How can I keep my cat from clawing my antique bed?

Question

I've gotten him three scratching posts and laced them with catnip. He only likes one of them, and if I move that one to my bedroom, he ignores it and goes for the bed. Every time I catch him clawing the bed I clap my hands loudly and he runs away. I think he thinks it's a game that's pretty fun, but I really need him to stop. If I lock him out of the bedroom, then he claws on the door! He's driving me bananas.

Answer 1

Cover the offending areas in aluminum foil. That will not harm the bed (as I have a lingering thought double-sided tape may) and your cat is not going to like it. If you don't think a small amount of stickiness will harm the bed, try double-sided tape or Sticky Paws.

Or try clipping his nails and glue-ing SoftPaws on his front claws. He will act like he's scratching, but no harm will be done. (Those need another person so you can attach them and need to be replaced every 6 weeks or so, but they do preserve the furnature).

You need to have a repellent that will not include YOU being around him - even clapping hands requires your presence, if not your touching him... aluminum foil or any of the other variants I am including here will help with or without you around.

And keep the post in the bedroom, in all cases, so he will have an acceptable alternative.

PLEASE don't think of declawing! It's cruel and painful and it's an amputation that's made SOLELY for the purpose of convenience. It's not true that if a cat scratches it will not stop - mine has left the sofa at home thoroughly alone! There are much easier alternatives!

Answer 2

Clipping nails is the easiest and fastest solutiomn for all "clawing problems". Be sure to never clip past the quick of the nail which should be visible since most cats have clear nails. Please get a sharp pair of cat claw clippers because a dull one will just crush or splinter the nail causing discomfort, and most likely ruining trust between you two. Nails should be clipped as soon as scratching is seen. Usually once a week. the more you do it the more your cat will get used to it., This is a part of feline maintenence......and de-clawing should NEVER be considered. It is a partial amputation and is not only inhumane...but generally leads to behaviour and temperment problems down the line.
Clipping is something you MUST learn to do..even if it's scary at first. You'll do fine...good luck. All the other "solutions" posted here..are temporary solutions....and may or may not work for your cat.

Answer 3

Cats that claw things - generally won't stop.
If he doesn't go outside and you don't mind a
cat box - have his front claws removed.
He can then play with you and others and
slap you on the arm or on the cheek and won't
scratch you or children etc. It's not cruel -
especially if he doesn't go outside anyway.
Lots of people do this - it makes a more manageable house cat.

Answer 4

Some cats cannot be broken from scratching stuff! We had to get my male cat declawed, and now he is as good as gold!

Answer 5

Have you heard of Soft Claws? http://www.softclaws.com/
They are vinyl nail caps that glue on to your cat's claws. It covers the claw tips so no damage occurs when your cat scratches.

Sticky Paws for Furniture (petco.com)
Sticky Paws adhesive strips protect your furniture and plants from cat scratches safely and effectively. Non-toxic, easy to apply & remove.

Fresh Kitty Furniture Protectors (petco.com)
Crystal clear guards easily apply to anything you want to protect. Offered in a variety of sizes.


How to Stop Your Cat from Scratching
Your cat scratching at your furniture can not only leave you out of pocket but also very frustrated and annoyed at your cat for being such a bad little kitty. Cats need to scratch, it is something that cats instinctively do, not as you may think, in order to sharpen their claws, but to remove the old layers of their nails.


Do not punish your cat for scratching, or for anything you see as bad cat behavior. Punishment is unlikely to have any beneficial effect whatsoever. Your cat simply will not understand if you try to punish her in any way for something she has done, cats do not relate punishment to the “crime”, they are far more likely to relate the punishment to you!


Even cats that are allowed outdoors will sometimes scratch your furniture, although not as often as indoor only cats. Trees are the natural scratching surface for cats, and to a cat that is kept inside the arms and legs of chairs, and other furniture, sure seems like a suitable alternative!


The most common answer to this cat scratching problem is, of course, a scratching post, or even two. A great variety of posts are available from pet stores and online pet suppliers. They are fairly simple things to construct, but if you do make one yourself, be certain that there are no nails or other sharp things left sticking out to snag your kitty. And make sure that the base is heavy enough, if it falls over your cat will not want to use it again. Cover the post with rope rather than with carpet, the last thing that you want to do is give your cat the message that it is OK for her to scratch carpet!


Ensure that the scratching post is tall enough for your cat, cats like to stretch when they scratch it exercises their muscles. Spread cat nip on one of the platforms to make the post even more attractive to your cat, and attach a few toys to the post so that they hang down temptingly.


If you just put a scratching post down in front of your cat, what is she going to make of it? It may look like a good place to scratch and claw, but then she has been mildly admonished for scratching at things. You may have to teach your cat that it is OK to use the post, that it will not upset you, that scratching the post is what you want her to do.


Every time that you see your kitty about to scratch your furniture, pick her up and gently place her in front of the post. If she decides to use it give her plenty of praise and encouragement. Cover the furniture she scratches with some netting, or aluminum foil. Your cat should soon learn that it is unpleasant to scratch furniture, but great to scratch her post.


If your cat is in the habit of scratching wooden furniture, or doorjambs then strong smelling polish, or vinegar are often good deterrents, if you try the vinegar, check that it won’t harm the surface of the wood. Some cat owners report that half an orange or lemon place by the problem has good results. Do not remove the disagreeable smells or covering from your furniture until your cat has been using her scratching post for about a month.


If your cat is a horizontal scratcher rather than vertical one, in other words she scratches up your carpet or expensive parquet flooring, try persuading her to use a piece of rush matting, tape the matting down to prevent the mat moving.


What ever you do to solve your cat scratching problem, do not even think of declawing, it is barbaric.

Answer 6

put double sticky tape where he likes to scratch. cats don't like the feel of that on their paws

Answer 7

he's nut's ! My cat's only hang on to my comfiterrr. :( i wish i new. im soryy.. just when you see him scratch at the door run at him... (stomp)

Answer 8

Get Soft Paws. They are about $20 from Petco. They last awhile. If you want something more lasting, get him declawed.

Answer 9

shut the door and screw a plastic board onto the bottom of the door so your cat cant do that.

or have it de-clawed.

Answer 10

try a bit a lemon juice on that area...cats hate the scent.