The act of felines raking their claws across woven floor coverings is a common behavior observed in domestic environments. This action, frequently directed towards carpeting, serves multiple biological and behavioral purposes for the animal.
This behavior provides physical benefits, including the removal of the outer sheath of the claws, revealing sharper, newer surfaces. It also allows for stretching of the muscles and tendons in the forelegs and back. Furthermore, scratching leaves a visual marker, and scent glands in the paws deposit pheromones, marking territory and communicating with other felines.