Cat scratching carpets?

Question

My cat keeps scratching the carpet next to our backdoor.Its not the carpet anywhere else,or the furniture.Just that carpet.I have a scratcher thing for her to use,but she doesnt use it.
How can I get her to start using the scratcher,and stop scratching the carpet?

Answer 1

I have two kittens and had this problem at first.
I would try this...every time she starts to scratch at the carpet, pick her up and "re-direct" her to the scratching post. Literally take her to it and if you have to, put her front paws on the post.
Another thing, what kind of scratching post is it?
If it's the kind made out carpet material, maybe try the kind that are made out the rough brown straw material. My kitties like that kind better.
Oh, and one more thing, make sure you keep her little claws nice and trimmed. She may start to scratch because they are getting too long and they are uncomfortable.
I really hope this helps.

Answer 2

It shouldn't be too hard. All you need to do is to set up a behavioral modelling program. First of all, you have to punish your cat whenever it scratches the carpet (make loud noise, throw water or a unharmful object at her), but this punishment should not be too tough (so you it will not develop depression or anxiety) and it should be immediate. Secondly, you have to reinforce the cat's desired behaviour. Try to draw your cat's attention to the "scratcher". Try to feed her only near it. Then after a few days, try to "show" the cat how to use it, by handling her claws on the scratcher. And then, anytime the cat makes that move (touching the scratcher) give it a reward, like it's favourite food. In time it should work out fine. All living creatures are designed to learn from the enviroment, so the cat will learn from you, especially since it's you who has all the food, and that's what it's all about. It work did, with my cat (it used to scratch the furniture legs). I hope it answered to something. (my cat also learned to run beside me, when i go jogging - but just around the house)

Answer 3

Buy more scratchers and different kinds of scratchers. You could get a cat tree (like this one, for example- http://www.petco.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=776076&cm_ven=shopping&cm_cat=33&cm_pla=776076&cm_ite=776076). Kitty may like it so much that she forgets all about scratching your carpet. And, as someone else said, reinforce positive behavior: Place kitty's toys on or around the scratcher. Put her treats on the scratcher. Pet her, congradulate her, and give her treats and other rewards after she uses the scratcher.

Keep her claws trimmed regularly. If you don't know how (or are uncomfortable with doing so) have a vet or groomer do it for you. You could also try soft paws-- http://www.softpaws.com

Oh, and you could try putting a little catnip on the scratcher.

And please, if someone suggests declawing, DON'T. Here's some info. on declawing:
http://www.petstation.com/declaw.html
http://www.geocities.com/catcl/declaw.html
http://www.straypetadvocacy.org/html/declaw_law.html
http://domania.us/catique/declaw.html
http://www.declawhallofshame.com/wst_page5.html
http://www.pawproject.com/html/faqs.asp
http://www.declaw.org/
http://www.laperm.com/Helpful_Information/DoNotDeclaw.htm
http://www.ciara.de/declawing.html
http://amby.com/cat_site/
http://www.woodcox.net/declawing.html
http://www.catscratching.com/
http://community-2.webtv.net/zuzu22/stopdeclawtemporary/
http://www.vpl.com/product_home.php
http://www.paw-rescue.org/declaw_paper.html
http://www.de-clawing.com/
http://www.catclinicofnorman.com/site/view/65666_DeclawingandAlternatives.pml
http://www.phsspca.org/training/declawing.htm
http://www.spiritessence.com/index.php?action=library&act=show&item=declawingarationallook
http://www.goodcatswearblack.com/declawing/about_declawing.htm
http://www.cara-adopt.org/declaw.html
http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/declaw.html
http://www.amby.com/cat_site/declaw.html
http://www.xmission.com/~emailbox/declaw.htm
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pointe/9352/declaw.html

Answer 4

put some sort of tied up sock with that stuff cats like the smell of next to or possibley on her scratching post and put a nasty smelling thing on the carpet till it uses the scratch post not the carpet.

Answer 5

Move her scratching post onto the area that she's currently scratching to motivate that. Also, make sure her scratching post isn't carpet, itself. Should be sisal. Otherwise, you're technically promoting the idea of scratching the carpet.

Answer 6

I would buy some training spray. One brand is called "Stay off training aid". You can buy it at pet stores. It is make for dogs and cats. You just spray it on the area you don't want your cat to scratch and the spray will repel your cat from that area. Thats what I did to train my cats to use their post.

Answer 7

spray a small amount of vinager on the area, see if that works.

Answer 8

you can't, what harm is this causing?