She has a scratching post sitting RIGHT next to the bed, and yet she never uses it. She did when she was younger, so she obviously knows what it's for, but for some reason she refuses to use it, and goes for the bed instead!
I have tried putting double-sided tape on the bed in those areas and she just removes the tape.
I have also attempted spraying the bed with a citrus-smelling spray because I heard cats don't like it.
2007-04-25 20:29:06 · 13 answers · asked by Intuitive Dreamer 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
I have also tried spraying her with water & vineger and she doesn't care at all. She will just glare at me and carry on.
She also doesn't really care about cat nip either...I know it's crazy! lol
2007-04-25 20:54:08 · update #1
Initially, put the post where your cat goes to scratch. This may be by a sofa, a chair or wherever Kitty has chosen as her territory, and you may need more than one post to cover her favorite spots. Security is a major factor in making the post appealing to your cat. If it topples or shakes, she won't use it. It should either be secured to the floor or have a base wide enough and heavy enough to keep it stable.
Encourage Kitty to use her post with clever enticements. Feed her and play with her by the post. Rub dried catnip leaves or powder into it. Make all the associations with the post pleasurable. Reward her with a favorite treat when she uses it. Have her chase a string or a toy around the post or attach toys to it, which will result in her digging her claws into it. Eventually she will learn to love it and regard it as her own. It's also a good idea to put a post where Kitty sleeps. Cats like to scratch when they awaken, especially in the morning and the middle of the night. If space permits, a scratching post in every room of the house is a cat's delight. The most important place is the area of the house in which you and Kitty spend the most time.
If she starts to scratch an inappropriate object, immediately place her in front of her scratching post and begin petting her. Some cats will begin kneading when petted, thus digging their claws into the desired surface and establishing this as a fine place to scratch.
Until the 'training' is finished, you will have to keep her away fromm that bed.
2007-04-25 22:32:15 · answer #1 · answered by Unicornrider 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put her in the bathroom with all her stuff. She's formed a habit that can be hard to break. Make sure the scratching post is a tall one so she can stretch out when she scratches. My cats like the 3' tall ones. You need to be careful about sprays because some of them have a residual odor that isn't pleasant. Your kitten was an adult a month ago. She'll probably not get much bigger but will put on some weight. So shut the bedroom door and the problem is solved.
2007-04-26 04:53:47 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, the spraying doesn't always work, sometimes it just irritates them!
Best thing to do is get the scratch post to be more like to bed - I assume it's the wood she's scratching? Maybe remove whatever's covering the scratch post so it's only wood on there. Whenever kitty goes to scratch the bed, take her away with a firm NO and put her paws on the scratch post. Obviously this means you'll have to shut kitty out of the bedroom when you're not around.
Chalice
2007-04-26 05:09:42 · answer #3 · answered by Chalice 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
put foil all over the bed, the texture and noise it makes will annoy her. citris smelling spray is not the same as actual orange peels, so if you want you can put some orange peels (tape them onto the posts or something).
if that doesnt work, then squirt her with water everytime she scratches the bed. but dont look directly at her when you do or else she might relate the punishment with you and scratch the bed when your not around
2007-04-26 03:34:32 · answer #4 · answered by Me 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As puss is getting bigger maybe the scratching post is now a bit unstable to put your whole feline body into for a good scratch.
Buy one of those large wicker laundry baskets for your bedroom. The cost of a new basket every six months is a cheap price to preserve the rest of your furniture.
2007-04-26 03:40:57 · answer #5 · answered by Edward Carson 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have recently purchased a card-board scratching post with catnip already in it. It was not even one of those fancy ones. I placed it next to the sofa (her favorite scratching area) and gradually moved the location. It helped to redirect her attention to the new scratching unit.
2007-04-26 04:35:14 · answer #6 · answered by usourselvesandourcats 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Spray your cat everytime she does scratch the bed.
Also rub cat nip on the scratching post that should help attract her to the scrathing post more.
2007-04-26 03:53:48 · answer #7 · answered by oli24ty 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to work at a vet clinic, what we would do is put surgical tape on their feet. After you do this for a couple days, they lose the urge to scratch anything. It sounds weird but it doesnt hurt them at all, and most vets will tell you the same thing
2007-04-26 03:38:48 · answer #8 · answered by raudru83 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if it is in the same spot all the time, they have bigger sheets of sticky stuff called 'sticky paws' available at the pet store. maybe you can even put some catnip on the scratching post? tell your cat how good it is whenever it scratches the post. also, don't use your cats name together with the word 'no' when you are mad so that they don't associate their name with bad. use their name when you tell it 'good.' peace! =^./.^=
2007-04-26 03:35:48 · answer #9 · answered by Peace! 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a spray bottle and spray her with it everytime you catch her doing it. We do this to our cat who loves climbing the screen door, and now she has stopped doing it.
Good Luck!
2007-04-26 03:36:19 · answer #10 · answered by Nicole G 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋