Research overview: interdigital glands and scratch marking

When cats scratch surfaces, they leave more than visible marks; scent glands between the toes deposit chemical signals as well. This overview surveys the role of interdigital, or paw, glands in scent marking through scratching, which combines a visual scratch, a chemical deposit, and a physical claw-maintenance function. The secretions left behind contribute to territorial communication, labeling prominent scratched locations with the cat's scent. The survey relates this to the multimodal nature of scratch marking, which signals through sight and smell at once, and to the detection of the deposited chemicals by other cats. It discusses how scratching at visible, frequently used sites maximizes the signal's reach. Understanding interdigital scent marking reframes scratching as more than claw care or a nuisance: it is a communication behavior that integrates a durable visual mark with a chemical message, broadcasting the cat's presence and identity within its territory.