How to Play the Cat Scratch Game

Download Article

Face your fears in this popular slumber party horror game

Co-authored by Brittney Crabb and Luke Smith, MFA

Last Updated: September 25, 2025 Fact Checked

Download Article

Playing the Game

|

Reading the Stories

|

Video

|

Q&A

|

Tips

ARTICLE

VIDEO

Some say that if you tell certain stories while another player lies on their back in their dark, you’ll be visited by an entity not entirely of this world. Nobody can say for sure what that entity is, only that it sometimes leaves long, red marks like a cat’s claws down the backs of any who dare to listen to the stories. Think you’re up for a good scare? We’ll show you how to play the Cat Scratch game and tell you the stories, but don’t say we didn’t warn you.

Things You Should Know

Lie on your back on the floor of a dark room with your head in the lap of another player, who will be the storyteller.
Relax and close your eyes as the storyteller softly rubs your temples and reads one of the Cat Scratch stories out loud.
Sit up when the story is over and check your back for the telltale red marks. If you’re brave enough, swap roles and tell the second story.

Section 1 of 2:

Playing the Game

Download Article

1
The listener lies on their back with their head in another player’s lap. You need at least 2 people to play the Cat Scratch game: one to tell the story, and the other to listen and get scratched.^{[1]
X
Expert Source

Brittney Crabb
Paranormal and Horror Content Creator

Expert Interview} The listener lies flat on their back on the floor, with their head in the storyteller’s lap (with a pillow, if it’s more comfortable).^{[2]
X
Research source} Feel free to set the spooky mood with things like candles or small lanterns.
- Shut the blinds and make your room as dark as possible if you’re playing during the day.
- Bystanders are welcome, but they can’t make a peep. Extra players sit cross-legged in a circle around the 2 main players.
2
The storyteller recites one of the Cat Scratch stories. The listener closes their eyes while the storyteller rubs their temples with both hands in gentle, circular motions. If you're the listener, breathe deeply, relax, and feel your body sinking into the floor. Then, when they feel that it’s the right moment, the storyteller recites the first of the 2 stories below, speaking slowly and clearly.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- While the story is told, nobody in the room may move, speak, or open their eyes, except for the storyteller.
- The storyteller may print the stories or read from their phone, but the game works best if they recite them from memory.
Advertisement
3
Check the listener’s back for scratches when the story is over. Once the storyteller is finished telling the story, the listener sits up and lifts their shirt in the back. Now’s the moment of truth, so try not to freak out. If you’ve been visited, the listener will have long red marks on their back, even if they don’t feel anything.^{[4]
X
Expert Source

Brittney Crabb
Paranormal and Horror Content Creator

Expert Interview} The marks may be faint or slow to appear, but you won’t miss them. If they do appear, keep an eye out for any strange cats—you may have a new pet.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- If the scratches don’t appear, repeat the game and swap roles of listener and storyteller. This time, recite the second story.

Section 2 of 2:

Reading the Stories

Download Article

There once was an old lady who owned a cat. The cat was very nice. It meowed and purred. One day, the cat got hit by a car and died. Cat scratch, cat scratch, cat scratch. The old lady got a new cat. The cat was very mean. It hissed and clawed. Cat scratch, cat scratch, cat scratch. One day, the cat got hit by a car and died. The old lady decided not to get any more cats. Cat scratch, cat scratch, cat scratch.^{[6]
X
Research source}
You are walking through a dark alley late at night. You are the only one there. The ground is slick with rain. The alley is filled with garbage cans and litter. But then you hear something. A movement in the garbage cans. You pick up your pace. You want to get out of the alley fast. But then you see something. Red eyes. Glowing red cat eyes. They are the eyes of an enormous cat. You run, but the cat chases you and jumps on you. It scratches you: one, two, three. Cat scratch, cat scratch, cat scratch.^{[7]
X
Research source}

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

Can I tell the story on a different language or only in English?

Community Answer

Sure, you can do it in different languages, if your friend understands the language, it should not matter one bit.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 187 Helpful 379
Question

Can we play this game in a different country but in English?

ArianaGrande lookalike

Community Answer

Yes, you can play it anywhere and in any language, so location doesn't matter.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 83 Helpful 195
Question

How long does it take to see the scratches?

WikiIbisWatcher780

Community Answer

They should appear quickly, but they might be faint. When you lift up the shirt, they will be more obvious.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 105 Helpful 267

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

Like most urban legends and slumber party games, there’s probably a scientific explanation for the red marks, like imprints from the floorboards or a wrinkled shirt. Of course, there may be stranger explanations, too…

Thanks
Helpful 272 Not Helpful 228