Abstract Preferences for scratchers in adult cats have not yet been explored. Thirty-six adult cats were the subjects in three experiments to evaluate adult cat in-home preferences for scratchers, scratching materials, and the use of scratchers with added olfactory stimuli. Scratchers compared in each of the first two experiments were presented to cats at the same time with randomized sequences of how scratchers lined up together among homes. Cats had access to scratchers for a one-week video-recorded observation period. Frequency and duration of daily scratching and interactions, as well as calculated preference indexes (PIs) of these measurements were compared among scratchers. In Exp. 1, laying, S-shaped cardboard and standing cardboard scratchers were compared. The PIs were higher (n = 7 houses, 18 cats, P 0.10). In Exp. 2, preferences of scratchers covered with rope, cardboard, sofa fabric, and carpet were observed (n = 14 houses, 25 cats, P ≤ 0.05). Scratchers covered with rope and cardboard had higher (P ≤ 0.05) behavioral interactions than scratchers with sofa fabric. In Exp. 3, the effects of feline interdigital semiochemicals (FIS), powdered catnip (CN), and silver vine (SV) on the use of scratchers were investigated. Each treatment was delivered in a sock hung on a standing cardboard scratcher and compared to a control scratcher with an untreated sock for two days. Catnip increased the scratching duration (n = 7 houses, W = 14, P = 0.02), and the interaction duration (n = 7 houses, W = 14, P = 0.02) and frequency (n = 7 houses, W = 14, P = 0.02) compa red to control. Silver vine also increased the duration (n = 7 houses, W = 14, P = 0.02) and frequency (n = 7 houses, W = 14, P = 0.02) of the interactions. Both CN- and SV-treated scratchers had higher (n = 7 houses, 20 cats, P ≤ 0.05) PIs of scratching and interaction related measurements compared to the FIS-treated scratcher. Scratchers in an upright form covered with cardboard or rope may be suitable for adult household cats and the application of CN or SV can be helpful in increasing the use of scratchers.

中文翻译：

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成年家猫的抓挠偏好以及嗅觉补充剂对猫抓挠的影响

摘要 尚未探索成年猫对抓挠的偏好。36 只成年猫是三个实验的受试者，以评估成年猫在家中对抓挠、抓挠材料和使用具有额外嗅觉刺激的抓挠的偏好。在前两个实验中比较的抓挠器同时呈现给猫，随机序列显示抓挠器如何在家庭中排列在一起。在为期一周的视频记录观察期内，猫可以使用抓挠器。每天抓挠和互动的频率和持续时间，以及这些测量的计算偏好指数 (PI) 在抓挠者之间进行比较。在 Exp. 1、铺设、S形纸板和立式纸板刮板进行比较。PI 更高（n = 7 个房子，18 只猫，P = 0.10）。在 Exp. 2、观察到用绳子、纸板、沙发织物和地毯覆盖的抓挠器的偏好（n = 14 间房屋，25 只猫，P ≤ 0.05）。用绳子和纸板覆盖的抓挠者比用沙发织物的抓挠者具有更高的（P ≤ 0.05）行为互动。在 Exp. 3，研究了猫的叉指化学信息素 (FIS)、猫薄荷粉 (CN) 和银藤 (SV) 对抓挠器使用的影响。每次处理都在袜子中进行，袜子悬挂在站立的硬纸板刮刀上，并与未处理袜子的对照刮刀进行了两天的比较。猫薄荷增加了抓挠持续时间（n = 7 个房子，W = 14，P = 0.02），以及交互持续时间（n = 7 个房子，W = 14，P = 0.02）和频率（n = 7 个房子，W = 14， P = 0.02) 与对照相比。银藤也增加了持续时间（n = 7 房屋，W = 14，P = 0。02) 和频率（n = 7 个房子，W = 14，P = 0.02）的相互作用。与 FIS 处理的抓挠器相比，CN 和 SV 处理的抓挠器具有更高（n = 7 个房子，20 只猫，P ≤ 0.05）的抓挠和交互相关测量的 PI。用纸板或绳索覆盖的直立形式的抓手可能适合成年家猫，而 CN 或 SV 的应用有助于增加抓手的使用。