needs a scratching post:
Cat Scratching Is Normal Behavior
As humans, we can sometimes get annoyed with out cats scratching. There is nothing more irritating than catching your cat scratching away at your furniture or soft furnishings. But it is important to remember that cat scratching is normal behaviour.
Punishing your Bengal for scratching is not the best idea. It can cause fear and anxiety in your cat and actually result in more negative behavior. We have to accept that scratching is a normal behavior and instead provide a “safe” outlet for your cat to do so.
Declawing your cat as a solution to scratching is not good, and is really rather cruel to your cat.
You have to accept that your Bengal will want to scratch from time to time, so it’s important to give them an outlet for this ingrained behavior.
A scratching post is one of the best options for allowing your cat to satisfy its need to scratch.
We believe that if you have a Bengal cat, then you need to get them a scratching post.
Why Do Cats Scratch?
Now we’ve established that scratching is a normal bevhavior (and not something to be punished, but instead something to be modified) and that your cat definitely needs a scratching post, we need to understand why your Bengal likes to scratch.
There are a few key reasons for this:
- Scratching helps your cat to mark its scent on an object and to therefore “claim” its territory
- It assists with visual marking of their territory
- Scratching assists with grooming and claw health by removing the outer layer of the claw (you may see this left in carpet, furniture, or the scratching post) – scratching is good for your cat’s health … but you just need to ensure they have an outlet for this behavior that is good for them AND for you
- Scratching releases feel good hormones and relaxes your cat – it feels good for them, just like stretching feels good for humans
- Cats can sometimes scratch to release stress, excessive excitement/energy, or just to calm themselves down. My old Bengal cat, Kala, who has unfortunately passed away, would go to her scratching post when in a bad mood and ‘go to town’ on it.
Conclusion – Do Bengal Cats Need Scratching Posts?
As you can see, your Bengal cat really does need its own scratching post. Scratching is a normal part of feline behaviour, so it’s important to allow your cat to do so in the safest manner possible. Cats simply have an urge to scratch, and it’s important to allow them to do so.
Invest in a quality scratching post, and your cat will love you for it.
There are many different options out there when it comes to scratching posts. However, we have put together a comprehensive guide on the best scratching posts for Bengal cats, which you might like to read to help you find the right option for your needs and budget.
