I made a great, easy, & inexpensive scratching mat for my cat, Rocky, & he loves it!

I got a natural fiber door mat ($5) and secured it with heavy-duty staples to a board. Plywood or any kind of firm board and nails with big heads would work good, too.

The first thing Rocky did when he saw it was sniff it thoroughly and then he proceeded to sharpen his claws on it. He uses it regularly now.

You can try just the door mat without securing it but cats like something immovable better so they can get a good grip on it.

Declawing cats should be outlawed!

A short, sad story:
A friend had her kitten declawed because he was always going to be a house cat and for 17 years he was a house cat. About one week ago he darted out the door unnoticed and he hasn't been seen since. The poor kitty is (was?) practically defenseless against the coyotes that are prevalent in San Diego County. Not to mention all the other dangers out there.

Candy