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A silver tabby American Shorthair looks up beside a brown leather armchair covered in scratch marks. 6 / 31

The Leather Chair Has Scratches, and the Tabby Has an Alibi

AI imageamerican shorthairscratchingliving room

The old leather armchair has seen better days. Its arm and seat are covered in pale scratch marks, and little flakes of leather lie on the floor around its legs. Right beside it sits a silver tabby with swirling gray stripes and wide, round eyes, looking up at the camera with an expression of perfect innocence. Her ears are alert, her chest is white, and her paws are placed neatly together.

Cats scratch for good reasons: it stretches their muscles, sharpens their claws, and leaves both a visual mark and a scent from glands in their paws. It is not a sign of spite, so scolding rarely helps. A tall, sturdy scratching post placed right beside the favorite furniture works best, especially if it is covered in rough material like sisal and is tall enough for a full stretch. Rubbing a little dried catnip on the post can make it more appealing. Keeping nails trimmed also helps, and your vet can show you how.

We will call her Sterling. She looks quite calm about the whole affair, as though the chair had been designed as a scratching post all along. Her eyes hold a patient, thoughtful look, and her tail is curled neatly beside her. The chair has plenty of character now, and it will certainly have a story to tell, but she is not about to confirm any details.

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