how do you stop cats scratching the wallpaper?

Answer 1

Train it to use a scratching post. If your cat has been scratching the wallpaper for long it may revert to it even after being post trained. Maybe use a a spray bottle with water as soon as it starts to scratch again.

Answer 2

If you don't have one or more scratching posts, that would be your BEST place to start. Show it to them....put their feet on it and rake them. If the cat is compliant, it will start going there completely. If not, you could try squirting the kitty with a spray bottle when you catch it doing it.

Some cats are just noncompliant and must be declawed to stop the scratching behaviour. Do that as a last resort, but I do sympathize with you on the "bad kitty". Good luck.

PS.....There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with declawing the front paws of a cat that is totally indoor. It actually makes a much better, happier cat. He doesn't get fussed at for "scratching" things that he shouldn't. It's NOT cruel and unusual punishment, they recover pretty quickly if you take care of them afterward. It's just like a person with ingrown toenail surgery, except that it is on all ten toes.

Again, if you really need that, it's not a bad thing. Many vets will do it with a laser, and that is much better on the cat than traditional surgery.

Answer 3

You need to get a few scratching post to scatter around your house, so it doesn't scratch your wallpaper. Just remember if you see your cat doing the misdeed then just set your cat down away from the spot, and tell her don't do that, but don't yell at your cat. After telling your cat give it alot of love, so it forgets about the wallpaper.

Answer 4

Provide them with appropriate scratching surfaces to use instead, and make the areas they're scratching unappealing to them. http://www.catscratching.com has great information about how to choose the right kind of scratching posts for your cat, and how to deter inappropriate scratching. Be sure to put the scratching posts near where your cats tend to scratch - don't hide them away in another room, or they won't be as likely to use them. You can tack a piece of cardboard to the wall where they're scratching and cover it with double-sided sticky tape to stop them from scratching that area. They'll soon learn to prefer the post.

Please DO NOT declaw your cats - it's painful, inhumane, and can lead to more serious behavior problems such as aggression, biting, and not using the litterbox. It's also completely unnecessary. http://www.declawing.com has information about the procedure and declawing alternatives. You can stop the cats from damaging your wallpaper while they're learning to use the scratching posts by applying softpaws nail caps over their claws. http://www.softpaws.com If you're uncertain about applying them at home, you can have a vet or groomer apply them for you.

Answer 5

Our 3 cats never scratched wallpaper but insist on clawing the couch. They LOVE human smell and want to mark their own territory on yours (is my suspicion).

Our remedy: strategic scratching posts of either carpet, rope, etc (see Pet Smart). Any time they scratch something off limits, we firmly say "NO" and they stop, we catch them and take them immediately to the scratching post and say "good kitty" as we put their paws on the post, followed by taking them to the area off limits and hold them by their necks (not lifted off the ground!) and say "NO." At first, it took several rounds of back and forth from post to off limits areas, but they get it now.

They do, however claw at times as a behavioral punishment- not because they don't understand (ex: when we leave for the weekend or during the wash cycle of their favorite bedding). So there may be no PERMANENT solution other than declawing (ouch).

Answer 6

Don't know about the baseball bat technique, but some sort of deterrent is definitely the answer. Cause and effect. When they scratch the paper, something bad happens. But, do not, do NOT de-claw them, they become more aggressive and less happy when you de-claw a cat. You won't enjoy their demeanor after that if you decide to de-claw them...

Answer 7

keep a spray bottle close by, when it scratches, squirt it with the water, it will soon associate it as being punished, although its not a cruel mean way

hope tht helps :)

Answer 8

They're probably trying to get attention. Whenever your cat does something you don't want it to spray it with a water bottle. It doesn't hurt it, but they hate it, and it becomes the "don't do that" symbol.

Answer 9

get those scratch poles because your cats will scratch all day long.

Answer 10

you need a scratching post.