What type of wall-to-wall carpeting would you buy if you loved wall-to-wall carpeting and you loved your cat?

Question

My cat scratches along the top edge of the stairs, and tears them to shreds. I am unable to trim her claws - she was a rescue and doesn't like to be handled, and I will not declaw her. I don't like the look of hardwood, and really want to find carpeting material that can withstand her clawing.

Answer 1

I agree with Kris. This is her 'spot'. Try the scratching pad. You can make one pretty cheaply with a just a flat board with some carpet nailed onto it. You may even try nailing the carpet backwards. Several of my cats have loved the back side of carpeting. Rub the new post with catnip to entice her to use it. Double-sided tape may also help stop her from clawing particular areas. They sell wide clear tape strips designed just for this purpose. It stopped one of my cats from clawing my sofa. It's clear, so you don't see it, but obviously have to replace it fairly often. If that proves too expensive, just buy a roll of regular double-sided at the hardware store. You shouldn't need to use it forever.

Here's a link for Sticky Paws if you want to try it:

http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?cm_ven=goo&cm_cat=adwords&cm_pla=unknown&cm_ite=sku&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023690&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302025596&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441778491&bmUID=1168644914148

As far as carpet goes, I think Berber is the WORST idea. It's very inviting because of it's texture. I say go with a plushier carpet. Maybe the kind with indented patterns running through it, if you know what I mean.

Cave

Answer 2

Ha...I have Berber and they still shred the carpet, especially around door frames. Honey, get yourself a water bottle and every time they decide to take a scratch give em' a squirt. (harder to do when your not home I know)...

Unfortunately...I don't feel that getting a cat de-clawed is cruel. As long as the cat is to remain an indoor-cat for the rest of it's life. But truthfully I had a boy cat that was de-clawed and in/out door. He couldn't save himself from the car...that didn't care whether he had claws or not.

Answer 3

I agree mainly with caveman. You want your kitty to take care of his/her nails themselves or they could curl into there skin. That is where cavemans theory comes in get him a flat carpeted piece of wood, you can make or buy it. Put it on "the spot" and if you do not like "the spot" try moving it just a little bit everyday towards a different spot. You can also get ones that go on corners. Make sure you praise him when you see him/her using it. They generally like the attention. Good luck to you and your kitty.

Angelique

Answer 4

Berber would be the best. The only problem is any carpet the cat will still leave marks on. You definately do not want any type of plush though

Answer 5

she seems to prefer that particular spot. try to redirect her with something else, like a flat scratching post deal. cover up the place she is scratching now and put the new scratcher close by. if she wants to scratch she will use the new "toy" instead.
if you don't want to do that every carpet you get will be ruined! the kind will not matter.

Answer 6

We have hardwood floors too, but carpeting in the bedroom and she always scratches at it. (Our cat will not be de-clawd either). I don't think it is good for kitty.

Answer 7

Double sided tape works pretty well, and aluminum foil does too, which I found really strange.

Answer 8

Good for you for not declawing an animal! It is Cruel! I would suggest berber, because it would be harder for her to snag.

Answer 9

berber