Yeah so me and my BF have been living in this apartment for a while and we were told initially that we could have cats but they had to be declawed. I asked if there was a grace period and they said yes. Now they never followed up on it so I was happy not having to declaw at all.
The problem:
Their scratching has become out of control lately. Lucy used to be fine, she had a spot on Rob's bedspring that she would scratch. Luffy on the other hand kept scratching at the door (he wanted to go out I think). We tried those things where you spray it on and it makes the cats not want to scratch. But because it was a door, it didn't go so well. Finally Rob taped a blanket to the wall and now Luffy doesn't scratch the door anymore.
A few days ago Rob brought home two scratching posts. Trying to encourage the cats to use them he put one by the door and the other by the spot where Lucy would scratch. Poor Lucy went to scratch on it but it wasn't very stable and it fell over on her. She didn't use it again. Just today we removed both posts because they were doing no good and Lucy began to scratch the carpeting >_< She seems to have totally forgotten about her favorite spot. I think we turned her off of it by accident.
Neither one of us really know what to do. Lucy can be trained but... you know humans need to sleep and what if she claws a bunch when we're sleeping and we wake up to find the carpet all scratched up? Luffy really does what he wants, he cannot be trained.. the water bottle has no effect on him and I don't konw what else to do. We seemed to have stopped his scratching for now but unless we can find a better solution, I think we'll have to declaw.
We looked at soft paws but also read that sometimes cats will scratch even bigger holes with them. So I'm not sure if I want to try them.
Anyone have any suggestions? They're both about 4 years old and I'd hate to do this to them when they've gotten so used to their claws >_<
I think I might have to declaw
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slvrwhispr
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If you've only had the posts a couple of days, put them back out, or take them back for a pair that are more stable.. Try rubbing catnip or something enticing to your cats on the post, or placing treats on top to get them to notice the posts. I had one for a couple of months before Izzy figured it out, but she eventually took the hint. Okay, so she still claws the crap out of my easy chair, but that's all she really goes after, so I just call it a draw. Make sure the posts are someplace that they spend a lot of their time anyway. If Luffy likes to claw at the door, put a post next to the door. Show him what it's there for by scratching at it yourself with him right there, or even putting his paws on it if he trusts you enough to touch his paws. Don't give up; training like this takes time.
Put a plastic runner by the door to prevent scratching the carpet at the door.
I agree with slvrwhispr, get sturdier cat posts, maybe even invest in a cat-tree that has at least two cubby holes or kitty perches, steps, etc so that it is interesting and entertaining for them. Make sure the kitty tree has sisal on the legs for scratching, not just carpet, cats prefer sisal to carpet. Also make sure the kitty tree has at least three legs (columns) supporting it because anything less truly is not stable enough. A kitty tree is much funner than a scratching post, and once they are interested in it, start sleeping on it, view it as their own "jungle gym", the more likely they are to use it soley for scratching. Place the kitty tree in the area they are most often sociable in (i.e., livingroom, your bedroom, by a safe window - if placing by a window, make sure there are NO drapes, mini-blinds or cords they can get to!). Put small amounts of catnip inside their cubby holes or on a perch to entice them.
I agree with slvrwhispr, get sturdier cat posts, maybe even invest in a cat-tree that has at least two cubby holes or kitty perches, steps, etc so that it is interesting and entertaining for them. Make sure the kitty tree has sisal on the legs for scratching, not just carpet, cats prefer sisal to carpet. Also make sure the kitty tree has at least three legs (columns) supporting it because anything less truly is not stable enough. A kitty tree is much funner than a scratching post, and once they are interested in it, start sleeping on it, view it as their own "jungle gym", the more likely they are to use it soley for scratching. Place the kitty tree in the area they are most often sociable in (i.e., livingroom, your bedroom, by a safe window - if placing by a window, make sure there are NO drapes, mini-blinds or cords they can get to!). Put small amounts of catnip inside their cubby holes or on a perch to entice them.
..........Traci
Re: I think I might have to declaw
Well the good news is both cats started using the bed corner again this morning.
I think I will look into a cat tree because now that you mention it, my cat growing up had one and she loved it. I cant believe I didn't think of that.
Thanks guys, I'll let you know how it goes, and for the record, Luffy hates it when I touch his paws
I think I will look into a cat tree because now that you mention it, my cat growing up had one and she loved it. I cant believe I didn't think of that.
Thanks guys, I'll let you know how it goes, and for the record, Luffy hates it when I touch his paws
Sonique
Re: I think I might have to declaw
So far I've had great luck with three cats using my favorite method of getting them to use a scratching post.
Just got a new kitten a few weeks ago and she wanted to scratch EVERYTHING in the place... But she's already almost stopped scratching anything but the scratching post.
My method: "Hey, look at me doing this, isn't it fun? Yeah, it is! Good kitty! :D"
When the cat is near the post and seems interested, scratch your hand up and down the scratching post on the side opposite to where the cat is. If you're lucky, this will entice them to feel silly and start scratching the other side because they think you're playing. Making them think it's fun is a good thing. Talk very happy to them if they do scratch and pet them and call them a good kitty. Do this often.
That combined with consistent reinforcement against scratching things they shouldn't scratch works really well for me.
Just got a new kitten a few weeks ago and she wanted to scratch EVERYTHING in the place... But she's already almost stopped scratching anything but the scratching post.
My method: "Hey, look at me doing this, isn't it fun? Yeah, it is! Good kitty! :D"
When the cat is near the post and seems interested, scratch your hand up and down the scratching post on the side opposite to where the cat is. If you're lucky, this will entice them to feel silly and start scratching the other side because they think you're playing. Making them think it's fun is a good thing. Talk very happy to them if they do scratch and pet them and call them a good kitty. Do this often.
That combined with consistent reinforcement against scratching things they shouldn't scratch works really well for me.