How do we break indoor cat from clawing behavior without de-clawing?

Answer 1

First thing: make sure your cat has something it can scratch. Cats need to do that.

Next, you need to work with your cat to train it not to scratch where you don't want it to. Keep a spray bottle handy; it doesn't hurt them, but most cats hate it. But only spray them if you catch it in the act. Cats aren't like kids; you can't explain to them that they've been bad and that's why they're being punished. Be sure to be consistent.

Keep your cat's nails trimmed. It will do less damage when it does scratch.

You could also spray the areas where you don't want the cat to scratch with orange or lemon oil; cats don't like the smell of citrus.

There are also covers for your cats claws that you can buy; check out softpaws.com. They're little plastic caps that keep your cat's scratching from doing anything. They come in colors, too, so it can look like your cat has painted nails!

And most of all, remember that your cat isn't doing it to spite you. Cats scratch. It comes with the pet.

Good luck!

Answer 2

First be consistent. Land on him as soon as he begins. Grab him by the scruff of the neck and yell LOUDLY, "NO!!!" Then immedaitely calm down and carry your cat to the scratching post. Set his feet on the post and talk softly and sweetly. Pet him gently. Everything calm and good happens at the scratching post. The world will end if you scratch the furniture.

You sould trim his nails. This will help reduce the damage, but you have to keep up with it, and he can still do some harm.

You will of course need to have a scratching post near all his favorite scratching sites, sofa and chair arms, the corner of the bed, anywhere he likes. I've had good results from the corrugated cardboard scratchers. I think they are sold under the name Cosmic Kitty and they include catnip. If you use an upright scratcher, the cat will prefer that it be about three feet tall. Don't scrimp on height.

If all else fails, you can buy a thing called Soft Claws. which is an artificial nail for your cat's claws. You glue them on and the balls attached to the end of the claw make it so he can't ruin your furniture.

Neutering your male will help slightly, but not entirely. Cats have to scratch. Your job as the owner is to teach them where to do it.

Answer 3

Please do not listen to SAMI.

You should NEVER smack a cat Or spray water between its eyes. THAT IS VERY CRUEL.

Spaying wiv water is OK but dont do it in the face.


If you are considering declawing your cat, please read this. It will only take a moment, and it will give you valuable information to help you in your decision.

First, you should know that declawing is pretty much an American thing, it's something people do for their own convenience without realizing what actually happens to their beloved cat. In England declawing is termed "inhumane" and "unnecessary mutilation." I agree. In many European countries it is illegal. I applaud their attitude.

Before you make the decision to declaw your cat, there are some important facts you should know. Declawing is not like a manicure. It is serious surgery. Your cat's claw is not a toenail. It is actually closely adhered to the bone. So closely adhered that to remove the claw, the last bone of your the cat's claw has to be removed. Declawing is actually an amputation of the last joint of your cat's "toes". When you envision that, it becomes clear why declawing is not a humane act. It is a painful surgery, with a painful recovery period. And remember that during the time of recuperation from the surgery your cat would still have to use its feet to walk, jump, and scratch in its litter box regardless of the pain it is experiencing. Wheelchairs and bedpans are not an option for a cat.

No cat lover would doubt that cats--whose senses are much keener than ours--suffer pain. They may, however, hide it better. Not only are they proud, they instinctively know that they are at risk when in a weakened position, and by nature will attempt to hide it. But make no mistake. This is not a surgery to be taken lightly.

Your cat's body is perfectly designed to give it the grace, agility and beauty that is unique to felines. Its claws are an important part of this design. Amputating the important part of their anatomy that contains the claws drastically alters the conformation of their feet. The cat is also deprived of its primary means of defense, leaving it prey to predators if it ever escapes to the outdoors.

I have also had people tell me that their cat's personality changed after being declawed. Although, the medical community does not recognize this as potential side effect.

Okay, so now you realize that declawing is too drastic a solution, but you're still concerned about keeping your household furnishings intact. Is there an acceptable solution? Happily, the answer is yes. A big, joyful, humane YES! Actually there are several. The following website "Cat Scratching Solutions" provides many solutions as well as and insight into the psychology of why cats scratch. You can teach your cat to use a scratching post (sisal posts are by far the best). You can trim the front claws. You can also employ aversion methods. One of the best solutions I've found is Soft Paws®.

Soft Paws are lightweight vinyl nail caps that you glue on the cat's front claws. They're great for households with small children and are extremely useful for people who are away from home all day and can't exercise the watchfulness necessary to train a cat to use a scratching post. Soft Paws® are easy to apply and last about four to six weeks. They come in clear or colors--which are really fun. Now that's a kitty manicure! The colored caps look spiffy on Tabby or Tom and have the added advantage of being more visible when one finally comes off. Then you simply replace it. You can find Soft Paws on the web

You need to remember, though, that the caps and nail trimming should only be used on indoor cats who will not be vunerable to the dangers of the outdoors.

Soft Claws & Soft Paws were developed by a Veterinarian and is acclaimed by many leading Vets and Pet Behaviourists including Vickey Hall. It is a best seller world wide selling 50 million caps in the U.S and Japan since 1989!!!

Eliminate Destructive Scratching!

Shields home furnishings from sharp claws
Safe, non toxic and easy to apply
Helps protect infants and the elderly with sensitive skin
Prevents Pets with skin conditions from injurying themselves
with hind claws
Great for outdoor cats living indoors temporarily
safe and effective for cats of all ages
One application lasts up to 6 weeks
A humane and painless alternative to declawing (Banned in Europe)
Doesnt affect nail extention or retraction

declawing IS VERY WRONG AND CRUEL. Please DO NOT do this!!!!.

Answer 4

I had a big problem with my cat clawing all the furniture. there are sprays and things out there to deterr your cat from clawing, but all i did was put some clear, paking tape on the places she liked to claw, because she didn't like the feel, and put some kind of scratching post near where she scratched the most. she would not be able to scratch the furniture, and would go for the scratching post. praise your cat when it uses the post and not the furniture. there are also plastic caps you can put on your cat's claws.

Answer 5

Hi,

please don't declaw your cat. It is very inhumane. They would cut each of his toes off at the first knuckle. It is a very painful operation and the cat never fully recovers from it (emotionally).

I've been reading other answers and I agree with several of them. Use water in a spray bottle, and get a scratching post. Use catnip on the scratching post to attract your cat to it. Whenever you see your cat scratching where it shouldn't redirect his/her attention to the scratching post. If you see the cat using it's post, give it a treat.

Also you can keep the cats toenails trimmed. Just make sure you don't cut the nails into the pink area or you will have some bleeding on your hands. It will make it less pleasant for the next time you want to trim the cats nails. A product called Soft Paws can be purchased also. They are nail shaped covers that can be super glued onto each toe. As the cats toenails shed, you will have to replace the Soft Paw but they don't all shed off at one time.

You might also try spraying a product called Boundary on the things your cat likes to scratch. It smells bad and will make the cat walk away from the area.

Not only is your cat sharpening his toenails, but he is leaving his scent marking on the furniture. Cats have scent glands in the pads on their feet. Your cat just wants other cats to know this is his territory.

Answer 6

The scratching post is great, you can also get those "cat trees" that are scratching posts with different levels and usually at least one of the posts on those are also wrapped with sisal rope that cats love to claw. You will probably have to use the water spray technique with the furniture for a while. The cardboard thingy is called a Super Scratcher and I got mine in 2 sizes at Target, I've also seen them at WalMart and Safeway. My cats love to scratch a rubber doormat that I used to have by the front door, but is now in their "room". They also hate the sound of an aerosol spray and I sometimes use that or drag out the vacuum when they won't listen, they scatter and hide when they even see the vacuum, they hate it so much.

Answer 7

Everytime it claws spray it with water, or make a loud noise to scare the cat. Also, pet store carry a spray that smells terrible to cats and will deter them from clawing at the furniture. Training them not to do so will take some time, but have a bit of patience with it. I have had cats all my life and not one has been declawed and none of them have scartched up the furniture.

Whenver you think about declawing the poor creature, just think to yourself "How would it feel if MY finger nails were ripped off?" because that is what declawing a cat is.

Answer 8

I just got a kitten and he was clawing at the carpet in my room. I did research on de-clawing and decided I definitely didn't want to do that. An alternative I came across was something called Soft Claws. They are little nail caps you can glue on the cats claws front and/or back. He might still claw at things but it will do no harm with the caps on. He will shed them on his own every few weeks. I got mine at Petsmart for $10 for 40 nail caps (baby blue... but they come in all sorts of colors so its easy to tell when they fall off so u can replace them) and 2 tubes of adhesive glue. You might want to try that out. I also have a little mat outside of his litter box that he uses to scratch on and it keeps the litter off my floor. Just show it wherever you have a scratching post/at.. push its claws on it lightly so it knows to scratch there. Thats what I did and my kitten runs there whenever he wants to scratch. Good luck!!

Answer 9

KUDOS for looking for a solution.

http://declaw.lisaviolet.com/declawdrjean1.html

A Comprehensive Guide
Training Your Cat or Kitten to Scratch Appropriately

http://declaw.lisaviolet.com/declawguide.html

To get results, you must do three things:
1. Provide an irresistible scratching surface.
2. Praise your cat when he/she uses the appropriate surface and scold when claws are used anywhere else.
3. Trim your cat’s claws.

Answer 10

a lot of human beings gained't recognize it yet eliminating your cat's claws is equivalent to reducing off your newborn's fingers on the knuckles. it isn't medically needed. it truly is a style of animal abuse it really is executed for human convenience somewhat than the welfare of the animal. in fact, many countries in Europe have actually outlawed this technique, and there are vets in the USA who refuse to finish this surgical procedure for those causes. some cats that were declawed also conflict through from different behavioral subject matters (compensating for this loss). lately there are such an rather good type of significant possibilities to declawing which includes mushy Claws, a nail cap that suits like a glove over the cat's claws, suffering with them from scratching something. different possibilities comprise frequently trimming (or reducing) your cat's claws, preparation them to apply the right sized scratching posts, double-sided tape, and larger. I applaud your efforts to verify more effective about this difficulty. inspite of you verify, please make constructive you're totally cautioned. when you're useless set on having a cat that's declawed, you may want to continually bypass on your community animal take care of and discover one which has already been declawed by technique of a few different person.