Watch this clip and then read this article…

The CatAWhack Crew Purrforms "Free Your Mind - Free Felines!"

We’ve laid the scratch down!  I bet you didn’t know that The CatAWhack Crew is also musically feline inclined. We took En Vogue’s “Free Your Mind”, released in 1992, and gave it our own new special scratchin’ interpretation. Play the YouTube video while singing our lyrics.

“Purrrejudice, scratched a song about it
Like to hear it? Here it go
Free Felines!

I have claws loaded, all four paws
It doesn’t mean that I’ll do harm to ya, no no
I like a scratchin’, like scratchin’ posts
That doesn’t mean that I’m out scratchin’ folks no no no

Oh my forgive me for scratchin’ here, no
You should have placed a scratchin’ surface right there yea yea
I might scratch another chaise or carpet
It doesn’t mean that I won’t scratch other options

Why oh why must it be this way
Before you declaw me you gotta
Learn how to see me, I said
These claws are mine and don’t take them from me
Be feline kind, don’t be so hasty
Free your mind and the rest will follow
Be feline kind, don’t be so shallow

So I’m a kitteh scratch things and dash
That really doesn’t mean that my behavior’s bad, oh
So why amputate me and change my life
Because you don’t think the price is high for me

I can’t scratch without being shamed, no
You changed my life before I learned what to do, ow
Oh now attitude, why even bother
I can’t change your mind, and now I’m permanently altered

Why oh why must it be this way?
Before you dismiss me you gotta
Learn how to see me, I said
These toes are mine and don’t take them from me
Be feline kind, don’t be so hasty
Free your mind and the rest will follow
Be feline kind, don’t be so shallow
Free Felines!

Why oh why must it be this way?
Before you dismiss me you gotta
Learn how to see me, I said
These claws are mine and don’t take them from me
Be feline kind, don’t be so hasty
Free your mind and the rest will follow
Be feline kind, don’t be so shallow
Free your mind!”

Have other lyrics about cat claw retention?  Land that scratch on our Facebook or Twitter Page.  You can also leave a scratch below this post.

Scratch On Felines…Scratch On!

Do the CatAWhack Scratch!

We Say Knick Knack CatAWhack
Give That Cat a Throne
We say Knick Knack CatAWhack
Scratchin’ Up Your Home
We Say Knick Knack CatAWhack
Leave the Claws Alone
We Say Knick Knack CatAWhack…
Get a CatAWhack!

Your Cat Needs a Purrsonalized Space
It’s No Wonder He’s Scratchin’ Up In Your Place
Get A CatAWhack, Hey What Do You Say?
Cats Have Claws, They Were Built That Way!

Your Cat is Just Tryin’ to Mark Out Some Room
Run Around Your Mattress Like ZOOM, ZOOM, ZOOM
The Boundaries You Mark with Scratch Surfaces They Prefer
Will Keep Claws Off of Your Furniture!

Hey Ho, Paws Up, Let’s Go!
Hey Ho, Claws Out, Scratch Low!

Scratch, Scratch…Let the Cat Scratch
Scratch, Scratch…Let the Cat Scratch
Scratch, Scratch…Let the Cat Scratch
Scratch a CatAWhack!
Don’t Give Your Cat A Whack for Scratching… ABSOLUTELY NOT!… Give a CatAWhack for Scratching!

“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.

This is Kitten.  Kitten lives next door to the CatAWhack Crew.  Kitten is a vertical scratcher.  He purrfers the sides of couches and chairs.  Although his human provided him with a scratching post, it did not dissuade him from scratching the furniture.  Why?  Because the scratching post merely provided a scratch outlet…It did not establish a designated space that set up the conditions for the creation of territorial boundaries and scratch perimeters within an inter-species household.  His human didn’t know what to do.  The veterinarian offered no information about cat behavior, cat scratch reconditioning, nail trimming, or alternatives to declawing.  Kitten was scheduled for a declawing procedure at the same time that he was to be neutered.

When the CatAWhack Crew discovered that Kitten was three days away from being declawed, they sent Bret with the new CatAWhack Unit.  Kitten’s human was totally unaware that declawing was an amputation of the distal toe digits.  However, with this new information, she was open to considering other options.  The following was proposed:

• A 14 day period to help Kitten change his established scratch practice (It takes 14 days to break a habit or change a behavior)
• Washing former scratching haunts with a pet odor remover and covering with double-sided tape
• Positioning the CatAWhack Unit next to former scratching haunts to encourage transfer of scratch practice to the designated surfaces of the unit
• Positioning the CatAWhack Scratch Panel in a vertical position since Kitten purrferred the sides of furniture
• Reinforcing scratch practice on the CatAWhack Unit by providing rewards that appealed to Kitten’s pawticular purreferences (treats, catnip, affection, pawsitive praise, play time)
• Gradually moving the CatAWhack Unit away from the former scratching haunts and toward a more permanent location in order to establish Kitten’s purrsonalized designated space creation within the home environment
• Placing the CatAWhack Unit in front of a window with a view for environmental enrichment; mental stimulation; in order to stimulate Kitten’s predatory claw sharpening preparation in response to outdoor critters (birds, squirrels, rabbits)
• Ensuring that Kitten’s daily living activities (eating, drinking, sleeping, snacking, playing, scratching) occurred on or around the CatAWhack Unit Space Creation.  This created pawsitive associations with the space and made natural recurrent scent placement a reinforcer for return visits and repeat purrformances.
• Removing double sided tape or Sofa Savers from furniture after new scratch practice was established.
• Placing citrus scents on or around old scratching haunts to make these areas less desirable and therefor deterring a potential cat scratch relapse (i.e., orange rinds;natural orange spray; bitter apple sprays or repellents) NOTE:  If spraying directly on furniture, rugs, or carpets, be sure and test on an unseen area before applying
• If Kitten experienced a relapse and began scratching the furniture, exploring what may have triggered the behavior:  Was there anything new or different in the environment?  Did something such as a loud noise startle or spook Kitten when he was occupying his designated space or practicing his scratch behavior?  Was Kitten bored?
• Consider moving the CatAWhack Unit occasionally (every 4-6 months) to another desirable location to keep Kitten engaged, curious, and stimulated OR reconfigure the CatAWhack Unit by moving the scratch panel, bed, or leaf toy OR introduce a new component such as a box, a blanket over half of the unit, or a new toy

When Bret checked in with Kitten’s human at the end of the 14-day period,  she reported that Kitten was scratching the CatAWhack exclusively.  YES!  Way to go Kitten!

Check out these pics of Kitten (When he received his CatAWhack; got a reward for using his CatAWhack; and weeks later as he perches on his CatAWhack and looks out the window):

The CatAWhack Crew wondered…hmmm…If Lady Gaga was a feline (she kind of looks like us in her photo below) how would that change the lyrics of her hit song “Born This Way”?

Lady Gaga advocates for the acceptance and understanding of the unique diversity and creative manifestations within the human race and the right to full free expression of who one is without incurring a backlash of fear, insecurity, hatred, and abuse.

What would Feline Gaga advocate for? The acceptance and understanding of the anatomy, behavior, and communication style of felines and their right to full free expression of who they are, claws and all without incurring declawing (surgical amputation of the first toe digits) procedures that are imposed by uninformed or ill advised humans.

We’ve provided Lady Gaga’s music video so that you have the music accompaniment as you sing Feline Gaga’s new lyrics. Go to the next page where you’ll find the new lyrics in blue. Purr and sing to your hearts content!

The CatAWhack Crew caught up with Charlie’s Mom Christy to see how things were going with the new CatAWhack space creation and this is what she said:

“I was just saying to my husband this morning that I don’t see much of Charlie anymore. I guess he stays mostly in his new place. He has only slept with me once since I brought the CatAWhack home. It is in my daughter Ashlee’s room in front of the window so he can see out over the neighborhood. She says he doesn’t sleep with her anymore either. I would take that as he really does like it a lot! I like it that he doesn’t sleep on top of my legs anymore; as it was difficult to move around while sleeping with a 13 pound cat on my legs.

Maybe he uses his CatAWhack as a place to get away from the puppy’s constant hounding too.”

Check out Charlie’s Pics! Lookin’ pretty comfortable there Charlie…

Felines of the CatAWhack Crew (Macy, Carlita, Bhuton): “Okay Fancy Feast…You really did it this time! Pulling at our heart strings with the sight of two beautiful cats; creating an environment of hope, new beginnings, and optimism; and making us fall in love with the guy who created that pawsome play area. (The Crew looking at human Bret as he types their words and does their bidding) Why can’t you be more like that huh?”

Bret: “In my own defense, haven’t I provided you with multiple CatAWhack Units with soft comfortable Cattress Mattresses? Positioned them in the front of windows streaming with sunlight and great views? Given you a variety of toys in the name of environmental enrichment? Provided treats that make you say ‘Mmmm?’ What? Now you want an entire room?”

Macy: “Do you love us?”

Bret: “Yes.”

Bhuton: “Nuff said Fred. Our work is done here. C’mon guys, let’s go take some measurements. Carlita, I want you to work on the design elements…Remember, Think BIG!”

Bret: “Fred? My name is Bret.”

Carlita: “I think the guy in the video is named Fred. See him as a role model. Okay Fred?”

Macy: “All of our CatAWhacks in the same room! We’ll need a few in the common areas too in case we want to hang around with Fred.”

Bret: “Guys? Where are you goin’? Guys…?”

It was a momentous occasion on February 17th, Purrsday Thursday, at 1:00 pm as we prepared to draw the name of the peep who would bring the CatAWhack home to a hopeful feline. Who better to draw the winner than Kim McCullough, Store Manager of Treats Unleashed, The Natural Place for Pets, at the final display location?!

Click the ‘READ MORE’ tab for more details…

You may wonder if a mere feline contemplates the significance of existing atop a suspended blue ball hanging in the middle of vast open space. Well, we don’t. The only balls that catch our attention are those that we can bat, grab, flip, and chase right here, right now. For us, it is the only ball that matters.

Do we gaze at the stars, the pinpoint lights against a black back drop, as we sit perched in front of a window? We find ourselves bathed in the illumination of the moon and the stars and we appreciate that which creates the fall of shadows across our playground where silhouette movements inspire our interest. We bask in the brightness of the sun and appreciate the warmth it provides.

Do we explore our purrpose for being? Our purrpose is that which we say it is. We define the immediate momentary objectives of life experience: eating, sleeping, playing, communicating, cuddling…

We see that which is right in front of us and call it good. We stretch out our paw to find our family members…those furry and otherwise. We accent the pawsitive, placing our focus and attention on those things that make us purr. We enjoy the comforts, the company, the cuisine…all of those great “C” words that enhance the quality of our experience and yield a state of contentment.

Is there a need to allow our thoughts to drift to musings beyond what we know? Only if it inspires a purr, a pounce, a pawticular state of being that feels good…you betcha!

Ah, to purrceive of that which lies beyond the window of our enclosure is a wondrous leap…to purrceive of that which lies beyond our shared world…an elevated stretch beyond our perch into the feline frontier.

Our exploration begins now…our destination unknown, the answers unnecessary. We venture out with physical action and deliberate effort…we venture out in imagination…either way, we venture beyond limits saying, “That’s one small step for cat, one giant leap for feline pride.”