Help! My cats are using my new den chair as a scratching post. I have used the stuff from the pet store, as well as the firm NO! OFF!(when they are near the chair.) and they have a cone shaped scratching post that I bought and 1(w/ catnip) that was free w/purchase of food. Our den has no doors to close it off so they won' t go in. What should I do?
2007-01-06 14:29:31 · 14 answers · asked by Drewswifey 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Contrary to what another poster said: Please do not under any circumstances declaw your cats! This procedure actually removes the first joint of their toes (look at the tip of your finger where it bends--that is what gets removed from thier feet), it does not just remove the nail. Declawing also is known to cause significant behavioural problems (I know I would have problems if someone cut the tips off of all my toes) including refusing to use the litter box, agressiveness and other issues.
You might need to get a nice big scratching post for them. Cats like to stretch when they claw, so get the biggest one you can find--at least 3 feet tall and preferably taller than that. You can occasionally find the 6ft cat condo posts at Costco for $99 so you may want to see if that deal is available to you.
Other posters have mentioned double sided tape, bitter apple and squirt bottles and all are good solutions. I don't have any experience with the soft paws myself, I just clip my cat's claws every few weeks and it is not a problem for me.
As for the spraying--only neutering will fix this! It will also settle them down and keep them from wandering and prevent them from producing unwanted litters. Please do this as soon as possible! Even "indoor cats" get out sometimes--just ask my friend with an indoor only cat that just gave birth to a litter of kittens from her one and only foray outside!
Good luck to you! Don't give up... These issues are easily curbed if you take action now.
2007-01-06 14:59:13 · answer #1 · answered by Trust no 1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put double-sided sticky tape on the chair where they scratch. Cats don't like the feel of it so hopefully they'll stop. Encourage them to use the scratching post. Make the den off-limits by installing a fence or gate across the doorway that the cats can't climb through or jump over. Male cats spray to mark territory, the best way to stop it is to have them neutered.
2007-01-06 14:34:48 · answer #2 · answered by Blue Jean 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Spray bottle. When they go near it or show signs that they are about to scratch, SPRAY. They will soon learn that it's a no-no to scratch the furniture.
You need to get them both neutered. It should only cost around $120 at a Vet but your local humane society would charge around $60-$70. This should stop the spraying. If not, consult your Vet.
2007-01-06 18:03:23 · answer #3 · answered by Elena 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Last year my beautiful Manx cat Theodore went out for the evening and never came back. I love cats and the house didn't feel the same without one, so I picked up Lola from a rescue centre. She was very frightened and would pee all over the house. I found Cat Spraying No More� on the internet and the techniques worked almost immediately. I haven't had a problem with Lola since. Amazing!
Can't stop your cat peeing in the house? Then worry no more...
2016-05-14 20:48:27 · answer #4 · answered by Karen 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't declaw, but I do clip my cats nails to keep them from being sharp. That way, when she does her little stretch and tries to scratch, she doesn't get a firm hold on anything and rip it. It works as well as declawing but without the abuse!
As for the spraying, the only thing that will fix that is neutering. And if you let them spray for too long before you get them neutered, it can become a habit and they may do it after the procedure.
And I buy the corrugated cardboard in the pet shops that just lay on the floor. All 4 of our cats love that stuff! Just push some catnip down into the grooves.
2007-01-06 14:50:30 · answer #5 · answered by Melissa Me 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
first off, you need to get them neutered. Theyve already began spraying so neutering may not help if they have developed it as a habit, but its worth a shot. Also, if you are not interested in declawing there are plastic dull nails sold at petco and petsmart that are glued onto your cats real nails to keep them from scratching things. They are safe and if you buy them the vet will apply them for you so you dont have to bother with it. Also, a nice scratching post may help as well!
2007-01-06 14:34:14 · answer #6 · answered by doodlebugmeem 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can scold them when they do that (scratching) and punish them. If you feed them wet food, don't feed it to them for awhile, until they stop doing scratching. Buy some "Bitter Apple" spray for animals. It'll help keep them from scratching. Spraying: There's only one solution. Neuter. Good luck and Happy tails.
2007-01-06 14:35:38 · answer #7 · answered by ananon 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Whenever they do that spray them with water in a squirt bottle then say in a firm voice. NO! They won't like it. And they might hiss but it teaches them that that is bad. And after you feed them they will like you again. It might not be easy but you have to do it.
2007-01-06 14:36:25 · answer #8 · answered by Tleek 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you know your going to keep them indors the only way is declawing and getting them fixed and fast cat urine is the hardest smell to get rid of. we put new caroet down and can still smell where our cat sprayed ive was told by stanley steamers that the smell will stay untill the wood under the carpet was replaced. because the cat urine leaked threw the carpet and into the wood, so if you dont want a smelly house get them fixed soon
2007-01-06 14:39:39 · answer #9 · answered by cute redhead 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
disipline. get a spray bottle. spray them every time they go near the chair. they will eventually get it. as for spraying, the only thing that will fix that is getting them fixed.
2007-01-06 14:33:04 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋