Dear Cathy,
I read the recent column about cat scratching furniture. My cats would never use scratching posts. They love and use the cardboard scratching boxes that sit on the floor. You can buy them at most cat supply places. I think it must be the feel of the cardboard and that they can sink their claws in further.
— L. Weichbrodt, via email
Dear L,
I recently visited my son and daughter-in-law and watched as their cats clawed one of their expensive fabric barstools. They decided not to do anything about it since, they said, it kept their cats from clawing anything else in their house. The moral of this story is, every cat owner must determine what works for their cats, understanding that cat-scratching is a normal and healthy behavior necessary for sharpening their claws and marking their territories. The flat scratch boxes you recommend are a popular choice for many felines.
Cathy M. Rosenthal is a longtime animal advocate, children’s author, syndicated pet columnist, and pet expert with more than 30 years in the animal welfare field. Send your pet questions, stories and tips to moc.tidnuptep@yhtac. Please include your name, city, and state. You can follow her @cathymrosenthal