My 9 week old kitten scratches at the furniture.
I don't want to have her De- clawed But I would
like to know if anyone has suggestions.
thanks in advance.
2007-11-08 09:47:15 · 17 answers · asked by soccermom 6 in Pets ➔ Cats
Ok I well get a scratching post
I was looking at one today and
I was thinking maybe it would
make the problem worse
but since you are all suggesting
it I'll try it it had a little cat house
at the top of it too.
2007-11-08 10:07:02 · update #1
I already ruled out Declawing
I thought it seems Inhumane.
2007-11-08 11:23:24 · update #2
get it a scratching post.they sell them at walmart or you can make one.
2007-11-08 09:50:18 · answer #1 · answered by berlytea 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Kittens love to scratch and wear down their claws, especially furniture when they do not have anything else. Declawing is not the answer, as it takes away her natural defence against predators (you were right to not get her declawed!).
Scratching posts are the best solution. They provide an excellent way for your cat to sharpen her claws, and save your furniture. Bring the cat to the scratching post everyday. She will scratch the post, hopefully, and will leave your furniture alone. Bring her to the scratching post a few times a day, and when she uses it, praise her and give her a treat. If you see her scratching the furniture, scold her with a firm "No", and take her away from the chair, or couch or whatever it is.
If you don't see her scratching, but know she did it, do not do anything. Scolding her at this time will confuse her. Make sure to have the scratching post out at all times, so she can use it freely. If it is gone, she will go back to attacking the furniture. Good luck! :)
2007-11-08 10:17:41 · answer #2 · answered by Animal Magic 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Two ways that have worked for me are: use a spray bottle of water. When you see them scratching squirt them with the water after a while they associate scratching the furnature with getting wet and they will stop. Another way is to put a couple of coins into an empty coffee can, shake the can when they start scratching, the noise scares them off and eventually they will quit.
2007-11-08 09:51:19 · answer #3 · answered by highjinx777 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
They make plastic nail cover you can place on their nails, or get a nice big scratching post with some cat nip on it and the will scratch that instead. Also there is a spray that you can spray on the furniture that you can't smell but your cat can. Hope this helps.
2007-11-08 09:51:09 · answer #4 · answered by Jack S 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
They sell these foil like things that you can put onto your furniture at the pet stores. But I would also suggest these things called soft paws. You can also get these at any pet store and they are basically covers for your kitty's nails. You can find them in all sorts of colors and they are easy to put on. But they do fall off easily and you may have to spend 2-3 bucks a week replacing them.
2007-11-08 09:50:59 · answer #5 · answered by missareilly 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I got one of those scratching posts on a board at a pet shope in the mall. She loves to go to it and scratches to her hearts contend. We don't have a problem with her after getting it. There is a small pole with rug waped around it she loves to go to it. I am sure it will help you with your kitten and when she grows into adult cat. Carolyn
2007-11-08 10:16:03 · answer #6 · answered by Carolyn 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get a scratching post near the furniture but make sure that you put cat nip on the post to make it more attractive than the furniture.
2007-11-08 09:52:45 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Most pet stores sell large sheets of double sided tape. You place the tape on the object you don't want them to scratch (usually less than $10). The cat doesn't like the fact that their feet stick to it and don't scratch the item. We used it on our leather couch and they cats don't touch it.
2007-11-08 12:02:23 · answer #8 · answered by northerngirl.geo 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
try getting it a scratching post and everytime it starts to scratch the furniture you pick it up and take it to the scratch post and take its front feet and scratch it on it.
If that doesnt work they also sell cardboard scratchers - they come in like a flat box and are treated with catnip - my cats love them..
if you dont want to declaw your cat the have things you can get to put over its nails so it cant scratch - i think they are called soft paws
2007-11-08 09:54:01 · answer #9 · answered by country_girl 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
you should try redirecting her stratching to something she can scratch like a scratching post, you can also put catnip on the post to make it more appealing to her. If you still cant get her to stop scratching they make a product called soft paws that goes on the claws themselves. If you are going to use those, you should start right away and get her used to it while she is young. If all else fails, then I think your best option then would be declaw.
2007-11-08 10:24:37 · answer #10 · answered by wenchgirl04 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
First of all, NEVER declaw. It is cruel and unusual punishment for a problem that is easily fixable.
Yes, get a scratching post, as in a carpeted covered tree. And praise it whenever you see it use the post.
Good luck and spoil it.
2007-11-08 10:32:23 · answer #11 · answered by mystique 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋