Scratching posts are important for cats, providing them their own area to stretch, scratch, and remove dead outer layers from their claws. (catsplay.com)
Cats scratch for many reasons: to remove the dead outer layer of their claws, to mark their territory by leaving both a visual mark and a scent (they have scent glands on their paws), and to stretch their bodies and flex their feet and claws. (humanesociety.org)
The main reason cats scratch is to remove the dead outer layer of their claws. (petslady.com)