my cat has to stop scratching please help?

Question

Either the cat stops scratching the wallpaper or my mum says she has to go. Please give me some advice.
Also do many vets declaw cats as I have heard not many will do it?
have seen a number of claw protectors you can glue on but she wont let me touch her legs or sit still

Yes she is spayed and has 3 scratching posts in total but isnt interested in any of them, Have tried catnip but she doesnt seem interested in it?
She is one in feb

Answer 1

1) Give her appropriate places to scratch. Put at least one scratching post right next to the spots she is scratching.

2) Show her how to use it and give her a treat for using the post.

3) Spray her with a spray bottle every time she scratches the wallpaper. Give he a treat when she uses the post. (It is actually more effective if you give her a treat 60-80% of the time she doe it right. When she has stopped uising the wall, you can taper off on giving treats for using hte post.)

There are scratching posts and scratching pads that are lower to the floor and on an incline. Also, I made my cats' favorite scratching area by covering a bulletin board in burlap and then just propping it up agiant the wall. It allows them to reach higher -- stretch -- while scratching . This is more like what they would do in a natural environment.

Answer 2

Cats have scent glands in their paws, so when they scratch, it leaves a scent mark that encourages them to use the same place each time. This is why it's worth spending time teaching a cat to use a scratch post, because once they do, they will always want to use it. A scratching post for an adult cat should be at least 28" tall as they like to stretch when they scratch. If the post is too small or unstable, that can put some cats off using them. Some prefer scratching other substances like corrugated cardboard or a heavy duty door mat. Offer your cat a few alternatives until you find out what she will use. When you play with her, trail toys or string over the scratch post, so that she has to grab for it. Once she sinks her claws into the post, she will get the idea that it feels good to scratch there. When she uses the post, give her a reward of a tasty bit of food or lots of praise and affection. Make all the associations with the post good ones as this will also encourage her to keep using it. Keeping her claws trimmed is another way to limit accidental damage. The web article below has lots of advice on teaching them to use a post and how to trim their claws.

http://www.catscratching.com/

Temporarily cover the wallpaper with a sheet of heavy duty plastic, or a PVC board to stop your cat reaching the wallpaper, or put double-sided sticky tape on the floor in the spot where your cat's back legs are usually positioned when she scratches If it's uncomfortable to stand there, she won't be able to scratch. Generally, cats don't scratch in places they have chin-rubbed, so you can also spray the area once a day for 21 days with Feliway. Do not punish her when you catch her scratching the wallpaper, as this will make her resort to doing it when nobody is watching. Instead, tell her "no" in a firm voice and direct her to the scratch post instead.

It does take patience and kindness to train a cat good claw manners, but it really is worth the effort.

Thankfully declawing is not an option for you, as it's actually illegal in the UK on the grounds of animal cruelty. The law quite rightly refers to it as "unnecessary mutilation".

Answer 3

How old is your cat? Is she spayed?

If you have a kitten (less than a year), you need to get her spayed ASAP. That's step one in getting her to calm down. Step 2 is if you don't want her scratching *there* then you have to give her something to scratch *here*. There are lots of scratching posts available from expensive designer ones to cardboard-based versions that only cost a few dollars. Ones with catnip will help catch her interest.

Cats scratch to shed the outer covering of their claws. It's a natural process. I'd also suggest getting her used to being handled and having her feet touched so you can trim her nails. She'll likely never enjoy it, but over time, they will get used to it. Keepign her nails trimmed will also reduce her urge to scratch.

Don't declaw. What you're really doing is de-toeing. It's painful and can cause all sorts of problems.

Like puppies and chewing, it's a natural behavior that will happen. The only thing you can do is direct that behavior to an acceptable outlet (get a scratching post).

Spraying a Feliway product on her current favorite scratching spot will also help. You can find those sprays at any pet store.

Answer 4

Don't get rid of the cat and PLEASE don't declaw her.

Get the double-sided sticky tape to put where she scratches--kitty won't like the feeling of the tape on her paws and will learn to stop scratching there. Get her either a scratching post or a corrugated cardboard box. My kitty loves the corrugated cardboard scratchboxes, especially the ones that are angled. Put catnip on the scratchbox/scratchpost to encourage her to use that.

My cat used to scratch the sofa (which is already pretty battered), so I got the scratchbox. When I caught her scratching the sofa, I would firmly tell her to use her scratchbox.

Answer 5

I would call your vet and ask if they do de-clawing. I think it might depend on the age of your cat (they like to do it best when they are kittens). If they do de-claw, you will have to not use kitty litter for a while, and use newspaper scraps instead. But....getting back to scratching. I know if you go to petsmart, or even petsmart.com you can order this no scratching tape. Otherwise they have these things you can slip on over your cats nails. (if your cat doesnt want to sit still..have someone help you hold her, or even ask your vet to put those on).

Hope this helps :)

Answer 6

get her a scratch post then get a water bollte and when she scratches where you dont want her to give her a little spray this also works to train her other ways also such as staying off tables or digging in plants etc etc