What do you do about cats

[KanoasDestiny]

We have three house cats and all three of them are horrible about scratching on places they aren't supposed to. Our oldest uses the door runner (?). Our youngest male is using the edge of the sofa and has KILLED the fabric - you can actually see the wood!, and our female uses the carpet. We yell at them and chase them around, but I swear I can hear them laughing at us the whole time. :rolleyes: Fingers crossed, we hope to get our new place sometime in the near future. It's a brand new place! We'd like to get a brand new sectional sofa, but I'm scared they will ruin it along with the carpet. We bought them a couple of those cat nip scratchers and they refuse to use them. I refuse to get them declawed, but they are driving me wild.

What do you guys use to deter your cats? Is there any way of breaking this? They are indoor cats only.

[WashingtonBay]

Do provide the ideal place for them to scratch. Mine get to go out so I encourage them to scratch on trees, but some like wood, some like fabric. Mine like the bristly door mats. Buy them one of those.

Once you've provided good places, put strips of double sided tape on the places you don't want them to scratch. The idea is they get it stuck to their paws and their fur, and it's a bad scene, not to mention a pretty funny scene, while they run through the house trying to get that tape off of them and hopefully they won't want to scratch there again... put the tape back up just to be sure ;)

[Horseaholic]

http://www.properpet.com/imperialcat-00105.html?ref=base

they'll still scratch their favorite spots but not near as much. I have 4 of these throughout the house and they looovvveee them.


never used this stuff but maybe you could try it out??
http://www.petshed.com/products/item2927.asp

[natisha]

I believe there is a deterent spray that people can't smell but cats do.
Try bringing in a small tree limb.
I had a cat who destroyed everything including walls. I tried sprays, spray bottles, scratching posts all over, all kinds of stuff. Nothing worked. Though I think declawing is cruel I had to do it if I was to keep him. The day he came home after his procedure he went to use a post-for the first time-just to make me feel guilty.
He did fine without claws & we were all happy.
Sometimes it just needs to be done.

[BlaiseGlaze]

we got an awesome 7 foot tall tree from armarkat.
LOVE IT
Cats LOVE IT

[oursarge]

Mine scratch the rugs and I have all kinds of scratching things for them. I tried the spray that didn't work. I should try that cardboard thingy, I don't think I have one of them. One of mine came declawed, we got her from the shelter, the other 2 from rescues, Molly is good about getting her nails clipped but Jack won't tolerate it. They do sell those little plastic nail things you put on their nails but I don't know if they work or not. I've been tempted to try them. We got new furniture last yr, they don't scratch it but they lay on it, it's the most miserable thing to clean. If I knew that fabric would hold hair like that I wouldn't have bought it, it's microsuede. I have to have throws on everything in that room. Beautiful furniture with throws on it to keep the cats off, it looks awful. I hate it but I hate the hair too. They really did a number on the rug, they have pulled the fibers up from clawing on it and I have a scratching matte right on the rug hoping they would use is but they won't. Good Luck, hope you find something to help, nothing helps with mine.

[natisha]

Mine scratch the rugs and I have all kinds of scratching things for them. I tried the spray that didn't work. I should try that cardboard thingy, I don't think I have one of them. One of mine came declawed, we got her from the shelter, the other 2 from rescues, Molly is good about getting her nails clipped but Jack won't tolerate it. They do sell those little plastic nail things you put on their nails but I don't know if they work or not. I've been tempted to try them. We got new furniture last yr, they don't scratch it but they lay on it, it's the most miserable thing to clean. If I knew that fabric would hold hair like that I wouldn't have bought it, it's microsuede. I have to have throws on everything in that room. Beautiful furniture with throws on it to keep the cats off, it looks awful. I hate it but I hate the hair too. They really did a number on the rug, they have pulled the fibers up from clawing on it and I have a scratching matte right on the rug hoping they would use is but they won't. Good Luck, hope you find something to help, nothing helps with mine. Microsuede vaccums great!

[oursarge]

Our Microsuede doesn't, the hair won't come off, it's horrible. We even have the beater brush thingy on the new Shark Pet Vacuum we got thinking that would work, it helps but not great. Picking dark brown didn't help matters any. I thought it would be easy to clean but it's been a nightmare. 3 long haired cats shed ALOT!

[shewasmyshadow]

Both of our indoor cats have their front claws removed. It's never bothered them a bit. :)

Oh, and we have leather couches. Before my kitty got declawed he never touched that couch. He did a number on our mattress, but wouldn't touch the couch. Also, about the double stick tape...try carpet tape. Go to Menards or someplace and ask for Carpet Tape. That's the thickest, heaviest and stickiest tape you've ever seen. It's double sided and would probably work great! I use it for crafting, but you could try it on the spots where they scratch now. ;)

[luckydoublesranch]

Our cats seem to LOVE pieces of firewood. We always have one or two next to the stove for them to scratch on. They won't touch the catnip and rug creations for kitties either. I'm soooo happy to hear declawing is not an option. I have assisted with many declawing procedures before working for the SPCA and never desensitized to them. I don't think people realize what the operation entails.

[KanoasDestiny]

Thank you for your suggestions. I will definately be checking into some of them and hopefully something will work. They all pick somewhere different, and it's going to be hard to protect the wall, couch and carpet. :doh: I saw those nail cap things too, but wasn't sure if they really worked or not. I guess my main concern would be, would they hurt their nails by not allowing them to grow naturally? Or what if they swallowed them? Definately need to look into them more, although I'm not sure how great messing with their paws would go over. Lol.

My husband wants to declaw them, but I refuse to do it. Although I'm worried about the possibility of infection, pain, etc., I'm more worried that they would no longer have their defense mechanism. Of course they are safe while in the house with us, but what would happen if they got outside by mistake? Or if there were an earthquake (I live in shakey california) or fire, and they got out? I'd be terrified that they wouldn't have any way of defending themselves against dogs, or that they couldn't climb trees or fences to get away. I'd just prefer to leave them intact because unfortunately, there's always that possibility that something could happen.

If only they were as easy to train as dogs. :rolleyes:

[KanoasDestiny]

Blaiseglaze - I want to get something like one of those cat tree's but I wasn't sure if they are sturdy when they are that tall? Or do you anchor it to the wall somehow?

[vicklynn]

If they are indoor cats only, why dont you declaw them?

[vicklynn]

Our Microsuede doesn't, the hair won't come off, it's horrible. We even have the beater brush thingy on the new Shark Pet Vacuum we got thinking that would work, it helps but not great. Picking dark brown didn't help matters any. I thought it would be easy to clean but it's been a nightmare. 3 long haired cats shed ALOT!
I have all my furniture that is cloth covered for that reason.

[WashingtonBay]

My husband wants to declaw them, but I refuse to do it. Although I'm worried about the possibility of infection, pain, etc., I'm more worried that they would no longer have their defense mechanism. Of course they are safe while in the house with us, but what would happen if they got outside by mistake? Or if there were an earthquake (I live in shakey california) or fire, and they got out? I'd be terrified that they wouldn't have any way of defending themselves against dogs, or that they couldn't climb trees or fences to get away. I'd just prefer to leave them intact because unfortunately, there's always that possibility that something could happen.

Just to add something to the discussion about declawing versus not... my brother's cat is declawed and she is older than the hills now, but still capable of shredding anyone who tries to pick her up. When they declaw, they only declaw the fronts, and cats do learn to compensate and use the backs and their teeth for defense. She goes outside, defends herself just fine (and we have the scars to prove it) she's lived a long mean :p life and can can even still jump up high and climb trees.

For her, it was a necessity to continue to be a pet. I'd agree it would be cruel to do it without anesthesia, but with modern medicine, anesthesia and pain meds for recovery, I just don't see it as cruel if you have a cat who you just can't keep otherwise. If I'd have had his cat, I would have declawed her too, in fact, in hindsight I probably would have removed her teeth and rear claws too... (she's not a nice kitty) ;)

[vicklynn]

Oh ya WB, you got that right. I went to pet a dew clawed cat once, tore my fingers up with its back feet.
They really have no issues with defending themselves, thats for sure. Ive had dew clawed cats and they have had NO issues with trespassers.

[pasolover2]

My sis works for the vet here and she said they now declaw using laser which is much easier on a cat. The last cat I had declawed I said I would never have another one done and I haven't, but what I have are also clawing my couch, both ends look like it has been through a shredder and the corners of my wall in the hallway. I will be redoing the hallway walls and be getting those clear plastic corner covers to protect them when they are done. I also want a new livingroom sute, but hate to think these cats may shred it too. I have one of those cat tree thingys', one we bought at wally world with the three holes for hiding in. Out of all the cats I have only two use it exclusively, the others occassionally. My hubby has a little black cat that may get some claws removed if he doesn't leave my antique Queen Anne couch alone.

[BlaiseGlaze]

Blaiseglaze - I want to get something like one of those cat tree's but I wasn't sure if they are sturdy when they are that tall? Or do you anchor it to the wall somehow?
I have had the same one for about 4 years. it is very sturdy. have 4 cats here, had 6 at the other house, it has been through h e double hockey stix!
I will for sure be getting them another 7' tall one when this one finally does fall apart!

[JetLagaside]

We have a kitty condo for out 2 and they love it or I should say the sisel rope
This is the one we got and about a year later we are going to have to buy at least to new post since the rope is all but gone
http://www.kittystoreonline.com/product/A6401

they do like the cardboard but only the ones on an angle not the flat on the ground ones.

[MyMia]

We've always used the sisal rope free standing cat scratching posts (short ones--maybe 2 feet tall). We trained our cat to use it by scratching at it, shaking Pounce cat treats, and giving her one or three when she scratches on it. She loves Pounce (never met a cat that didn't), so now when she wants a Pounce, she scratches at her post. She rarely touches our couch, rugs, or anything else.

Our current cat doesn't care about catnip, but way back when I had a cat that loved it, I smeared catnip all over the scratching post (dry leaves--enough stuck so the smell was there) and he went wild scratching at the post. He loved it!

I personally wouldn't declaw a cat for the reasons you say--safety. Can you trim the claws so they're shorter and blunter but still there? I've never done it but I've heard it's more humane.

[LittleRedMare]

I trim my cats' nails (I have 7 indoor-only cats). You can buy special trimmers but I just use regular human nail clippers. It can take some time to train them to it but it is possible. Three of my cats were adults when I got them and they all adjusted to having their nails trimmed. I sit on the floor with the cat in my lap and with its back to my belly and away we go.

I personally believe that declawing should only be used as a last resort- but if it comes down between that or getting rid of the cat it is something to be considered. Laser declawing is a much better option if you choose to go that route as it is much less traumatic to the tissue and bone and drastically cuts down on post-op bleeding since it cauterizes the wounds. I think many people don't realise that declawing is actually an orthopedic surgery- it isn't just the nail that is removed but the entire first joint of the toe.

I hope you figure out a solution.

[zoel_222]

I have 5 indoor cats. They used to scratch on the couch like crazy, but we got them a scratching post and stapled old rugs onto a desk for them to use. We also get those cardboard scratchy things with cat nip in them (which only three of them like). Now they have their designated scratching area so there's no excuse for them to use the furniture. If they do try to scratch on anything but their scratching post, I squirt them with a squirt gun and go "chhh!! chhh!! chhh!" (dog whisperer noise) really loudly. That works pretty well.

[KanoasDestiny]

Yippee!!! We went to PetSmart on Saterday and bought a cat scratcher. Carpeted triangle one with a slanted cardboard side. My male cats LOVE it!!! My oldest keeps laying right next to it and I've seen my younger male using it also. I haven't seen the female scratching at all the past couple days, so I don't know if she's using it or not. I keep telling them how good they are while they are using it. I'm so happy! The males are the ones who use the wall and couch. Maybe this will at least cut down on the wear and tear. :)

I just wanted to add, that I'm not against de-clawing a cat. My best friend's cats are declawed and I love how they don't scratch on us or the furniture. I've thought about declawing ours in the past but I just came to the decision that I don't think it is the right thing to do for them. With luck, we'll hopefully be buying a home soon. None of our cats have ever lived anywhere else, and I have this fear that they may try to get out. If thats the case, I want them to have their claws since there will be dogs and coyotes in that area.