Two year old cat just started scratching at walls, dressers and doors?

Question

I have this two year old cat who just started scratching on our walls, doors and dressers. She has a scratching post, and when she does this it's only at night when my husband and I are trying to sleep. If we close the door, she scratches at the door. It's driving us nuts, and I'm at the point where I want to get rid of her because I can't sleep at night anymore. I've tried looking up solutions online, but none direct this problem. I need help and don't know what to do... Anyone have any tips??

She is spayed, and we do keep the door open, she still scratches on the walls and dressers. My husband can't sleep at night either because of this. We've tried spraying her with water and telling her "No", but she still continues. She uses to cat scratcher we have, as well as one of our really old sofa's.

Answer 1

my cat does the same thing.he scratches the walls at like 3 in the morning every morning and he wont stop! SO we bought him something called "Soft Paws",I had used them before,but he didn't have them on for a while,so we put them on and that solves the problem.They cost about 20 dollars for 40 caps and 2 tubes of glue (you clip the claws first -not off,just short- ,then apply glue in the cap,and simply slide it on the claw).The cat might not like it at first,but it isn't harmful to them.
I think you can buy them at petsmart or petco.If not just go to http://softpaws.com
hope this helps.good luck,I know how annoying it is.it's a great alternative to getting rid of the cat or getting it declawed

Answer 2

That can be quite frustrating when a pet is doing something that you don't want them to do. I am assuming that your cat still has her nails--I would first check to see if she needs her nails trimmed. If you have never done this before your vet or local groomers can help you. Otherwise there is a link below with some advise and photos to help.

Alright, another possible thing is this--cats have scent glands along the tail, on each side of their head, on their lips, base of their tail, chin, near their sex organs, and between their front paws. They use these glands to scent mark their territory. When the cat rubs you, she is marking you with her scent, claiming you as "hers." Too, she is picking up your scent. Cats rub up against furniture or doorways for the same reason - to mark the item as "hers". (Urine spraying is also a territorial marking, by the way, so at least she isn't doing that).

I would leave the door open at night--a lot times if you "lock" a cat out of a certain room that you are in all they want to do then is be with you more than anything else. Allowing her to just be with you a little would probably eliminate the scratching of the door at night.

A great solution, that may look and sound ridiculous, are claw covers. The last link below will show them on www.PetSmart.com.

Hope this was helpful! Please don't hesitate to ask any other animal related questions at anytime.

Thanks,
Tidy Tanks Aquarium and Pet Services!

Answer 3

Try moving around the scratching post to where the cat scratches the most. It might help getting multiple ones. My cat just started scratching and it seems to help. Whatever you do DO NOT open the door for the cat when they scratch or respond I know it is frustrating but it will eventually stop. Try getting some toys for the cat to play with as well or some climbing kitty furniture.

Answer 4

Perhaps shes bored or lonely. cats can become quite attached to their owners and can feel "abandoned" when you go to bed. My cat does this too and we spend half the night throwing cushions at her. Thing that seem to help are letting her out side more and getting another cat but you may not want to do this. sometimes ignoring them for a while, how ever difficult it is may teach them it's not acceptable. This combined with the cushion throwing has helped with my cats but it has taken time and perseverance. It now only happens occasionally and as soon as we open the door she runs away. A friend of mine uses a spray bottle with water and a tiny bit of eucalyptus oil and give her cat a squirt when it's naughty. it doesn't hurt, they just don't like the smell and it gives them a bit of a shock.

You could always ask your local vet for advice or perhaps a dog or cat trainer.

Answer 5

Did you used to let her sleep in your room at night? If so she's probably just wanting in.

If you want, find out where she's clawing the door, get some adhesive stuff that wont harm the door that is fairly thick and sticky on both sides. She'll come to the door and dig her claws into that and she will not like that crap getting caught up in her pretty perfect feet one bit. It might take a few nights and replacing the strips once or twice to break her completely, but eventually she'll begin to associate clawing the door with bad sticky feet.

Answer 6

Has your cat been spayed or neutered? I hate to sound like Bob Barker, but cats are sexual animals too.

My cat does this in the evenings at times (she's been spayed) and I've found that she just needs some attention.

Answer 7

My cat started doing this when he was about the same age as yours. We had him neutered, and since then his bahvioral issues have subsided. When animals reach puberty, they become frustrated and, well, horny. By taking that away from them, they return to being the cute little pets they are. :)

Answer 8

Get a reasonably sized pot and fill it half way. Boil the water on the stove for 10 minutes. Place cat in water. Hope this helps?

Answer 9

It sounds like strictly a house cat, so i would get it declawed. The cat will still be the same old cat but will not have the means to tear up the house.

Answer 10

open the door, or let her in with you at night? Obviously she wants to be in the room with you guys.. so let her in.