How do I get my cat to stop scratching?
I’m going to be moving in with my mother soon and I have a ten year old cat. She is very concerned with his scratching problem. I do not think declawing is the answer because of his age, and I will not have him euthanized. He will not use a scratching post, and I have tried several things in the past. I have tried that double sided tape that you put on the furniture on the area where he likes so scratch, and it works, but then he just finds a different area to scratch. I have tried that bitter apple spray and that didn’t work at all. I have considered those plastic caps that go over the claws, but I hear that they are rarely effective, and I fear that he will choke on them. Does anyone else have any suggestions that I may not have tried?
Filed under: Cat Furniture
Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!
We tried everything. The BEST alternative is a corregated cardboard scratching box with catnip – it really works! Found it at the pet store – it’s cheap and the cats love to scratch it up! They were very distracted by this and ignored our furniture. We replace it every couple months. Good Luck!
Spray bottle. Squirt him with water, everytime he touches the furniture with clawing intentions.
I HAVE I CAT TO AND HE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. WHAT I DID WAS BUY PLASTIC COVERS FOR THE FURNITURE SO HE WONT MESS IT UP, AND SINCE HE KEPT ON DOING IT I ACCONDITIONATED A LITTLE SPACE (ROOM) FOR HIM WHERE HE HAD TO STAY THERE MOST OF THE DAY AWAY FROM VALUABLE STUFF,
I got cardboard cat scratching boxes that you put a bit of cat nip on and the cat will sharpen it’s claws on it. it is natural for a cat to scratch though. They are removing layers from their nails and keeping them shorter so you don’t have to cut them.
If the cat is scratching in places you don’t like you can place double sided tape on the surfaces, they hate things on their paws. There is also a feline pheromone spray called Feliway which calms them down and you can spray it anywhere including in cat carriers or cars before travel.
More than anything you must provided a place for the cat to scratch, it is your responsibility!
spray straight vinegar on the furnre. & spray cat w/it also if u catch him scratching!!
You must provide objects for scratching that are appealing, attractive, and convenient from your cat’s point of view.
Try making objects that are acceptable more appealing by catnip if he’s suseptable to its "spell"
try attaching a dangling toy crinkle mouse to the scratch toy…
Now, considering your cat’s demonstrated preferences, substitute similar objects for her to scratch (rope-wrapped posts, corrugated cardboard, or even a log).
Place the acceptable object(s) near the inappropriate object(s) that she’s already using. Make sure the objects are stable and won’t fall over or move around when she uses them.
once they are use to scratching appropriate items try a spray (bitter apple doesn’t work as you said. didn’t work for me either.)
here are a spray that has worked for me and others
Only Natural Pet Herbal Scratch Deterrent
best of luck
Go back to the scratching post idea. Get a high enough one so he can stretch, one with sisal rope. Then rub catnip into the sisal. I also use the sisal scratching boards that they design to hang from a doorknob, but put it flat on the floor, especially a carpeted floor so it doesn’t scoot when he sratches on it, and of course rub catnip on that too. BTW, if he is scratching so much he might have some anger issues – try playing with him more. And of course, getting his nails clipped every three weeks by a groomer helps. It’s healthy for cats to scratch, shedding their outer claws.
maybe, file the cat’s nails down, and dull them out a bit.