All of the best Stray scratch locations

Stray Scratch locations
(Image credit: Annapurna Interactive)

Stray scratch locations allow our kitty hero to do what cats do best – mark their area by slashing up a surface with their razor-like claws. If you want to earn the Territory Trophy or Achievement then you need to scratch up at least one of these places in every level, though that's easier said that 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

(Image: © Annapurna Interactive)

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

Stray Scratch locations

(Image credit: Annapurna Interactive)

After jumping up to the two steps at the start of the chapter, scratch the tree trunk to your left.

Stray Scratch - Dead City

Stray Scratch locations

(Image credit: Annapurna Interactive)

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

Stray Scratch locations

(Image credit: Annapurna Interactive)

Inside the room with the computer terminal, you'll find another rug you can scratch in the main living area.

Stray Scratch - The Slums

Stray Scratch locations

(Image credit: Annapurna Interactive)

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

Stray Scratch locations

(Image credit: Annapurna Interactive)

Right at the start of the chapter, there's a rug in front of you to scratch.

Stray Scratch - The Slums Part 2

Stray Scratch locations

(Image credit: Annapurna Interactive)

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

Stray Scratch locations

(Image credit: Annapurna Interactive)

Inside Doc's lab, there's peeling wallpaper to scratch next to the desk with the Defluxor on it.

Stray Scratch - The Sewers

Stray Scratch locations

(Image credit: Annapurna Interactive)

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

Stray Scratch locations

(Image credit: Annapurna Interactive)

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

Stray Scratch locations

(Image credit: Annapurna Interactive)

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

Stray Scratch locations

(Image credit: Annapurna Interactive)

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

Stray Scratch locations

(Image credit: Annapurna Interactive)

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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Iain Wilson
Guides Editor

Iain originally joined Future in 2012 to write guides for CVG, PSM3, and Xbox World, before moving on to join GamesRadar in 2013 as Guides Editor. His words have also appeared in OPM, OXM, PC Gamer, GamesMaster, and SFX. He is better known to many as ‘Mr Trophy’, due to his slightly unhealthy obsession with amassing intangible PlayStation silverware, and he now has over 500 Platinum pots weighing down the shelves of his virtual award cabinet. He does not care for Xbox Achievements.

With contributions from