Pet behavior specialist Mustafa Tshash tells Bored Panda that cats aren't out to destroy our homes. "Their "destructive" behaviors are often misinterpreted and can be managed with a better understanding of their instincts and needs. Patience, coupled with the right tools and techniques, goes a long way in creating a harmonious living environment for both you and your feline friend."

According to Tshash, understanding why your furry companion engages in these behaviors is the first step to finding a solution that works for the owner and their pet.

Scratching, specifically, is an instinct that allowed their predecessors to survive and thrive in the wild. It can start as early as 8 weeks of age and lets felines mark their territory by leaving visual and chemical cues as a pheromone is released from the scent gland in their feet. This odor contains information about the animal’s health, sex, and breeding status, all of which other cats can detect.

Felines also scratch surfaces to sharpen their nails, removing the old layers of the nail to expose a new, sharp part underneath. Honed claws allow cats to be better hunters and defend themselves from predators or threats.

Additionally, it lets a cat stretch out its muscles fully, relieving tension. Moreover, the action releases calming chemicals in the brain that help to lessen anxiety and overexcitement.

In the wild, cats often scratch against tree trunks, which leaves a visual and chemical cue at eye level for other felines. For this reason, the arms of couches and the legs of unvarnished wooden furniture are usually the most common targets for territorial scratching of house companions.

Tshash also tells us that kitties are curious by nature. They explore the world with their paws and mouths, chewing on objects and investigating their surroundings. And it so happens that they mistake furniture or other items for toys.

If a person has a young kitten, he additionally warns that teething is often a culprit. "Just like human babies, kittens go through a phase where chewing helps soothe the discomfort of emerging teeth."

Joey Lusvardi certified cat behavior consultant, notes that chewing can be a consequence of boredom. Meanwhile, other destructive behaviors could be the result of stress.

"If you look at the context in which the behavior is occurring, it will give you information about the underlying reason for it. In some cases, destructive behaviors may stem from accidental training.

If your cat is doing something you don’t want them to do and, as an example, you yell at them or use a squirt bottle on them, the attention you’re giving them may encourage them to do the behavior more. Even if it seems like it is “bad” attention, your cat may not see it that way. They may enjoy the attention or think you’re trying to play with them. Your cat’s perspective is what matters."

Because these actions are innate in cats, they can be hard to stop when they become undesirable. The best way to solve this issue is to provide environmental enrichment. "Cats can get bored easily, and boredom often leads to destructive behavior. Provide a variety of toys, climbing trees, and scratching posts to keep them entertained. Puzzle feeders and interactive toys can also work wonders!" says Tshash.

Meanwhile, Lusvardi mentions, "Make sure your cat has an abundance of resources like scratching posts and cat trees spread out in prominent, easy-to-access locations. You likely need more stuff for your cat than you’d think, so a single scratching post isn’t going to cut it. A well-made, sturdy scratching post is better than a cheap, flimsy one."

"Rather than focusing on stopping or suppressing a behavior, you’ll get better results if you try to address the root cause of the problem and encourage an alternative behavior that you’re okay with," further explains Lusvardi.

"Creating fear or stress in your cat often just makes the behavior worse or only temporarily stops it. Redirect your cat to an acceptable outlet for the behavior."

In the case of scratching, he recommends luring felines with catnip or silver vine to the scratching post itself or offering a reward after they use it. "You don’t want to take your cat's paws and place them on the scratcher, as that will only cause them stress and may cause an aversion to the scratching post," he says.

To encourage the use of such an alternative, the owner might want to model how it’s done for the cat by running their nails over the post. This creates an intriguing demonstration that might entice the feline to come and try it.

If that doesn't help solve the issue, Lusvardi advises covering the object with something the cat can scratch. "An over-the-couch scratcher will protect your furniture and give your cat an outlet for scratching.

This will prevent them from going to a different location to scratch instead. If your cat is chewing, cover the object so they can’t chew it, and give them something they can chew. Cat grass or silver vine sticks are great options."

He concludes by saying, "Make sure they get plenty of interactive play with you where they get to hunt, chase, and catch the toy. If the behavior is a sudden change, set up an appointment with your veterinarian to rule out medical causes. If nothing is found, your veterinarian or a cat behavior specialist can help you figure out what to do if you’re stumped."

Tshash even suggests that destructive behavior might mean that the owner should consider a companion for their furry friend. "Sometimes, solo cats get into trouble simply because they’re lonely. If it’s feasible, consider getting a second kitty. Of course, make sure to introduce them properly to avoid any interpersonal kitty drama!"