Tearing up the carpet....

[Melissa]

So, I've seen this behavior in one other cat, a couple of years ago. My kitten has decided to tear a hole in the carpet down to the board & nails at the hallway door. There are two scratch posts in the house, plus numerous toys to keep this guy busy, so I don't know why it continues. I've sprayed "no scratch" liquids on it, and it just doesn't phase him. Anyone else ever encounter this problem, if so, I'd like to know how you remedied it!!! Thanks.

[candylilacs]

Well, my 4-month-old kitten likes to claw carpet. I don't mind, there are worse things she could claw...like furniture.

I don't know if you want to go to extremes like I did. My husband and I recently bought a house...we tiled all of it except a bedroom and the den. Not as much chance for cat vomit/pee/poop and no worn holes in the carpet.

Have you tried a carpeted scratching post? Two of my cats love it, the other claws the couch.


c.

[Traci]

Regarding scratching posts...sometimes cats prefer to have sisal (rope) rather than carpet on the post.

[Candycane]

My cats also like using cardboard scratchers. Maybe a variety of different materials will stimulate them to scratch where they are supposed to. Otherwise, getting him into the habit of having his nails trimmed may be a good idea.

[Melissa]

Both of the scratch posts are carpeted, and they have a cardboard scratch area which they don't pay any attention to. They even use part of the couch, which I don't mind. But I live in an apartment, so the carpet is kind of a concern. But thanks for all the replies!!!

[candylilacs]

My one cat loved his scratchy post down to the cardboard nub. He especially like that it rotated (it was held down by a screw, but it was loose so it moved in a circle) so he could kick it with his hind legs indefinitely. Eventually I had to throw it away because it was nothing but a cardboard nub.

He got the new one and immediately started kicking it with his hind legs. It didn't budge, so he wasn't as pleased with it.

Anyway, he was probably about four months old when I intro'd the scratching post. He responded to praise a lot and always scratches there.

You might want to praise consciously from now on.

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b.

[Paulette]

We had to catproof our home because of their love of carpets! We have wood or tiles on the floors. We have several scatter rugs around, but the only kind I have found that they cannot destroy are the ones made of jute or sisal or hemp. These seem to be very tough and no matter how much they claw they don't do any real damage. You can get these rugs in any size--some are solid, some prints.

We also have little carpet squares which are remnants you can get in carpet stores or bargain stores very cheap. I have them in every room and they are there specifically for the cats. They really go to town on them and periodically I replace them. I put them away when company comes over.

Any time we tried to have carpetting they just clawed it badly. I think this is just something a lot of cats like and need to do.

[Guest]

Did you ever wonder why most cat households have a lot of bare wood floors?

[paulette2]

Yes! And another good reason is because of the shedding!! When I had carpets I was vacuuming every day! It's easier to maintain the tile/wood floors!

[Melissa]

Thanks again! I think I'll try the small carpet rugs to put in place where he's scratching. I love the little guy to death, but this one thing drives me nuts.