how do i stop my cat scratching wooden doors ?

Answer 1

Find a scratching surface he DOES like, and place it as close to the inappropriate areas as possible. They even make ones you can hang from the doorknob.

Look for those with sisal (prickly rope) or cardboard, and rub some catnip on it to intice the cat.

Keeping the cat's nails trimmed will help alleviate the damage to the door, but won't eliminate the behavior.

putting double-sided tape on the door can help sometimes, too.

if he still goes for it, a squirt bottle can be very effective. Use only for when he has other scratching surfaces. The idea is to make the unwanted behavior not fun for him anymore. So when he goes for the door, as soon as he puts his paws on it, get him with a sharp stream of water. Most cats will flee the scene immediately, but if he doesn't, or doesn't go too far, take him to the good scratching place, and make it a pleasant experience. If he likes being combed, comb him. If he has a favorite toy, play with him with it here. Again, catnip can be a big help.

PLEASE do NOT have him declawed, it is a very cruel procedure, involving literally cutting off the last bone in each toe. Declawing should be reserved as a LAST resort.

Answer 2

Try these:

1. If it's an outdoor cat let it outside more often! Cats often do this for attention whether to go outside, for food, or simply to be picked up.
2. Scratching Post - give it something else to deface besides your wooden doors (this only distracts them briefly)
3. Water bottle - Spray it with a fine mist. That will make it stop without hurting it and only agitating it slightly.
4. De-claw - a little invasive.
5. Adoption - Let it be someone else issue.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

1. Provide scratching posts and place them in locations where your cat likes to linger - by a sunny window, for instance.

2. Experiment with different types of posts to find the best ones for your cat.

3. Keep in mind that different cats like different surface textures (cardboard, wood or rugs) and post orientations (horizontal or vertical).

4. Encourage kittens to use posts, and reward them with food and praise.

5. Consider giving your cat extra attention when he stirs from a nap, and then placing him near the scratching post, since many cats scratch when waking up.

6. Avoid punishing your cat if she scratches an inappropriate area - punishment teaches the cat to not scratch in your presence, but it won't deter a cat from scratching when you're not around.

7. Avoid letting your cat scratch an old couch, even if you plan to get rid of it soon - this will only encourage your cat to scratch the new couch.

8. Consult your veterinarian about alternative treatment options before you give up. Destructive behavior is a leading reason why people surrender their cats to animal shelters.

Tips:
Aversive-tasting substances will not help, since scratching does not involve the taste buds.

Answer 4

try tape. Make a loop of tape (like painters tape so it doesn't hurt the wood, and stick it to the spot where the cat scratches. Cats don't like sticky.

See if you can make a scratching post out of an old scrap of wood nailed to a base. Put it by the sticky door and your cat will learn what he/she is allowed to scratch.

Everycat is different, some like carpet covered scratch posts, some rope or cardboard. Your's just happens to think he can whittle.

Answer 5

get a scratching post... then use a plant spray thing (it's a bottle with an atomiser to fine mist spray plants with, you can get one at any garden centre)spray the cat with water every time you find them clawing at the door. Since cats hate water they will learn very very quickly not to claw at the wooden doors, but if their claws need sharpening to use the scratching post!

Answer 6

Get a couple of rolls of wide double-sided sticky tape, and stick it to the doors where the cats scratches, then pull off the top paper. Cats hate anything sticky on their paws- it worked for me, and for my mum, too. Dont ever try to cut cats claws; they are your pets only defence against dogs, predators and perverts.

Answer 7

Couple of options:
1. Get double sided tape and put it on the door.
2. Get a scratching post and rub it with catnip
3. Get a water gun and pay attention to her.

Answer 8

Cats need to scratch to sharpen/trim/maintain their claws. If he is an outdoor cat declawing him may be a bad idea, therefore buy him a scratchingpost at any local pet store. If he is an indoor cat and the scratcher hasnt worked, you may have to have him declawed.

Answer 9

you could make a wooden cat post and put it by all of your doors if that dont work,take it to the vet to see whats wrong with your pet

Answer 10

Get him his own wooden door, protect your wooden doors, get a straching post, spray you rcat with water when it does bad things :D