January 23, 2009

Dear Obie,
My name is Simon, and I was adopted a year ago from a shelter here in Florida. My human has been getting upset with me recently because I have been scratching the couch, but there is nothing else in the house I can sharpen my claws on. I don't want my human mommy to be mad at me. HELP!
Signed, Simon
Port Charlotte, Florida


Dear Simon,
Scratching has always been a trouble spot between kitties and our humans. Scratching is a natural function for a cat. Cats scratch for several reasons. One is to mark our territory, not just through the visible claw marks but also through a scent left by the pads on our paws. Another reason is for exercise. Scratching helps us to stretch and work the muscles in our front legs and chest. And we also scratch just because it feels so darn good!

Some humans will punish their kitty when they catch him or her scratching, but that never works! For one thing, we as kitties have no idea what we're being punished for. If a kitty scratches a chair ten times a day when their human is at work and then the human comes home and squirts the kitty with water for scratching the same chair, that just confuses the kitty and might even make him scratch more! So the best alternative to punishment is to provide kitty with something they can scratch. A scratching post with sisal rope is the best, because it is rough enough to feel really good and it is tough enough to stand up to repeated scratchings. Just make sure the post is tall enough for kitty to stretch out when scratching, and has a large enough base that it won't fall over. Us kitties don't like being scared, and if the post falls over and scares us, we might never use it again!

It is very important to place the scratching post in the highest traffic area of the house, where the family hangs out! We felines are social critters, we love to be around our humans, so if you hide our scratching post in a back bedroom, we're probably not going to use it. Use more than one; heck, a scratching post in every room is my idea of paradise! And when you see your kitty using the post, praise him! Tell him what a good kitty he is!

Simon, I hope your human reads this and buys you a scratching post. Trimming your cats claws is another way to reduce any damage the claws might cause, but, please humans, do not declaw your kitty! We love our claws!
Your friend,
Obie

*****

Dear Obie,
What is your favorite movie?
Signed, Sir Galahad
Dallas, Oregon


Dear Sir Galahad,
My favorite movie is "That Darn Cat." But I also enjoy "The Three Lives of Thomasina."
Your friend,
Obie

*****

Hi, everyone! Please keep checking the Friends of Felines website for information on our Kitty Carnival coming up in February. The Kitty Carnival is so much fun! There are games and prizes and of course beautiful kitties that can be adopted. Come see us! Who knows, I might even be there...

*****

Remember, folks, I am not a vet! I am a cat! Always talk to your vet before making any medical decisions regarding your cat! Please!