How do I get my cat to stop clawing at the door frames?

Question

He has a cat scratching thing but he wont stop clawing at the door frames. This is a big problem because we live in a rental. I spray him with water when I catch him doing it, but that does not stop him. I also tried this stop scratching spay that leaves a biter taste in thier mouth when they lick there paws after scratching. What can I do? Besides getting him declawed.

Oh I also have a toddler in the house, so something he cant ruin or harm him.

He is an indoor cat, he scratches at all the door frames not the one to go outside, Duh.

Answer 1

let it outside - if it scratches at the door, he's probably trying to let you know he needs out, duh

Answer 2

Cat Scratching Door Frame

Answer 3

Did you try bittler apple or "no scratch"? No scratch helped me a little or "no stay" because they don't like the smell, along with the water spray and buying a whole load of scratching posts for him. Put a little catnip spray on the scratching posts. They don't like aluminum foil, but I'm not sure how you can wrap the door frame with that, Be creative I guess. Take the cat from the door frame and show him how to scratch the posts and praise him. I had a problem with a stupid cat (sorry, he really isn't very smart, he doesn't "get it") and he finally stopped clawing the GOOD COUCH and uses the scratching poles I provide right next to the couch. So put the pole next to the door frame if you can. Unfortunately, if your cat is as stupid as mine (I doubt that's possible) it may take a while with a lot of patience.

Answer 4

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RE:
How do I get my cat to stop clawing at the door frames?
He has a cat scratching thing but he wont stop clawing at the door frames. This is a big problem because we live in a rental. I spray him with water when I catch him doing it, but that does not stop him. I also tried this stop scratching spay that leaves a biter taste in thier mouth when they lick...

Answer 5

get a scratching post or a cat condo thats the best thing i can tell you and keep punishing the kitten for clawing door frames up your kttten will eventually learn to stop and will probly take better to a cat condo than a post declawing a cat is a lil cruel they cut there lil knucles off.

Answer 6

You should never get your cat declawed!!! They have this thing called soft paws and it slides over the nail and stays in place with glue. It last for about 1 month and then you just re do it. Its just like fake nails but for cats. It prevents them from clawing things up. I love it. And my cats love it too.


And yes it does hurt the cats you probably havent done your research have you ever seen what they do to the poor cats?? Just because your sister does something doesnt make it right. It hurts the cat and can lead to potential problems in the future.

Answer 7

The water spray thing doesn't always work.

I would suggest trying to get the scratch post thing to mimick the door frame as much as possible. Maybe remove the covering material string stuff from the scratch post so it is just wood since she likes that so much. You could also try putting cat nip on the post to make it more attractive to her. Place the scratch post next to the door frame, and try to catch her about to scratch as often as possible. When you catch her, use a sharp NO to make her jump and then place her paws on the scratch post. Hopefully she will learn that if she wants to scratch in peace she just has to use the post.

Chalice

Answer 8

Two sided tape is a good idea. Cats dont like getting their claws stuck in what they're scratching. You can even try sticking up strips of the soft fuzzy side of velcro. The loops will catch his nails. (Dont use the prickly plastic side, he might actually like it)

He might even just like the area over by the door, so try putting his scratching post next to the door while using the velcro or tape, or a similar type of material on the door frame. Then every few days, move the scratching post a couple inches further away from the door to lead him away from the door frame, until its in a spot you desire.

Lastly, he might not like his scratching post. Try a different type of material. One of my cats like scratching on the painted cinder-block wall in our laundrey room, and another likes scratching on a designated "scratching chair" upholstered with corduroy. Make sure the material you choose doesnt resemble another type of material in your house that you don't want your cat to scratch on. Cats dont differentiate between objects. They think "If mommy lets me scratch on this material over here, then I can scratch up the couch covered in the same material."

Good luck!

Edit: after posting the answer above, then reading the other answers, I gotta tell you... don't listen to a few of them. To make a scratching post mimick the door frame and to take the fabric/carpet off the scratching post to make it resemble the door frame's material will only make the cat think that its ok to scratch on that type of material. It will only encourage your cat TO scratch the door frame. He might start scratching on the post, but it WILL NOT stop him from scratching the door frames.

Also dont place your cats paws on the scratching post. This will DISCOURAGE your cat to scratch on it. Cats arent mind readers and they do not learn in the same ways that dogs and humans do. Dangle a toy in front of the scratching post to encourage him to use it.

Please believe me. I've been there. Done that. And you will be able to confirm everything I've said here by doing a little research on websites concerning cat behavior.

Answer 9

You can buy nail covers at the local pet store, some groomers can put them on if you can't. The are plastic covers that slip over the cats nails and are glued on with the same type of glue that is used to put on fake nails. This will definitely help with the scratching with out declawing. Best of luck!!!

Answer 10

I was also going to mention the wide double stick tape, and its not even a matter of keeping it there, it will discourage him, then you can take it down.. you may have to put it up again, but at least you will know it works. The nail covers also work, and they are inexpensive.
Rub some cat nip on his scratching post, he will want to go to it more.... It has been noted that spraying them, can sometimes cause them to become mean, and please dont consider declawing, its a cruel, the (removal of the first knuckle)
Give him lots of love and affection.. and enjoy him, cats are awesome...

Answer 11

The aluminum foil works very well. It's also a useful tool to keep them off beds and couches. Get him a one of the cardboard scratchers that's like a box, my cat loves them, and they also sometimes include a little bit of catnip, so the cat will always go to it. (Unless he's one of the ones that's immune to catnip). Also, if you find you dont get any results with the spray bottle, add a little bit of vinegar to the water, they hate the smell.