Cat scratching sofa. Too old to clip claws?
My two best friends recently started rooming together. Friend 1 has a non-declawed, indoor cat.
Cat keeps scratching friend 2′s couch (among other things).
Friend 1 wanted to use garlic oil and tape on Friend 2′s new couch.
Friend 1 thinks cat is too old (2 years) to start clipping her nails. Friend 1 also ignores the nail cap option.
Friend 2 does not want garlic smell or tape on her leather couch. She also doesn’t want it, or her nice new dining room table to get scratched as Friend 1′s coffee table is.
Cat already has two scratching posts.
Is Friend 1 right, and that 2 years is too late to start trimming cat’s nails? Or is Friend 1 full of bunk?
Are the nail caps in any way inhumane?
Are there any suggestions that could save both the furniture and the friendship?
Thanks!
Filed under: Cat Scratching Post
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It’s never too late to start clipping claws. Even if you started claw-clipping when the cat was a kitten you would still have to clip them every few weeks. It may take a while for the cat to get used to having its claws clipped.
The nail caps are humane and some owners find the different colours fun to use as well.
I’m guessing the scratching in this case is largely to mark territory rather than strop the claws. Is your scratching post upright or flat (like a doormat)? Some cats that don’t use the upright type are happier using the doormat type scratching mats.
a cat is never to old to start trimming its nails. sometimes it can be too young, but never too old
A cat is never too old to clip their nails. I use a set of human clippers since a cats nails are so small. Just make sure you don’t hit the quick (the pink).
The only thing I found that deters my cats from scratching the sofa is double sided tape. Cats hate the feel of it.
There are these great things called nail covers for cats. You basically glue these squishy plastic covers on your cat’s nails and that keeps them from getting their sharp nails on furniture – a great alternative to declawing.
Also, it’s never too late to start clipping a cat’s nails, it will just take a little while longer to teach a cat to enjoy the cuddle time that nail clipping provides than a new kitten. Lots of love and treats will make this a learned fun behavior.
Good luck.
You can start trimming the nails at any age. We started my male when he was 2 years old.
Tell friend 2 that you can buy tape at the pet store ( got mine at petsmart) that is specially designed NOT to damage fabric or leather while simultaneously training the cat to not scratch it. I had a piece on a sofa for 6 months (forgot about it after the cat stopped scratching) and it came off without damaging the fabric or leaving a residue.
Nail caps I have heard to not work as they tend to fall off. I have also heard that they can keep the cat from retracting the claws which causes pain and discomfort.
I tried using a spray to deter scratching that I got at petsmart, and it worked pretty well as long as I was diligent about spraying it everyday. It didn’t smell at all, but you have to spray the whole couch or the cat will just claw where you didn’t spray. I didn’t spray as often and the instructions said, which is why I used the tape instead, which worked wonders.
Also make sure that the scratching posts are right next to the places where the cat scratches most often. Cover them with catnip so the cat is more attracted to the post than the piece of furniture next to it. If they catch the cat scratching the furniture, redirect the cat to the post (which should be right next to it)
you can clip the cats claws, an adult cat can have its claws clipped at any age, but a kitten shouldnt have its claws clipped until it gets a little older
you can buy some of these to put over the sofa so it wont scratch it
http://www.jefferspet.com/ssc/product.asp?CID=0&mscssid=PA8UKW6W0ERW8GLJF3BJLQ0AD9DC7G8B&pf_id=2143
or a good scratching post
Never to old to clip claws. I have 3 cats all of them with claws, Whenever I catch one scratching a forbidden, I squirtem with a water bottle containing a dilute solution of water and household amonia. Works wonderfully.
Cats with their claws can often pull out a nail or break it badly when no one is around and bleed to death before the humans come home.
Friend number 1 might want to look for a new place to live if not willing to get cat declawed. I wouldn’t tolerate my furniture being ruined.
Trimming a cats claws are not going to stop the damage on the furniture. It may just be less scratches, but less isn’t best. None is.
Garlic smell is going to be very hard to get out of the furniture and leather, i wouldn’t advise that at all. A cat is never too young to get it’s nails clipped. Can it be harder to get them used to it if not a kitten, yes. but not hard.
Every day, two or three times a day, start playing wiht the cats feet a little. Not to tickle! That is important. But just handling them. By the end of the week the cat will be used to this. By the end of the second week it will be to bored to even look anymore. This is the time to get the clippers ready.
You can train a cat as easily as you can a dog, just a little different in technique. While the cat sits for the clipping, stop now and then and give them a special treat. Like a tiny bit of tuna. The cat will want to stay for that. Tuna is not to be given at any other time than nail clipping. It now associates nail clipping with the best treat ever. Also wont’ hurt the cats and make the cats coat shinier.
The friend could lock her cat up in her bedroom when she’s not around to watch it to make sure it doesnt’ destroy furniture. That way the only furniture that suffers is her own.
There’s one other option, one i don’t like to suggest. But they do make a shock collar for cats. I would only use it for a week or two at max if nothing else works and no other solutions seem to work either. You can often rent these collars at many pet stores. I know, it’s barbaric. BUT, if no other solutions work, it’s better than getting rid of the cat.
Take a look at this: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=1&cat=1391&articleid=817
I’ve had cats for years and never clipped their nails. I have a sisal rope scratch post, which they use to get off the dead part of the nail. Whenever they start on the furniture, I yell at them and they stop scratching the furniture. You can spray them with water from a spray bottle when you see them tearing up the couch. And cats hate perfume. You can spray some cheap cologne on some towels and put them near the sofa.
Cats are never too old to have their nails clipped! That’s ridiculous! Also, nail caps are in no way inhumane.
As far as garlic oil, I would reject that idea as well. There is a product called Feliway that is very effective in deterring cats from scratching. I would suggest that over any other product, as there is no smell (that a human can detect, anyway).
Soft Paws (nail caps) are not inhumane. They work great and are very safe. When the nail grows too long they will pop right off and you can just shorten the nail and glue them back on. This is a very good idea. And it is never too late to trim your cat’s nails. She may be a little resistant but 2 yrs old is NOT old and she will get used to it. Have your friends help hold her.
Use cat claw trimmers and only take off a tiny bit at the end of the nail. Some people say to do it every other week. I think it‘s safer to cut off less than you are told, and to do it more often, (like once a week). Never use trimmers that are made for humans or dogs, because you are more likely to hurt her that way. You can ask your vet or groomer to show you the proper way to do it. Here’s a website that shows you how:
http://www.catscratching.com/htmls/article.htm
A cat needs to scratch, that’s natural behavior and should not be punished at all! Sometimes though, this behavior can interfere with our lifestyle and we don’t want our best sofa or newly fitted carpet being used as a scratching ground. Cats scratch to keep their claws in good shape. Layers of the claws are shed and underneath sits a new and sharp nail which provides the best protection possible for self-defense. Scratching is also a form of territory marking. Every time a cat scratches, it leaves its personal scent behind. Small glands between the toes make that possible. You can watch how a cat stretches itself while scratching. This helps to keep the muscles in its legs, back and paws in good health. The claws act as a sort of anchor, and are buried into the surface of the scratched item.
Most common types of damage are scratched furniture, ripped carpets and shredded wallpaper. You want to eliminate the problem before it occurs. Buy or build a stable, tall scratching-post, right from the start. Here are some tips to do it right:
• The post should be at least two feet high, covered with sisal-rope.
• Get more than one, especially when you have a multi-cat household.
• Place the post close to the furniture or other areas which are most at risk.
• Introduce a new scratching post with some catnip sprinkled on its surface. Cats love that and it’s more attractive to them.
• If your cat starts scratching the "wrong" object, gently carry your cat to the desired post. Demonstrate how to use it by scratching the post with your own nails. If the cat doesn‘t catch on after trying this for a few days, gently pick up his paws rub them along the post.
• Never force your cat. When it starts scratching the post by itself, make sure you use verbal praise with a rewarding treat and affection. The point is to use positive reinforcement, not punishment.
• When you have a kitten, start early with the "pawing at post" technique
• Invest in what’s called a “cat tree” which acts also as a leisure area for your cat. Different textures and heights make it more interesting, you perhaps want to build it yourself.
• Try some repellent like pepper-dust or some commercial products on your furniture to keep your cat off these areas.
• Be persistent and don’t give up.
Use peppermint oil on the couch. It does not stain or ruin furniture. Cats hate the smell, they won’t go near the couch. Besides the peppermint oil smells good.