“Cat scratching is a natural form of self-expression for felines that satisfies multiple needs associated with health and well-being.  Scratching provides a natural manicure that strips the outer sheath or layer of the claw for hygienic purposes; allows stretching of the muscles, ligaments, and tendons for health and vitality; provides an outlet for responding to stress and crisis; and provides an enjoyable species-specific activity associated with excitement and play.”

This list was created to assist those who need solutions to cat scratching behavior and alternatives to declawing. Our goal is to create an exhaustive list so that people have the information necessary to understand natural healthy cat scratch behavior and practice while feeling empowered and adept at redirecting it to designated scratch surfaces.

NOTE: This list is long and varied in recognition of cat’s individual purrsonalities, pawticular purreferences, and unique cat scratch expressions and impressions. Another words, some of these solutions will work with your cat while others will not. The purrpose is to offer sufficient pawsibilities that can be chosen and implemented based on your specific needs, the needs of your cat, and the needs of your interspecies household. Although we’re wanting to collect 100 pawsibilities, we want people to understand that we’re not suggesting that you use all of these with one cat. We do suggest that people observe their feline family members behavior for cues and clues in order to determine the solutions that will be most effective and functional in their particular cohabitation situation. Although it won’t be necessary for a person to employ every option, solution, or intervention mentioned in the list…more pawsibilities ensure that some solution can be found for any cat, any purrson, and any household.

15.  Your cat calls 9-1-1

14.  Your cat attempts a vertical 3-foot scratch and falls whiskers first into the 2-foot post

13.  The post mysteriously shows up at the neighborhood block sale

12.  The texture of the post creeps your cat out (evident by the frenzied self-cleaning after pawing)

11.  Your cat circles the new post and then reminds you that he’s a horizontal scratcher not a vertical scratcher

10.  Your cat has staring matches with the post from across the room

9.  Visitors see the post and exclaim, “What IS that ugly thing?”

8.  Your pawsitive reward attempts have your cat thinking the post is a treat dispenser not a scratch outlet

7.  The pawsitive reward supply has been exhausted and still no scratch or interest in the post

6.  The couch continues to get more paw and claw action then the post

5.  TIM-BURRR!

4.  Your cat passes off the post to the dog as a fire hydrant

3.  Your feline family members show up at the PAW-N Shop with the post in tow

2.  You notice neighborhood cats looking at the post through the window shaking their heads

1.  First Scratch…Wobble, Wobble…Thump!