Topic: Training cats not to scratch furniture/stairs (Read 14770 times)

JackSpratt · « **Reply #41 on:** March 27, 2007, 09:34:34 AM »

Susanne, that's funny. I'd bookmarked that on EBay because I thought it might be useful! We have tried spraying repellent on the stairs, but it doesn't seem to be very effective.

I'd not thought about just getting doormats. Cunning!

Susanne (urbantigers) · « **Reply #40 on:** March 27, 2007, 09:03:26 AM »

Mine sometimes scratch the carpet but tbh it doesn't really show any damage. Carpets are pretty resistant to scratching unless they're scratching in corners and pulling it away from the wall.

Have you got flat scratching pads like this one?

http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/cats/scratching_posts/scratching_pads/13163

I'd get a few of them (or just plain old doormats) and try to get them to use those as much as possible. I'm not sure how you'd stop carpet scratching tbh because you can't really put anything repellent on the floor. re furniture - throws and sticky paws!

JackSpratt · « **Reply #39 on:** March 26, 2007, 22:49:22 PM »

Sarah, thanks for the input.

I've had my oldest cat 12 years now, and am quite honestly a bit frustrated at HAVING to have a throw because the little blighters won't claw the things they are provided with!

They have:
1 large activity centre.
1 large scratchpost
1 slightly smaller scratchpost
1 wallmounted scratchpad
2 fairly large interactive scratch toys

I will say though,the catnip spray is a huge hit. I still found my youngest boy clawing the stairs earlier though.....stubborn little sod!

Out of the four of them, he's actually the main culprit for the stair scratching. Parsley, the cat we lost recently, always scratched either the hideous wallpaper(which we were OK about....because it's hideous!)or went outside. The older two are the main "sofa culprits" and the youngest one is just picking up everyones bad habits!

Sarah (seldom_use) · « **Reply #38 on:** March 26, 2007, 21:30:44 PM »

Hi Jack, I put a throw over the couch, a throw over the area of carpet they scratch, I now have a big scratch post and they love that, have sprayed cat nip spray on that and they seemed to have stopped

Sarah x

JackSpratt · « **Reply #37 on:** March 24, 2007, 16:48:06 PM »

Hehe! I'm shouting as loud as I can! The only time I get any louder is when I have alcohol based fuel in my system!

ccmacey · « **Reply #36 on:** March 24, 2007, 12:53:14 PM »

Your not shouting loud enough. When my cats go for something they arnt allowed to scratch its like Ive been possessed and it just comes out of me like an almighty roar, its an instant reaction. Otherwise I don't shout at them and I think this is how they distinguish between doing something wrong and something being ok.

JackSpratt · « **Reply #35 on:** March 24, 2007, 12:31:37 PM »

That's actually a good question! Even when I'm angry with them and raise my voice, they ignore me. My partner on the other hand is the authority figure. If he sees them doing anything and tells them off, they run away and sulk!

ccmacey · « **Reply #34 on:** March 24, 2007, 12:23:11 PM »

My cats just use the scratch posts to have a strech now, but at first when I got the new sofa they did have a go on it, this was followed by a loud screech by me and they soon learned not to do it. Do you raise your voice when telling them off if they have scratched something.

JackSpratt · « **Reply #33 on:** March 24, 2007, 12:19:24 PM »

While having a stretch.(Usually. Although, you know what cats are like!

)

ccmacey · « **Reply #32 on:** March 24, 2007, 12:14:20 PM »

Are they scratching while having a mad moment or just scratching while having a strech?

JackSpratt · « **Reply #31 on:** March 24, 2007, 12:06:41 PM »

Yep to the repellent and I used the stuff mentioned earlier on the scratchposts to encourage use of them. Thanks for the advice, though CC.

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ccmacey · « **Reply #30 on:** March 24, 2007, 12:04:27 PM »

Have you been spraying catnip spray on their scratch posts? The vet told me to do this so the cats know where its ok to scratch, but macey still has a go at the wallpapper, I did used to spray the sofa with a repellent and they dont scratch it anymore.

JackSpratt · « **Reply #29 on:** March 24, 2007, 11:53:12 AM »

Quote from: Hippykitty on March 24, 2007, 05:40:56 AM

It would probably be easier to pay for a cheap (cord) stair carpet, rather than trying to train a cat. You really are on a hiding to nothing with this.
Sorry.

I do see what you're saying, but unfortunately I'm pretty sure my landlord(who is very understanding about my love of cats!) wouldn't agree to buy even the cheapest carpet just to allow my cats to use it as a scratch area!

Any more suggestions are welcomed.

Hippykitty · « **Reply #28 on:** March 24, 2007, 05:40:56 AM »

It would probably be easier to pay for a cheap (cord) stair carpet, rather than trying to train a cat. You really are on a hiding to nothing with this.
Sorry.

Sabrina (Auferstehen) · « **Reply #27 on:** March 22, 2007, 16:30:13 PM »

Is there a no-chewing cat spray?

My Lirael hasn’t figured out that she stopped teething over a year ago. And quite likes Ikea furniture to chew.

Leanne · « **Reply #26 on:** March 22, 2007, 14:19:37 PM »

No scratch doens't smell at all, I must admit I was quite skepital as to whether it would work but its kept Jess off the sofa (except when Hubby accidently

got the capnip and no scratch bottles mixed up and we ended up with no scratch on the posts and catnip on the sofa

)

The no scratch doesn't seem to work on my blinds though

JackSpratt · « **Reply #25 on:** March 22, 2007, 14:14:38 PM »

Quote from: lynn on March 22, 2007, 13:53:30 PM

have you guys with the problem actually just had a water mist bottle sitting and everytime you catch them give them a skoosh ??

Yep!

CurlyCatz · « **Reply #24 on:** March 22, 2007, 13:53:30 PM »

have you guys with the problem actually just had a water mist bottle sitting and everytime you catch them give them a skoosh ??

Dawn F · « **Reply #23 on:** March 22, 2007, 13:48:59 PM »

does it smell?

Leanne · « **Reply #22 on:** March 22, 2007, 13:39:15 PM »

http://www.petlifeonline.co.uk/Store/Cats/Care/No-Scratch-Cat-Spray

Just found it on here as well,

Leanne · « **Reply #21 on:** March 22, 2007, 13:37:57 PM »

I got it from Pet Supermarket

http://www.pet-supermarket.co.uk/erol.html?gclid=CNPk6LTAiIsCFQTdlAodljkiFg

The only thing is I've not had the greatest service with Pet Supermarket and I can't find anyone else who sells it.

JackSpratt · « **Reply #20 on:** March 22, 2007, 11:52:06 AM »

Lynn, I've tried this which I was told would do the same thing. Apparantly not!

Jess's mum, where is No Scratch from?

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Leanne · « **Reply #19 on:** March 22, 2007, 10:23:02 AM »

Well we tried orange peel and Jess just knocked it off the window ledge, but an Aunt of mine swears by it, and used to put it just by the corner of her sofas and her kittens stopped scratching the sofas.

We've used no scratch and thats quite good as well

CurlyCatz · « **Reply #18 on:** March 22, 2007, 10:18:54 AM »

jack have you tried spraying the scratch posts with catnip spray ?

JackSpratt · « **Reply #17 on:** March 22, 2007, 10:16:51 AM »

Thanks for the links.

We already have a large scratch activity centre, two posts and a scratch pad but they still "forget" from time to time! I think one of the bottom posts would be too big and the other one would be too small!

Millys Mum · « **Reply #16 on:** March 21, 2007, 18:33:01 PM »

My aunts cat tends to sleep on the wave post!
I was thinking of something like :

http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/cats/scratching_posts/kitten_scratching_posts/35761

or

http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/cats/scratching_posts/medium/36002

Depends on how much space you have! I second the throw on the sofa suggestion, although they sometimes ferret inside it

forever_missing_my_boys(Lisa) · « **Reply #15 on:** March 21, 2007, 17:52:09 PM »

ive never been able to stop any of my cats from sratching the sofas the bed , my leather pc chair

theyve ripped wallpaper ripped my nets
ive put throws over my sofas but they just get under neath the throws n still scratch

Debbie · « **Reply #14 on:** March 21, 2007, 17:45:48 PM »

Hi Jack

I have used the paws away as Sam was scratching on my pine bed at 5am

it worked on that but not sure about on sofas. I have a HUGE scratch post for him and he generally goes straight to that although on occasion he does try a sneaky little scratch on my sofa but nothing too serious

swampmaxmum · « **Reply #13 on:** March 21, 2007, 17:42:51 PM »

One wrecked sofa later, we found out by chance that if we covered it with a throw (completely) that they both lost interest in clawing it. The same with landlord's stair carpet (looked odd covered with cloth, but it worked).
Just a thought.

Michelle (furbabystar) · « **Reply #12 on:** March 21, 2007, 17:32:53 PM »

Quote from: JackSpratt on March 21, 2007, 15:13:02 PM

Ideas please.

So far tried, all available repellents, squirt guns, sudden noises. Ummmm........I'm sure there's more.

Nope i've not found a way

JackSpratt · « **Reply #11 on:** March 21, 2007, 17:19:24 PM »

Thanks Millys mum!

Has anyone tried these:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140098078930&fromMakeTrack=true

Are they any good?

Also, these scratch areas:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WAVE-ON-POST-CAT-SCRATCHING-POSTS-TREES-SCRATCH_W0QQitemZ150103725204QQcategoryZ20740QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Anyone have one?

Millys Mum · « **Reply #10 on:** March 21, 2007, 17:14:46 PM »

Mine used to scratch the sofa because it was near a doorway, when we moved the sofa i put a scratching post there and they carried on, phew!

Some cats prefer stairs because of the angle, so have a scout about for a cat post which mimics that angle.

Drenching it in organic catnip may get their attention. I find mine like a post more if its covered in sisal than carpet or card.

JackSpratt · « **Reply #9 on:** March 21, 2007, 17:06:05 PM »

I'm not sure if I've tried Get Off. I'vve tried an awful lot of them, though.

Problem is, we're in rented accomodation and the landlord has decided (quite nicely of him, to be fair) that the stair carpets are looking old and tired and need replacing. I really can't have them scratching the c**p out of a new carpet. Not because of my bond, but because we've lived here a number of years and are on good terms with the landlord. (How many tenants can say that?!)

tab · « **Reply #8 on:** March 21, 2007, 17:02:05 PM »

What gets me is during the day Mogs scratched the sofa I say her name she looks at me and stops. When I go to bed however she seems to think she cant see me so I cant hear her and its only a little flat so I can. I call her and she just ignores me completely

love
Tab

Leanne · « **Reply #7 on:** March 21, 2007, 16:54:18 PM »

I'm going to try orange peel in front of my blinds tonight, I have a suspision that Jess might just knock them off though!

Mark · « **Reply #6 on:** March 21, 2007, 16:25:03 PM »

Training cats?

Not possible I'm afraid?

Not that they are stupid. They do what suits them.....end of

My stairs are getting shredded. I bought some stuff called "get off" in PAH that I have used after I get rid of wee. It smells really lemony and they don't like it. Might be worth a try but it smells really strong - If you like chemical lemon smells that's fine

JackSpratt · « **Reply #5 on:** March 21, 2007, 16:11:34 PM »

It's sensor activated isn't it? Won't it just go off every time anyone goes near the sofa/stairs?

Ela · « **Reply #4 on:** March 21, 2007, 16:02:07 PM »

Quote

what about that sssscccat product ela told us about

see www.ssscat.com

CurlyCatz · « **Reply #3 on:** March 21, 2007, 15:53:31 PM »

chop their feet off

what about that sssscccat product ela told us about ?

it sounds pretty darned good for this sort of thing.

Dawn F · « **Reply #2 on:** March 21, 2007, 15:45:06 PM »

if anyone knows let me know! I have tried and failed with Star, she loves to scratch the stairs, I think I might just be something you have to live with!

Author Topic: Training cats not to scratch furniture/stairs (Read 14770 times)

ccmacey

ccmacey

ccmacey

ccmacey