Claw-sharpening is a serious matter for cats and kittens. Each has his or her own favourite place, for instance The Cat, who liked to sharpen her claws on the ground, usually on a plank of wood.

There were plenty of places in the garden for claw sharpening including the trees, and, when one of the fruit trees died, we put in its place a sturdy wooden fencepost which became a scratching post for the cats. Any planks of wood, pieces of hardboard or offcuts were piled up for the cats to use and they enjoyed the different textures, each having their own favourite.

Today, please enjoy a few of the cats and their favourite claw-sharpening places.

Firstly Raven, sharpening his claws on the olive tree.

Next, Stardust expressing his preference for the fence-post which the cats used as a scratching post.

Moonstruck, making good use of the wood offcuts.

And finally, Cetti sharpening his claws on a piece of hardboard.