Applause for Cat Claws

So, did Santa Paws bring you the kitten-of-your-dreams? Congratulations! May y’all share many years of purrfect furry love and trill-ing adventure. When my cat Seren(ipity) arrived almost a dozen years ago, she left her claw-marks everywhere: my furniture, my pant legs, and yes, my heart. If you’re reading this blog, you’re already a cat lover and perhaps quite savvy about cat claw etiquette. For those who need to know, felines use their claws to mark territory with both visual and scented cues. Humans just don’t get it. We provide lovely soft tweed sofas and nubby newel posts, and then object when kitty does what comes naturally. It becomes a battle of wills. When the new kitten tells you, “meowringinginging!” before dancing away from the Persian carpet and targets the divan, she’s cat-calling you names because humans don’t understand kitty scratch-graffiti. Cats claw. Period. You won’t stop her. I considered Seren scratching my pant leg to be a kitty compliment. She thought me important enough territory to mark me as owned. Cat people choose their battles and I’d rather apologize for tattered-looking upholstery than lose out on loving a cat. Besides, old pants survived, bare skin heals, and the undersides of my furniture at least didn’t bleed or show too much damage. You see, Seren liked to claw overhead, pulling herself along on her back beneath the sofa. Several cat trees later--strategically placed near prime scratching routes--as well as weekly claw trims, and we’ve come to an understanding. She leaves my furniture (and bare legs) alone, and I let her practice hurling dirty cat-words at the @#$%^&*! d*g. What does he care--he can’t speak felinese, either. Have a cat scratch story to share? Tell me about it by emailing stories@petside.com