How do i train my 1yr cat to stop pulling up my carpet?

Question

I have a new burberry carpet and she is addicted to pulling up the loops in the carpet. She loves string! I have given her 2 sistic posts, as well several toys to play with to deter her. I have used a spray bottle when she is in the act but she's has already done the damage (usually done when i'm sleeping near sunrise). I've sprayed the carpet with Pet Organics"No Scratch" from Petco, but the cat still insists on the pulling up the carpet. I've also yelled "NO" when she is lowering her head to start the act of pulling up the carpet, but doesn't work either. Does anyone have any suggestions to help me out?

Answer 1

Yes, I had the same problem, so I can certainly relate to your dilemma. Here are a few possible solutions to your problem. I read about them, and they worked for me.

First, I would like to just ask, if nothing works, please, please, do not declaw her. It is the equivalent to us having the tips of our fingers cut off down to the first joint. Many, many cats suffer permanent pain from nerve damage. It makes many cats unable to use their litter boxes because scratching the gravel hurts too much, or if they still use it, they are suffering. Also, many cats start to bite. This is because they no longer have their main form of defense; this can make them bite out of fear. And if, heaven forbid, she should get out & get lost, she will have no way to defend herself or to catch food.

Anyway, that said, here are several suggestions:

I don't know if you have any of the carpet pieces left, but if you do, or if you can get a small piece, this is what you do.
Take a scratching post and nail a piece of the carpet around it. Put the post somewhere and bring the cat to it. Take her paws & gently pull them down the post, giving her the idea. It worked for one of my cats.

If you do not have any carpet pieces left, try this. I know you said you bought her 2 sisal posts. They also sell scratching posts made with carpet around it. That's for cats who obviously love to scratch carpets. Buy her 1 or 2 of those. Train her the same way.

Every time you see her start to go for your carpet, yell "NO" and pick her up, bring her to the post & train again. It takes a lot of dedication to train some of them away from carpets.

For one of my cats, I had to buy a very small area rug just for her. I didn't put it on the carpet she liked, because that would have been too confusing. I put it outside the room with the carpet; so, when she started on my carpet, I picked her up & put her on her own little rug. It worked.

With my current 2 "angels," I have come to enjoy the beautiful wood floors that were under my carpets :)

Best of luck to you.

Answer 2

Other than declawing her front paws, I can only think of having her nails cut as short as possible. It would have to be done fairly often.

As to your Berber carpet. I know you didn't ask.

The torn loops should be repaired.
If they are broken, take the two ends and tie them into a knot, then trim off the frayed ends. If the entire loop is pulled out, try dripping a bit of glue, "Elmer's will do", on the backing under the loop. Push the loop into the glue. If needed, allow to dry thoroughly, and if unsightly, cut the loop and tie as above. Elmer's will dry clear.

If she has pulled an entire row, like a runner, it too can be repaired. You would need a remnant from which a row/s can be cut. These can be reset into the damaged area. That takes an experienced installer. I don't think it's a DIY without experience.
With no remnant, a closet piece can be used. You may need to find a close match remnant at a store to replace the closet.
To do this, if needed, measure the closet, carry a small piece for match. Have it on hand so that an installer can make the repair and install the closet in one trip. Cheaper labor.

Good luck in any event.

Answer 3

You've pretty much tried everything I was going to mention. I figured the spray bottle trick would work but apparently it hasn't for you.

It's extreme, and I'm personally against it, but you may want to have her declawed. Aside from that you'll have to just tough it out for a while and keep at her with the tactics you've been using. Cats are notoriously stubborn and tend to do what they want to do so it'll be a battle of wills between the two of you for a while. Eventually she should figure it out though if you keep spraying her or yelling at her.

I'm not really sure what advice to offer other than what you've already tried or having her declawed.

Good luck!

Answer 4

You cat is not trying to misbehave, she is making a nest. It's an instinct of cats to make a nest and in nature they scratch up dirt, leaves, ect.. to make it with. It's their way of making a soft place to sleep or to have their babys. There is not much you can do to deter this behavour, but you can consider having her front claws declawed. I wouldn't recomend it if she goes outside any at all, but if she is strictly an inside cat then it would be the best way to go. The cost and recovery time is minimal and it will save you hundreds in replacing carpet and furniture! Some people think it is inhumane, but I have had the procedure done to several cats over the years and there were no changes in attitude or quality of life. Just don't have it done if you cat goes out and may need her claws to defend herself. Good luck to you and your kitty!

Answer 5

Replace that 'Burberry' carpet with some 'less expensive shag' ... since your cat has 'already learned' to 'pull' to get a 'neat piece of string' she can play with, she's NEVER going to stop doing that ... and I presume you LOVE your cat and are not willing to GIVE HER UP ... so just 'get rid of the Burberry (sell it on e-bay, so you'll get at least some of your investment back) and buy 'regular' shag carpet ... or get rid of the cat and keep the carpet 'looking nice.' I'd keep the cat ... only I can't have one, so I have a pet hedgehog instead.

Answer 6

Try putting orange peel down where she scratches (they hate it) hopefully she will back off and start using the scratching posts. It may take a while especially if she goes to another bit of the carpet, just keep moving the peel around and she should get the idea soon.

Answer 7

go out and buy a little peace of carpet likethe little squares and have her atr that instead but what i would suggest would be to put some ware in a spray bottel and when she attempts to pull the capret up litely spray her just enough so she feels it you dont have to soak her and shell learn. itll take about a week for her to break the habbit in the mean time buy her some string or yarn to play wiht

Answer 8

well, since it looks like you have tried the positive alternatices technique you should try a bit of punishment

have a spray bottly with water in it close by and whenever your cat snags the carpet, spray her a bit and say "no" loudly then pick her up and put her near a scratching post and pet her

Answer 9

Do you have a remainder piece of the carpet. If you do, give it to the cat and let her go to town. Also, you can go with the declawing. Or you can confine the cat away from the carpet, or give her a ball of yard. If she is not neutered, her behavior will be much harder to modify. Cats and rodentine pets tend to work on their environments to make lairs. It's the downside of owning cats. It's why I love cats--in someone else's house. Good luck. B.

Answer 10

Well i don't know if it's the whole carpet or she has her favourite bit but i know it sounds cruel but put some pepper down she'll hate it,hopefully it's just her favourite bit she like's doing,i really would'nt do the whole carpet your be sneezing,or do as one of your other replys have said get a spray bottle.