November 4, 2025: We updated this guide as Stray is included in the PlayStation Plus Monthly Games for November 2025.
Stray scratch locations let you make your mark on the world in the most cat-like way possible, by turning your razor-sharp claws to various surfaces and slicing them up. You'll need to scratch at least one of these areas in each level if you want to unlock the Territory Trophy or Achievement, though that's sometimes easier said than done.
As with finding all of the badges in Stray, picking out every scratching point can prove tricky, as some level have many potential areas to sink your claw into while others only have one that can be easily overlooked. Miss it and you'll have to replay the whole level for another chance, which is obviously frustrating. That's why I'm here to help out, with this guide highlighting the best scratching locations in Stray. The list isn't intended to be exhaustive, but it will give you more than enough opportunities to complete this challenge.
How to scratch in Stray
To scratch in Stray, look out for items such as trees, rugs, walls, and doors that have an interact prompt on them. When you see one, hit the button and your cat will assume the position, then mash the trigger buttons to go to town with your claws. Sometimes this interaction will last a couple of seconds before ending automatically, for example if you're scratching on a door and receive a response, whereas in other situations it will continue indefinitely until you back out. Try to rack up a few seconds of clawing at least before manually quitting, to ensure that this action will count towards your progress.
Stray Scratch - Inside The Wall
After jumping up to the two steps at the start of the chapter, scratch the tree trunk to your left.
Stray Scratch - Dead City
Once you've dropped the blue paint pot to smash the window and get inside the building, drop down and scratch either of the rugs in the first room.
Stray Scratch - The Flat
Inside the room with the computer terminal, you'll find another rug you can scratch in the main living area.
Stray Scratch - The Slums
After talking with the Guardian and calming the robots, enter the garage with the meditating robots and scratch the rug. There are plenty of other opportunities to scratch in this chapter, including on the door to get inside Elliot Programming as part of the quest to find the Stray safe code, and in Momo's apartment before you deliver all of the Stray Notebooks to progress the storyline.
Stray Scratch - Rooftops
Right at the start of the chapter, there's a rug in front of you to scratch.
Stray Scratch - The Slums Part 2
As soon as you arrive back in Momo's apartment, there's a rug you can scratch straight ahead, plus you have all of the same opportunities in The Slums as on your previous visit, including scratching the door of Elliot Programming so you can get inside and deliver the Stray Poncho. This is your last chance to pick up Stray energy drink cans and find all of the Stray sheet music locations for Morusque, so don't miss out on these collectibles before you move on.
Stray Scratch - Dead End
Inside Doc's lab, there's peeling wallpaper to scratch next to the desk with the Defluxor on it.
Stray Scratch - The Sewers
After hacking the two panels to open the large door, go straight ahead up the stairs then look for a piece of cardboard on the floor to the left.
Stray Scratch - Antvillage
Near the tree branches on the lowest level, there's a sofa you can scratch next to one of the Stray Memories. You'll find a number of other boards and rugs as you investigate the treehouse further.
Stray Scratch - Midtown
When you pass Peacemaker 22106 and go up the stairs into Midtown, the alleyway immediately on the left with a green sign has a door you can scratch at the end. There's also a sofa in the open residence directly opposite the alley. Half of the Stray Badge locations are found during this chapter, so don't overlook those opportunities when they arise, and you can still do this after stealing the Stray Atomic Battery.
Stray Scratch - Jail
When you find the truck in the yard to access the door release near the end of the chapter, scratch the side of it.
Stray Scratch - Control Room
When working with B-12 to open the control room door, you need to scratch the inside of the control panel once it's opened by interacting with the entry pad.
Congratulations, you've found (and dragged your claws over) all of the Stray Scratch locations to earn the Territory Trophy or Achievement. If you want to scratch in style, then we've also got a round up of the best Stray mods on PC to give your adventure a fresh (possibly cursed) look.
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