Another Cat Claws vs Car Paint Issue
Replicated here, is an excerpt of an email that I have sent in response to a complainant.
"I have checked with a vet and our conclusion that cats are not able to make such deep scratches with their claws - which are actually the same hardness as human fingernails.
We have tried to scratch the paint off my own car but no mark could be made at all.
Here are 2 links on YouTube that shows that cat claws are unable to scratch car paint.
#1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omumunklRfA >>> showing a cat walking and then jumping off a silver car, leaving no marks
#2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqini0B7hIQ >>> showing a cat trying very hard to scratch a car windscreen but the claws just kept sliding off, but also left no marks. It also shows how a cat scratches (with straight and short strokes, in one direction usually).
This link http://www.flippyscatpage.com/carpaint.html >>> is also consistent with our views that, car paint has been baked and etc, so should be able to withstand gravel hitting the car during road driving (which happens at higher speed and G-forces at work).
The marks on your car paint are irregular and originate from different directions, 1 scratch at a time (a cat is unable to extend just 1 claw, unlike humans who can extend our individual fingers). The scratches are also too deep for the regular street cat which weighs under 5kg.
We sincerely concluded that the deep scratches on your car has been caused by a sharp metal object, like car keys or the like.
Lastly, parking our cars at a public HDB carpark means that it is down to "Park at your own risk", I am also exasperated for people opening their car doors and banging into my car, leaving dents.
Nevertheless, I would still like to offer you a car cover which may prevent future issues like this. If you are willing to accept the car cover, I am willing to meet you up.
Thank you for your great patience and understanding for this matter."
What else can I say? Of course, it is still POSSIBLE that cats might scratch your car, but it is highly unlikely, given the paint quality of cars nowadays. Now, that is a tricky issue.
