Cat owners who didn't declaw. How did you keep your kitten from scratching up the furniture and yourself?

Answer 1

I treated my cat like a dog, If she started to get to rough playing with us and used her claws or teeth, I would tell her NO! in a very firm voice. that worked for us. but then half the time she thought she was a dog, even tried to attack the cable guy when she noticed the dog were aggresive to him.

Answer 2

From personal experience... kittens will scratch you when playing. Just firmly say no, then quit playing. I really think they just grow out of it.

For the furniture... Invest in a good scratching post. Keep it in a place where you spend a lot of time- like the living room. They won't go out of their way to scratch. When the cat scratches on the furniture, say no, then take the cat to the scratching post. Show the cat how to use it, then praise the cat. Positive reinforcement is the only way to go with cats. Even a little treat a for a job well done works wonders. Cats are pretty smart. They will learn fast. Just keep watching until the kitten gets the hang of it.

Spraying with a water gun isn't very effective because you haven't taught them the correct behavior. Always remember to reinforce the correct behavior, not punish the bad one. You will have much better results in a much shorter time.

Also, trim the nails. Have your vet show you how. If you trim too much, you can cause great pain and lots of bleeding. Your vet will be happy to teach you.

Answer 3

My late kitty got into the habit of scratching furniture and chairs that had the woven fabrics on them like the fabric sofas, but I bought him a scratching post and whenever I notice he's about to stretch up and scratch i take him and put him next to the scratching post. Also, if you notice that your cat loves to scratch in a particular area, put the scratching post there and then each day move it a little bit away and do it slowly. He will hopefully move to scratch the scratching post where you put it.

And cut his nails. My cat is a gentle baby and he never scratched me. I cut his nails while he is sleeping. Granted I never get them all done in one shot. I start with the paw that is easiest and slowly throughout the day I would finish the rest.

It takes patience but happy little paws and less stress is better than no fingers and a month or so of stress. And stress may impact your cat's health and future health.

:)

Answer 4

It takes dedication and vigilance, but it can be done. Start out by clipping the claws--all of them. Get into a routine of doing it on a regular basis so kitty's claws never get too long and sharp. When you trim the claws, treat kitty gently and lovingly. Offer a reward when the work is done, whether they behaved well for you or not. (Some of my kitties like catnip, others prefer to be brushed.)

Get yourself plenty of alternatives for kitty to scratch. Vertical carpeted scratching posts are a favorite, but most kitties also enjoy the compressed cardboard ones on the floor. Anything wrapped with sisal is a claw magnet, too. Which reminds me to mention that the whole reason kitties try to sharpen their claws on furniture is that they like the texture of upholstery fabric. They won't scratch smooth surfaces; it isn't satisfying.

When cuddling or playing with kitty try to avoid getting her riled up enough to want to scratch you. If she does scratch you, don't get angry with her; she's only being natural. Instead, say "OW!" and put her down. Be firm but loving with her. Repeat as necessary. When you see her beginning to scratch the furniture, gently take her paws into your hands, softly tell her "no" and put them on the alternative surface while praising her. She'll get the drift in no time at all.

Spray bottles only work from a distance, and then only after you've done all the above and are still having problems. Be forwarned: kitties catch on very quickly so the spray bottle may not work more than once. The next time she sees it she may dash away thinking she's won a game.

Answer 5

Training a cat is like being a good parent... use only positive reinforcement. Children and dogs can be punished, but cats cannot. If you use negative punishments, your cat will simply become angry. Cats hold a grudge.

Very simply, your cat will always scratch. When they claw your furniture, they aren't trying to be destructive, and they aren't sharpening their claws. Cats dig their claws into things as a way of stretching. This is very similar to you grabbing something as you stretch before work out.

The best way to get them to stop scratching your furniture is to give them something better to scratch. If they are scratching a particular piece of furniture, it's probably because they like the texture. Find something with a similar texture, it could be carpet or rope. Place it near that piece of furniture, then gradually move it over a few days. Your cat will migrate to the new item if they liked it better. There are lots of good scratching posts, and they are worth every penny, but you may have to try more than one. You can make your own using carpet or wrapping or rope around a vertical piece of wood. The key is to make it vertical, so your cat can stretch.

Cats like attention, if they are scratching you it's either that they are playing, or they are kneading.

If they are playing, simply stop playing with them when they use their claws. They were quickly learned that scratching is a way to end the games.

If they are kneading you, it's a sign of enjoyment. Simply moving their feet and continuing to give them affection should help. Once they realize they don't have to give you a "kitty massage" to give affection, they were probably stop. If they don't simply place a pause on a blanket, pillow, or towel. When they are kneading their claws only extend a fraction of an inch.

Remember, your cat is probably trying to train you, just as much is your training your cat. I have four cats, and they are constantly training and retraining me.

Answer 6

I have 2 cats, they every now and again scratch at our furniture. But, mainly it is one side of a certain door casing. They never scratch me, because I play around with them. They normally will chew and scratch my hands but in a playful manor. Try a wood scratching post. Seems my cats like wood to scratch more than furniture or one with carpet wrapped around it. Cat stands are always nice at the pet store. They start at $19.99 and go up from there, depending on the size and style.

Answer 7

Yourself: Mission Impossible! Haha

Your furniture: A scratching post in the room where the unfortunate furniture lives will actually do the trick! It's surprising, but my cat actually went straight to the post and never looked back when we got one.. My partner and I quite often watch him, then look at each other and say "How does he know??" haha

Good luck!

Answer 8

I keep my cats' claws clipped - that helps to minimize damage. I do not play bare-handed with my cats - because they do not realize they might play too rough with my delicate (compared to cat fur) skin - I use toys and sometimes gloves to play with them. When they get their claws in me on accident, I try to stay calm, push in towards their bodies, gently, until they release me rather than pulling away (that is what a prey animal would do, and excites the hunting instinct even more).

For scratching on furniture, I say a firm No! (not yelling, just firm) then demonstrate scratching on the nearest scratching post. Praise them when they scratch the right things. Sprinkle cat nip on, to encourage more scratching on appropriated places. I provide them with things to scratch on with different textures - burlap, carpet, sissal, wicker baskets, plain wood, of different sizes, and in several different locations - to satisfy that urge. Having one near the main door, is an excellent idea, because scratching also serves as scent marking, and the door is a big high-traffic place where scent marking is most desirable for the cat. Also, if you see them scratching on something a lot that you do not want them to scratch, try putting another scratching post near that.

Good luck.

Answer 9

Get a scratching post.Every time the cat tries to claw your furniture pick it up and holding its legs move them up and down the scratching post.It works I have 4 cats and went through the same thing.There is also a spray you can buy that they don't like and spray it on anything that you don't want scratched up.

Answer 10

I have a large carpeted cat tree and a stump of wood (yes in the house but don't worry there are no bugs) with the stump though you do have to watch that they don't eat the pieces they scratch off and check for splinters- but they do love it so it is a treat. Keep their nails clipped and give them a shot with a spray bottle if they are being too naughty.