My cat likes to scratch funiture!?

Question

My cat's maybe about a month (give or take a few days cause I don't remember exactly!) and he likes to scratch funiture. what should I do?

Answer 1

Sticky Paws works *every* time. It's specially developed for this problem.

Do make sure you provide him an appropriate place to scratch - it's a normal, healthy exercise for cats.

You can quite literally teach your kitten to use a scratching post by putting some catnip on it (or catnip spray). Then gently "hang" his claws on the post. Or use a feather and "tease" him up the scratching post. If he scratches, praise him and pet him. He will soon learn to associate the post with pleasure, and stay away from the Sticky Paws and your furniture! PLEASE do not declaw - it is cruel and inhumane. Further, it is totally unneccessary.

Answer 2

Most cats do not like the smell of Citrus so you can try to disuade him with a Orange scented spray. Another option is a fairly new product available from most Pet Supply Stores which are little blue caps that are glued onto the cats front claws. This is a 2 person job but is VERY effective.
I am neither for nor against declawing cats but be aware that they actually do remove a part of the knuckle in some Vet Offices when doing the procedure.
Good Luck!

Answer 3

Getting decalwed is the worst thing a conscientious owner consciously does to a pet. With about 50% chance of problematic surgery, and above 20% chance of additional complications later, and significant probability that the cat's character will undergo radical change (for the worse), it's really not advisable.

With only a bit of patience and attention and care, the cat will leave the furniture alone, especially since he's only a kitten still.

The solution is - buy a scratching post, teach him to use it, and then temporarily cover the offending spots of furniture with aluminium foil or double-sided tape.

Some more info: http://www.catsinternational.org/articles/scratching_and_declawing/build_a_scratchingpost.html

(there is info on training at the bottom)

and
http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/scratching.html

Also, trimming your cat's claws, and things like SoftPaws (not-sharp claw caps that you glue for your cat's claws) are options, although maybe SoftPaws will be a real solution when your kitten grows up a bit - as I haven't used them, I don't know what sizes they come in.

For those who think declawing is harmless, open http://maxshouse.com/facts_about_declawing.htm and take a GOOD look at the pictures of cats that got problems. From declawing. And there is the sentence “Fifty percent of the cats had one or more complications immediately after surgery.... 19.8% developed complications after release.”

On behavioural changes:
The incidence of behavior problems following onychectomy in cats; two months to five years (median 11.5 months) after surgery:

* "(33%) developed at least one behavior problem.
* "(17.9%) had an increase in biting habits or intensity."
* "(15.4%) would not use the litter box"


I would not create the potential for that to ANY cat of mine, and each person makes their own choices. No matter how destructive the cat.

And, btw, declawed cats will still make scratching motions not because it's pleasurable, but to scent-mark the area. Which is a very strong internal drive, for cats.

Answer 4

No. Do not declaw before you read up some.

Delcawing is amputation of the cat's fingertips. The same fingertips that the cat walks on and uses for balance. Yuck.

The link above about declawing is good and very informative. There is plenty more information. You can also be guided by the fact that many vets will refuse to perform the surgery. And it's vets who have to deal with the complications and see the cats hurt.

Answer 5

This kitten is just a baby! Have you ever seen an unsupervised two year old with a crayon??? They are quite the interior decorators for your walls - NOT!

Cats must scratch, it's part of their nature. Paws come with claws. You need to provide you kitten with an acceptable place to stratch (scratching post, cat tree, cardboard floor scratcher) or it will continue to use your furniture, your carpet, your curtains, whatever. But keep in mind that this cat is just a baby and he will be naughty at times. You need to be consistent. Discourage him from clawing the furniture and reward him for using his toys and stratching posts. He will learn. You have a unique opportunity with a kitten to raise a happy, well-behaved cat that does not destroy your things. You have to be patient and understand your cats needs to scratch. Good luck.

Answer 6

Give the cat something else to claw, such as a scrap of carpet, a scratching post or a cardboard scratcher. One of my cats LOVES cardboard scratchers. The other used to claw furniture but now claws a scratching post that we made from coarse rope and a piece of wood.

Keeping a spray bottle handy and spritzing the cat with water may help you train it.

Answer 7

He's still just a little kitten. All kittens scratch things.

I had one kitten who didn't just scratch, she destroyed. Furniture, toilet paper, carpeting, the mail laying on the table, silk flowers, curtains. I had her declawed. I know it's painful, blah blah blah, but she was on a mission.

My other two kitties don't scratch much now that they are older. I would try the preventatives mentioned in other posts and only declaw as a last resort.

Answer 8

Trim your cats claws, and get your cat a scratching post, with catnip on it! Plus, use a water squirt bottle, to let your cat know, that it is a, " no-no", to scratch anything other than a scratching post. Get these at Wal-Mart (cheap), or make one, out of old or left-over rugs pieces. Or spend lots of your money, and get a fancy one, at a pet store. Best of all "clam" down, you are not alone.

Answer 9

Buy some scratching posts, some toys as well to play with. When the cat is 5 and a half months old, get him neutered and front declawed only at the same time, he will bounce back in no time.

Answer 10

Have your cat declawed.

You will hear a lot about how declawing is cruel and changes your cat's personality. THESE STATEMENTS ARE NOT TRUE.

My declawed cats still climb trees; they still try to claw the furniture (if declawing really caused long-term pain, they would definitely not keep trying to claw the furniture); and one of my boys routinely whoops the neighbor's cat who has not been declawed. All my boys are very loving and all want to share the bed at night.

They love me and they know that I love them. Had I not had them declawed, I would be angry and bitter because I could not have any nice furniture or drapes or bed linens. This way my textiles are safe and I can concentrate on petting and playing with my cats rather than worrying about what thing they will destroy next.