2007-02-04 07:56:20 · 24 answers · asked by nic_barbiegirl 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
The only way we've figured out to deal with this is to let him in!!! Consequently he spends bath time with his tail in the water trying to chase my toes!
I shall keep an eye on your answers- though I wouldn't really want to shut him out anyway!!
2007-02-04 08:00:02 · answer #1 · answered by emily_jane2379 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
you could try by propping doors slightly open or having door that they can open. you could remove the carpet from the doorways and use tiles or lino just for the doorway from one room to the next, she is not being nasty, she is just curious. let her into all rooms of the house, provide an littertray in the necessary rooms (preferably a concealed or box littertray - they like their privacy), get her a scratching post - perhaps a 2 or 3 stories one as these seem to be preferred. also get her some little toys maybe catnip ones or squeaky ones, or a little ball, then it rules out any chance of carpet ripping through boredom. *ours used to do it quite a lot*, but if all of this doesn't solve it then get out the spray bottle, at first try spraying the air when she does it as most cats link the spray of a bottle, with flea spray and they don't like this connection. if she is still adamant to dig holes then spray her and if she continues regardless then try spraying near her face - if its only water then this will be okay - then spray her until she lets go of the carpet. or she will lock you out of rooms - ours did many a time
good luck
2007-02-05 01:23:02 · answer #2 · answered by minstral06 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My two 10 month old kittens recently started doing this but around the door frames of open doors. I squeezed a lemon on to the carpet fairly liberally and they haven't done it since. Might be worth a try for you?
I would say though that if they are doing it at closed doors, it's going to be because they want to get to the other side! Can't you just leave the doors open?
2007-02-05 09:19:17 · answer #3 · answered by Sparkysair 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The reason the cat is doing this is the same reason dogs tunnle under fences so a scratching post will not help you.
We bought those big plastic mats for under rolling office chairs and cut it to fit the size of the door frame with a tab that actually went under the door a bit (but it doesn't stick out beyond it on the other side, just into the doorframe) so that he can scratch but can't pull it up.
2007-02-04 16:26:45 · answer #4 · answered by Julie Bear 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Welcome to the normal world of a cat. One thing they hate is feeling shut in, especially if a inside/outside cat. They have to feel free to explore their whole environment. Shut doors are a no-no in their minds. I have 3 now and have had more being in rescue.
However, a few things to consider. What areas are being closed off to her/why? Is this a new cat in home or just new behaviour for the cat? Did not say how old, set in her ways? What have you tried to deter this destruction?
It is not necessary for all rooms to be open at all times. I am assuming you are not shutting her up in a bathroom or something like that and she is going stir crazy. Was she possiby use to being outside a lot and now you are keeping in? Very hard and i consider a bit cruel to take a outside cat and limit to only indoors. It makes them crazy. Like being in jail i think. Some rescues disagree with outside activity for cats. I do not if they are fully vetted/healthy/cat collar. But my cats have always stayed close to house/yard.
If she does this to get to where you are that is very normal. Leave door open. Now I don't mean you have to allow and ignore the behaviour to carpet. No. She needs to be caught in the act and scolded in a firm tone. Then use a cat toy or play to distract her from bad activity. I don't have a problem with a light misting of water when caught destroying, a quick spray of just water at her paws. I am not sure of safety of products to spray carpet used to deter dogs. Would want a vet opinion on those!!
Look at her overall behaviour, which doors she really wants open, lifestyle (yours and hers). Decide what you can't tolerate and start retraining her. Patience. Persistance. Cats are stubborn. Maybe a play area which can be a brown bag or box to hide in and scratch up. Maybe a scratching post in front of closed door, have kind that hangs from doorknob! Try to think on her level and how cats are and make things to occupy her.
2007-02-04 16:24:19 · answer #5 · answered by pets4lifelady 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Get some heavy duty aluminium foil and tape it down to the areas.
Cats don't like how it feels on thier feet and avoid it.
You do have to provide an alternative scratching post. Keep her penned up when you can't watch her. A large dog cage (like they use for shows) will work well, or put her in the bathroom.
Put 10-12 pennies in a soda can and tape it shut. When she start up, shake it sharply, the noise will scare her off. A squirt gun works well too.
There are also "stay away" sprays, but I've never had luck with them.
Good luck
2007-02-04 16:03:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I had this problem. The solution is.... leave the doors open. Or fit internal cat flaps in them.
Alternatively, pull the carpet up and put laminated or lino flooring down. The buggers CAN'T scratch that up, no matter how hard they try!
xxx
2007-02-06 14:09:24 · answer #7 · answered by catwoman6942 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A cat post is design for cats to climb, scathing.
You can ever buy one or make one if your good with wood and carpet.
Try putting her in a room with the cat post friendly playing with her so she get use to the cat post. leave her toys on top so get more familiar with it.
To stop pulling carpet try removing her or other scent from the area.
2007-02-04 16:08:08 · answer #8 · answered by jobees 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Give her a scratching post with rope. One of our cats loves to straddle it and its stopped his carpet pulling. He loves to flex his claws and sorta gets rid of the little "skins" on the claws. He's probably doing it more of a manicure thing than to be malicious.
Only other advice is if you seem him doing it, squirt him with a water bottle and make a loud unpleasant noise or clap your hands. It has to be a VERY unenjoyable experience for him to get the message that something unpleasant happens when he does this.
2007-02-04 16:07:44 · answer #9 · answered by K's Mom 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My cat has locked me out of a room many times doing that.I couldnt open the door as the carpet was up the other side,it took me an hour and 20 minutes to get in..grrrrrr....sorry i know i didnt answer the question as such,my cat just stopped doing it for some reason.good luck....
2007-02-04 16:00:23 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I use to have a ferret that did that. The best way is to probably keep the doors open. If that is not an option a no chew spray may possibly work. She won't like that on her paws.
2007-02-04 16:02:20 · answer #11 · answered by mike2005 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋