So if I get a fancy "cat condo" so she can scratch as well as perch,
how many other small scratching posts should I have throughout the
house?

I'd plan to put her litter box on the upper floor, condo and food on
the main floor, and we also spend time in the basement, which is
finished.


Another claw question (remember, I'm new to cat behavior), when she's
content, she "kneads" her paws/claws. I know she's just being happy,
but it hurts the legs when she's in your lap. Can a cat be made to
understand that her claws cause pain, or do you just get used to it?

My son got an awakening today. He was trying to get her to play with
a little stuffed animal. When she finally did make a grab for it, he
wasn't ready, and ended up with a Band-Aid. I think he respects the
claws now. :-)