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A silver tabby cat with wide eyes sitting next to a chewed couch cushion with fluffy stuffing on the fabric 24 / 27

A Silver Tabby Froze When the Couch Cushion Lost Its Stuffing

AI imagesilver tabbycouch cushioncaught in the act

Frozen with big green eyes, a silver tabby sits beside a couch cushion that has been shredded along its edge. White tufts of stuffing cling to the fabric and to her paws, and a neat pair of stripes runs down her gray coat. Behind her, a gray sofa, a chair, and a plant sit in a sunny room. Her whiskers point forward, and she appears to be listening very hard for any sign that she has been discovered.

Cats scratch and chew soft furniture for several reasons. It keeps their claws healthy, marks their territory with scent from glands in their paws, and gives them a satisfying stretch. A good solution is to offer several scratching posts, including a tall sturdy one and a horizontal one, and place them near the furniture she loves most. Rewarding her with praise and a treat when she uses them helps build the habit. If a cat chews and swallows fabric or stuffing, talk to your vet, since these items can cause trouble in the stomach.

She seems to be waiting for a verdict, and the long pause is almost comic. The cushion will need to be flipped to the back of the couch, and she has already forgotten about it. In her mind, she was just doing important maintenance. A quick vacuum will fix the floor, but her wide eyes will stay in memory for a while.

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