Spraying water at him and one brand of anti-cat furniture spray doesn't seem to work. One area rug and a sofa wrecked so far.
2007-05-08 06:35:22 · 20 answers · asked by The Seeker 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Do NOT declaw the cat. It is inhumane and completely unnecessary! Do trim his claws regularly. Pet stores also sell a product call SoftPaws (http://www.softpaws.com/). It's basically a nail covering that goes over each claw and keeps the kitty from damaging furniture. The only downside is that they need to be replaced from time to time because his claws continually grow (it's basically like acrylic nails on women - we need to go every couple of weeks to get our nails re-done).
I don't have a problem with my cats scratching up the furniture because we make sure we have plenty of scratching posts in the house. Get more than one scratching post for the cat. There are sisal rope posts, cardboard w/catnip, or carpeted posts. My cats love the last 2 and stores like Walmart sell both. It sounds like your cat will love the carpeted posts, since he likes to use your rug. Maybe get a tower for him to encourage him to climb/scratch it. I bought one from Walmart for about $35, and although it seemed like it was a cheaply made product, it has lasted 5 months so far with 5 cats using it. They LOVE it. Cats also like to look down on their surroundings, so I can pretty much promise your cat would use it.
I repeat, do NOT declaw him. I would also argue against putting him outside. I lost a cat a couple years ago because she was hit by a car and I do not let my other cats outside.
2007-05-08 07:29:51 · answer #1 · answered by mytib1 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There are several things you can try. First and most obvious is to get a scratching post and train the cat to use it (just demonstrate it - my cat got it right away). The jute type seems to work best.
Second, get your cat's claws trimmed regularly. I do mine myself once a month. I trained him to tolerate it by giving him a treat for each claw clipped. He is very food motivated, so this worked very well and he learned fast and now thinks it's a game. If you don't want to do it yourself, a groomer or vet can do it at very low charge. Trimming his claws reduced the amount of scratching tremendously. Don't declaw your cat - it's very painful surgery where part of the cat's toe is removed.
The two things above solved the problem entirely for me.
If that doesn't work, some have told me that wrapping the base of the furniture with heavy duty plastic wrap (that you can get from moving companies) will prevent clawing while you doing the above retraining. The cat will scratch less from the nail clips and when he does, he'll use the scratching post instead. Once he gets the hang of it, you should have no more problems (or perhaps just the occasional reminder).
2007-05-08 06:48:33 · answer #2 · answered by ? 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I've had this experience, too. Most likely he is stressed, or has a disease. I really don't think it would be serious at all if he is sick. Try to be very calm around your cat as some get spooked easily and start peeing on the floor! You definitely should take him to the vet as soon as possible, though. Don't freak out too much, he will be okay!!! oh and if you don't want him peeing all over the place, keep him in just one area of the house, and if you catch him going on the floor, quickly carry him to the litter box. And I know that some sort of foods could help this if it is a sickness. get well cat!
2016-04-01 02:40:05 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
get yourself a scratching post or go to your local department store and buy some carpet remnants. Get a supply of Catnip. Spread it all over the post or the pieces of carpet and when he scratches the furniture or the rugs you do not want him to scold him, but praise him when he scraches at the things with the catnip on them. He will eventually get the picture of where he can and cannot scratch. I've done this with many cats and it has always worked.
2007-05-08 06:46:22 · answer #4 · answered by Jennifer R 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Get him a scratching post. There is also a small cardboard thing called a Super Scratcher that they sell at wal-mart. It has catnip in it and my cat hasn't clawed the rug or any furniture yet. The best part is the scratchers only cost five bucks!
2007-05-08 06:45:41 · answer #5 · answered by oneworld09 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
He wont stop because he needs to sharpen his claws. Buy a cat tree or a post that he can scratch insted of the carpet
2007-05-08 07:03:58 · answer #6 · answered by Gavin 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I use wide, clear packing tape. My cat used to scratch the corners of my sofa, and I put tape on them. Since the tape is clear, you don't notice really. It stopped mine from scratching it.
2007-05-08 17:12:08 · answer #7 · answered by killianncallisto 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dear Asker,
Please see the links below to read about declawing and alternatives. I know that it's a lot of information, but please opt to be informed for the sake of your kitty. Thanks!
You people who are suggesting declawing should feel ashamed. Have you ever thought about growing up and not getting an animal if you don't want to be inconvenienced?
2007-05-08 07:03:44 · answer #8 · answered by SINDY 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Hello there, alas this is a bit of a hard one? You could get a scratching post and then place his paws on it to simulate scratching, but this does not always work, I have six little terrors and only one used the dratted thing.
I live in the UK and have heard that you can have your cat de-clawed in the US I am not keen on this idea, but it depends on how you wish to preserve your furniture.
Sorry I cannot help anymore but wish you luck
2007-05-08 06:46:08 · answer #9 · answered by yvonne c 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋
If he is an indoor cat get him declawed. If he is outside a lot then just get the front claws declawed. That way he has some protection against another cat trying to fight with him.
And if he is not neutered get that done too.
2007-05-08 06:45:39 · answer #10 · answered by Aliz 6 · 1⤊ 4⤋