How can I stop my cat from clawing the carpet and furniture?

Question

I have three places for him to scratch, two cat poles and one kitty condo. Although I've taken him there and pawed his paws on them he doesn't get the idea. Even tried Catnip, which is not interesting to him. He's six years old, and has used cat poles in the past, but since moving here he won't use them.

Any advice?

Getting him "Declawed" is not an option. I wouldn't EVER do that.

Answer 1

He's trying to claim his new surroundings. Its going to be hard to break, but put his scratching toys on the carpet spots he scratches at. The furniture is harder - Squirt gun with water with a little lemon juice (watch out for the eyes).

Too late to declaw to the prevous poster. If you dont do that within the first 12 - 16 weeks of age its like cutting a fingernail off because the bone has formed.

Answer 2

I applaud you for being adamant about not getting your kitty declawed. Its an easy way out to some people and very cruel to your pet. Try keeping your cats claws clipped. This is very easy to do. Also, I am a big fan of the spray bottle! Fill a spray bottle with water and every time you see your cat doing this, spray him. This is unpleasant to the cat but doesn't hurt him. Over time he will learn to associate the unpleasantness of the water to the scratching and he will stop. Good luck.

Answer 3

well if you have a empty spay bottle every time the cat is bad spray it
then also go over to the pole when the cat is watching you and you scratch it and when the cat is good praise it and give the cat treats it like
but dont use the spray straight away because the cat needs to get used to the new surroundings and the cat may just be confused

hope this helps you

Answer 4

Try putting double-sided carpet tape everywhere the cat is not supposed to be. One strategically-placed strip in each location will do. You don't need to cover the spots with the tape. It really works! It will inconvenience you for a short time, but kitty will get the message pretty quickly and stop going there. It has really worked for me.

Answer 5

I used the water bottle and saying no in a firm voice and clapping my hands. But until they learn visit the Softpaws website. It's a great alternative to declawing.

Answer 6

There are spays that smell and taste bad for cats that you can spray on your furniture to help get him to stop. It worked for my 6yr old cat. Also there is a product called soft paws, they are rubber or pastic covers that you put on cats claws to prevent them from scratching.

Answer 7

He's probably been upset by the move. Keep doing what you're doing, show him good and make a fuss of him when he does it right. He will get back into good habits, but cats being the independant souls they are, he may just do it on HIS timescale! lol;
Good luck;

Answer 8

what we did was every time we saw our cats clawing the carpet after we moved was that we would say "NO" in a very firm and slightly loud voice. and if they didn't listen we had a water squirt bottle in every room that had carpet in it. put the bottle on "stream" and every time your kitty doesn't listen to your voice squirt him on his butt. hope that helps!!

Answer 9

get a thick carpet , sew it to the places where he scrashes . put catnip on it and find hairs of ur cat and rub it on.

Answer 10

as soon as i get a kitten i have them declawed. my vet says they never know the difference. i just have the front claws removed in case they get out, they can still defend themselves against other aggressive cats and dogs.