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Cat Forum / Cat Anecdotes / December 2005New scratching post dissed
Kitty FC sometimes scratches at the arm of my settee, the upright part, and she always gets her claws caught. This is not fun for either of us when I try to get her free. So, imagine my surprise when I went into my local thrift shop near my workplace and there was a brand new scratching post in there!! Nice fur covered base, 18 inch high sisal post and a little fur bit at the top. A bargain at only 2 British pounds, around 4 dollars or so. Of course I had to have it, no question about it. I bore it home proudly. Set it right beside the arm of the settee where Kitty likes to scratch. I thought she would love it. Totally ignored to date.. <sigh> Tweed >Kitty FC sometimes scratches at the arm of my settee, the upright part, and >she always gets her claws caught. This is not fun for either of us when I [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > >Tweed It doesn't smell familiar yet. Sometimes you gotta get them started, prime the pump a little bit. When I bring a new post in, I rub catnip all over it. That gets 'em started scratching, and once they get started . . . Theresa Stinky Pictures: http://community.webshots.com/album/125591586JWEFwh My Blog: http://www.humanitas.blogspot.com Make Levees, Not War >>Kitty FC sometimes scratches at the arm of my settee, the upright >>part, and she always gets her claws caught. This is not fun for [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > rub catnip all over it. That gets 'em started scratching, and once > they get started . . . Me, too. I also scratch on the post myself, and take Oscar's paws and "help" her scratch a bit. I don't know if Kitty would allow that kind of manhandling, though. I also praise Oscar whenever I see her using the post. Unfortunately, that only helps once they've already started using it.  Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca >>>Kitty FC sometimes scratches at the arm of my settee, the upright >>>part, and she always gets her claws caught. This is not fun for [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] >I also scratch on the post myself, and take Oscar's paws and "help" >her scratch a bit. I do that too! Stinky is very good at imitating. Theresa Stinky Pictures: http://community.webshots.com/album/125591586JWEFwh My Blog: http://www.humanitas.blogspot.com Make Levees, Not War > I also scratch on the post myself, and take Oscar's paws and "help" > her scratch a bit. > > I don't know if Kitty would allow that kind of manhandling, though. No, she definitely wouldn't. She doesn't like me to touch her paws, at least not when she is awake. I've been guilty of having a quick stroke of them when she's in the land of nod though. She has lovely white mittens and socks. If Boyfie was near the scratching post and I took hold of his front legs, he would faint right away with sheer terror. It's been a long journey with this lad even to get him as far as he has already. He is *very* timid even now. It doesn't matter so much if Boyfie doesn't use the scratching post. He doesn't scratch the furniture. He uses the trees in the garden every day. The only time he scratches is if he asks to go out and I am in the middle of something and I say "hang on a minute.." Then he will stretch his body out and scratch the kitchen rug, like "you obviously did not hear me..!" Tweed > I also praise Oscar whenever I see her using the post. Unfortunately, > that only helps once they've already started using it. >>Kitty FC sometimes scratches at the arm of my settee, the upright part, >>and [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > all over it. That gets 'em started scratching, and once they get > started . . . Kitty is one of those few cats who just don't understand what all the fuss is about catnip, she totally ignores it, even the "good stuff." Why are you poking that under my nose? Actually, she ignores everything I do to try and please her in the entertainment line. A cardboard box? Why are you leaving that in the middle of the floor?? A paper sack left invitingly half open? Ditto. A toy mousie that looks almost like the real thing? That got a cursory glance and then I got a withering one. She thinks I am stupid, it's really bad for my self-esteem ;-) Tweed > >>Kitty FC sometimes scratches at the arm of my settee, the upright part, > >>and [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > > Tweed Kitty sounds like my Chloe. Tyrone rubs his head into the catnip and makes love to it. Chloe's like, "Duh, get it away from me." kili >> It doesn't smell familiar yet. Sometimes you gotta get them started, >> prime the pump a little bit. When I bring a new post in, I rub catnip [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > glance and then I got a withering one. > She thinks I am stupid, it's really bad for my self-esteem ;-) This is pretty much why I needed to get a dog. I love my cats, but they just don't give a darn sometimes. At the moment Jake and Kayla are in the family room having a debate over who has the best "eye". Picture a Siamese and a Border Collie having a staring contest. Jo > Kitty FC sometimes scratches at the arm of my settee, the upright part, > and she always gets her claws caught. This is not fun for either of us [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > Marble never scratches anything and has looong claws that we are always > clipping. Victor is always so busy running here and there and everywhere > that he needs only an occassional trim. Now Mr. Pumpkin is a different > story. He scratches the sofas, two of them, four arms, the recliner and [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > giving him very serious scratching post lessons. He pays little > attention, I think he is snickering. I am still the scratching post champ > of the house. Charleen >> Kitty FC sometimes scratches at the arm of my settee, the upright part, >> and she always gets her claws caught. This is not fun for either of us [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] >> of the house. > Charleen I am reading all this advice and taking in on board. I *did* rub the post last night with catnip quite hard until even I could smell it. Still no interest. I shall remember what you said, Charleen, and if both kitties are near the scratching post at the same time I *might* consider sitting on the floor and showing them by doing it myself, but probably not. It seems so silly. I can't imagine that they could understand what I mean. I will see what happens over the next few weeks. Maybe it takes time for them to notice it and realise what it's for. Maybe they don't need it as they both go out at will and can scratch on the elder trees (favourite trees for scratching.) Tweed > I shall remember what you said, Charleen, and if both kitties are near the > scratching post at the same time I *might* consider sitting on the floor and > showing them by doing it myself, but probably not. It seems so silly. I > can't imagine that they could understand what I mean. yeah, it sounds silly until you realize that we have two cats fascinated by "typing" on computer keyboards because their infancy was spent on Dylan's lap while he was writing his masters' thesis. "We can type just like Momdad" --Fil > Kitty FC sometimes scratches at the arm of my settee, the upright > part, and she always gets her claws caught. This is not fun for [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Tweed One of the scratching posts I have was rescued from a skip, even more of a bargain. :-) SignatureAdrian (Owned by Snoopy and Bagheera) A House is not a home, without a cat. http://community.webshots.com/user/clowderuk > Kitty FC sometimes scratches at the arm of my settee, the upright part, > and she always gets her claws caught. This is not fun for either of us [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Tweed Give it some time. Megan recommended a great (tall) scratching post some time ago. When I told her that both Holly and Duffy completely ignored it, she gave me the same advice that I gave you. It took about 3 weeks, then they suddenly couldn't get enough of it. In fact, that is the post that I used for the front of the Christmas cards I made this year (for those of you on the rpca holiday card list, it's the picture of Duff perched on top of the post reaching down toward Holly). MaryL > Give it some time. Megan recommended a great (tall) scratching > post some time ago. When I told her that both Holly and Duffy > completely ignored it, she gave me the same advice that I gave > you. It took about 3 weeks, then they suddenly couldn't get > enough of it. I Hmm.. I guess every cat is different, just like people. Every time I get a new post and bring it in, they are all trying to be the first to scratch it. Mark it, I guess. I've brought in 3 new ones since last year. All carpet covered. I hate those because they eventually pull out carpet threads that make a mess, but the owners seem to like that kind. SignatureCheryl >> Give it some time. Megan recommended a great (tall) scratching >> post some time ago. When I told her that both Holly and Duffy [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > pull out carpet threads that make a mess, but the owners seem to like > that kind. This one I've just got has the base and top covered with a fur fabric, not carpet. I know what has happened. I was a complete cat newbie when I first posted, looking to see how others more experienced treated their cats as I wanted to provide them with the best care that I could. I took note of every toy, scratching post, cat tree, boxes, bags, special food a lot of you were providing for your cats. It sort of seemed essential. I worried that my cats didn't get that, so I did get them some of these things. They don't want any of it. I failed to allow for the culture difference, the in/out thing. I've thought about it. Why aren't my cats interested in toys? Because if they want to hunt they can go outside and do it. Bags and boxes? Superfluous, plenty of things to hide in and pounce out of in the out. The only thing both of them seem to care about is that they have two meals a day and can curl up by the fire as required. Tweed > The only thing both of them seem to care about is that they have two meals a > day and can curl up by the fire as required. > > Tweed You should be happy! LOL. Mine need constant and I mean constant stimulation or they get really destructive. The favorite toys of mine are a pair of my husband's old boot laces; they play tug of war. The second most favorite is aluminum foil tightly squeezed into a ball. I think they like the noise it makes as it rolls across the floor. kili >> The only thing both of them seem to care about is that they have two >> meals [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > You should be happy! LOL. I am because they are. Mine need constant and I mean constant > stimulation or they get really destructive. The favorite toys of mine are > a > pair of my husband's old boot laces; they play tug of war. The second > most > favorite is aluminum foil tightly squeezed into a ball. I think they like > the noise it makes as it rolls across the floor. I know we are very fortunate to live in a country where my cats are free to roam, we live where there is hardly any traffic, gardens are large and there are fields for miles at the back of the gardens (yards.) Neither - at any rate where we live - are cats resented for passing through other properties or pooping in their seed beds. Minor irritation only for the latter. I've been hearing some awful stories from another group I'm on, where someone shoots any cat who sets foot on her property. She says it's allowed in the USA. Is it really? It certainly isn't here in the UK. Tweed > I know we are very fortunate to live in a country where my cats are free to > roam, we live where there is hardly any traffic, gardens are large and there [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Tweed No way is it allowed! Shoots cats? In fact, here in Florida pet laws are so strict that if you don't give a cat a yearly rabies shot and if the cat isn't tagged and registered, they'll come to your door and take the cat. I don't let my cats out for these simple reasons: I live in a bad neighborhood, people take cats and kill them just *because*; rabies is extremely prevalent in my county; I don't want to deal with fleas, worms, ear mites, feline leukemia, feline AIDS and ringworm; amd there are a lot of stray dogs in the neighborhood. You're lucky to live where you can let them out. I don't mind strays coming into my yard and I even feed them, but my cats are not going to hang out with the strays only to pick up whatever disease they have. kili >> > "Christina Websell" <spamfree@tinawebsell.wanadoo.co.uk> wrote in > message [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > > No way is it allowed! Shoots cats? Yes and I am now annoyed that I killfiled her otherwise I could have shown you the posts where she even boasts about it. She says that a rabid cat came into her property and bit her horse which subsequently died. I can't imagine that, since we don't have rabies here in the UK. It must have been terrible, but I don't think it's a reason to blast away any cat that sets foot on her land. On the other hand, I probably don't have any right to say that. For those who have rabies in your country, is that what you would do? Tweed > > No way is it allowed! Shoot cats? > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Tweed Here in Pasco County, Florida, we have one of the highest rates of rabies in the country. There was a rabid cat that hung around a children's school bus stop and it was all over the news that the cat needed to be eradicated because of the possibility that it could infect a child. No one was going to shoot it; they wanted to trap the cat and have it humanely euthanized because that's all you can do. Rabies is a terribly cruel viral infection that takes weeks, sometimes up to 3 months, to manifest. The result is almost always fatal. If you take a stray on that may not show signs of the infection, if the cat bites you and breaks the skin, you're very likely to contract the disease. Thing is, it's not just cats that carry it; any warm blooded animal (including people) can. The most common carriers are raccoons, rats, skunks, possums and even bats. If I knew a rabid cat was hanging around my yard, I'd do my best to trap it and call animal control. I wouldn't shoot it! kili > > > No way is it allowed! Shoot cats? > > [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > > kili Well, there are states where it is legal. I think, unfortuneately, South Dakota is one. And certainly I know of rural people who will do it. It's their property and anything they don't like venturing on it (even hoomans, in some cases) are, to them, fair game. > I can't imagine that, since we don't have rabies here in the UK. It must > have been terrible, but I don't think it's a reason to blast away any cat [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Tweed My dad has, I think three times in twenty years, used his gun to shoot rabid animals. In all cases there was clearly something wrong with them...they were not showing any normal fear of humans, nocturnal animals out during the day, one was staggering, another was behaving aggressively (I think it was two foxes and a skunk) The bodies were sent away for testing. We certainly don't shoot at every animal we see. --Fil >> I can't imagine that, since we don't have rabies here in the UK. It must >> have been terrible, but I don't think it's a reason to blast away any cat [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > >--Fil Shades of Atticus Finch!! Theresa Stinky Pictures: http://community.webshots.com/album/125591586JWEFwh My Blog: http://www.humanitas.blogspot.com Make Levees, Not War > >My dad has, I think three times in twenty years, used his gun to shoot > >rabid animals. In all cases there was clearly something wrong with [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > Shades of Atticus Finch!! Forgive me, it's been years since I read TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD....I don't get the reference. I grew up in a rather rugged area, and have the pleasure of having being set upon by a pack of feral dogs (i was 14, i think.) Our guns are still more for protection from savage animals than savage humans. --Fil >> >My dad has, I think three times in twenty years, used his gun to shoot >> >rabid animals. >> > [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > Forgive me, it's been years since I read TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD....I > don't get the reference. Atticus Finch shot a rabid dog that was walking through the town. SignatureIrulan from the stars we come to the stars we return from now until the end of time >> >My dad has, I think three times in twenty years, used his gun to shoot >> >rabid animals. In all cases there was clearly something wrong with [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > >--Fil Aww, sorry. There's a point in the book where Scout is ashamed of her dad. She sees other kids' fathers *doing* things, and all Atticus seems to do is sit at a desk. After work, all he seems to do is read. Then one day a rabid dog comes up the street, and Scout watches open- mouthed as the sheriff hands his rifle to Atticus, who takes the dog down with one shot. Theresa Stinky Pictures: http://community.webshots.com/album/125591586JWEFwh My Blog: http://www.humanitas.blogspot.com Make Levees, Not War >I know we are very fortunate to live in a country where my cats are free to >roam, we live where there is hardly any traffic, gardens are large and there [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >someone shoots any cat who sets foot on her property. She says it's allowed >in the USA. Is it really? It certainly isn't here in the UK. As a rule, I'd say firing a gun within just about any city/town wouldn't be allowed. To me that's just common sense - at least until there's a "smart" bullet/pellet that knows where the property line ends. But, depending on where the poster lives, it might well be allowed ;=(( I say this remembering that until recently my current home state of Oklahoma still breeding fighting cocks - and IIRC blood sports are still legal in parts of the US. I hope I'm wrong about that last bit, but ISTR that as being part of the debate when the voters here were voting on outlawing breeding fighting chickens. To me it's a no brainer - raising/training any animal to fight to the death is animal cruelty. It REALLY surprised me how much debate there was over that initiative. SignatureSteve Touchstone, faithful servant of Sammy, Little Bit and Spot with loving memories of Rocky (RB) stouchst@JUNKsirinet.net [remove Junk for email] Home Page: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/index.html Cat Pix: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/animals.html > I say this remembering that until recently my current home state of > Oklahoma still breeding fighting cocks - and IIRC blood sports are [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > animal cruelty. It REALLY surprised me how much debate there was > over that initiative. I'm okay with hoomins choosing of their own free will to engage in bloody sports. (Not sure if "blood sports" is a technical, well-defined term.) I'm not okay with cock fighting, dog fighting, or any kind of animal fighting. I agree with you that it's cruel. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > I know what has happened. I was a complete cat newbie when I first posted, > looking to see how others more experienced treated their cats as I wanted to [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > The only thing both of them seem to care about is that they have two meals a > day and can curl up by the fire as required. I think you're very much right. Toys exist to stimulate cats by emulating things they'd do in the outdoors. Your cats have tons of feather toys (birds), scratching posts (trees), etc. Maybe kitty is scratching the furniture because it's harder, in her old age, to get outside and enjoy it. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca >> I've thought about it. Why aren't my cats interested in toys? Because >> if [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > Maybe kitty is scratching the furniture because it's harder, in her > old age, to get outside and enjoy it. You are probably right, Monique. She hates the winter now she is old and only nips outside very quickly for toilet duty. otherwise she spends most of her time snoozing in front of the fire. Apart from food time when she will briefly stir herself to examine what I've provided ;-) In the summer when it's warm, she's out most of the time claiming to be on rat duty. Mouse duty, most likely, I think her ratting days are over :-( Tweed P.S. I can catch dose small ratties, no way dose big grandad wuns wiv dem brown chisel teef, Boyfie. >> Maybe kitty is scratching the furniture because it's harder, in >> her old age, to get outside and enjoy it. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > she's out most of the time claiming to be on rat duty. Mouse > duty, most likely, I think her ratting days are over :-( Maybe you can try to find a log that isn't bug infested that you can bring in for her to scratch? Something simple, and maybe just lean it against something near the couch? SignatureCheryl > This one I've just got has the base and top covered with a fur > fabric, not carpet. [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > The only thing both of them seem to care about is that they have > two meals a day and can curl up by the fire as required. I agree Tweed. The toys and scratching posts and perches are mostly to keep indoor cats stimulated. I so wish my guys could go out. :( SignatureCheryl > >> Give it some time. Megan recommended a great (tall) scratching > >> post some time ago. When I told her that both Holly and Duffy [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > > Tweed They probably also prefer to sharpen their claws on the natural bark of trees! ;> Hugs, CatNipped >> Kitty FC sometimes scratches at the arm of my settee, the upright part, >> and she always gets her claws caught. This is not fun for either of us [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > > MaryL Sorry, Mary, this is the only post from you I can see in this thread, there doesn't seem to be a previous one giving advice? Tweed >>> Kitty FC sometimes scratches at the arm of my settee, the upright part, >>> and she always gets her claws caught. This is not fun for either of us [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > > Tweed My apologies! I wasn't very clear -- I meant that the statement to "give it some time" was the advice I followed. That's literally all it took. My cats have a selection of cat trees, and they use them all. I was disappointed when the new one arrived because they ignored it. Megan assured me that they would adapt to it if I just gave it some time, and she was right. They now love it, and my two cats are now "featured" playing on the cat tree on the Christmas cards I printed. (Yes, they play together on it in addition to using it as a scratching post. It is covered with woven sisal instead of the traditional sisal rope.) MaryL >>>> Kitty FC sometimes scratches at the arm of my settee, the upright part, >>>> and she always gets her claws caught. This is not fun for either of us [quoted text clipped - 36 lines] > > MaryL Firstly let me say thank you for the card. I am a big fan of Duffy, having had sight problems myself. His are far worse than mine, though, as he cannot see at all. Mine are just an inconvenience. I cannot go out at night, nor see inside a cupboard. The scratching post I have is the sisal rope kind. I'll give it a couple of months to see if they use it. Like I said earlier, they probably would rather use the trees. Tweed >Firstly let me say thank you for the card. I am a big fan of Duffy, having >had sight problems myself. His are far worse than mine, though, as he [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >months to see if they use it. Like I said earlier, they probably would >rather use the trees. Well, I guess another thing to consider is that some cats seem to like different scratching material (carpet, rope, rough wood, or the cardboard like in the turbo scratchers). Also, some like horizontal rather than verticle surfaces. Of my three, LB seems to prefer the vertical carpeted cat tree, Sammy horizontal rough wood, and Spotty the turbo scratch cardboard. They all use the vertical sisal rope posts, but I think that's more to leave their mark. When they want a vigorous scratching/stretch session Spot and Sammy both use horizontal while LB goes vertical. SignatureSteve Touchstone, faithful servant of Sammy, Little Bit and Spot with loving memories of Rocky (RB) stouchst@JUNKsirinet.net [remove Junk for email] Home Page: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/index.html Cat Pix: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/animals.html > Kitty FC sometimes scratches at the arm of my settee, the upright part, and > she always gets her claws caught. This is not fun for either of us when I [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Tweed Rub some catnip on it. MLB My boys have different scratching post specialties and neither will do sisal. Otis loves a carpeted scratching post and Chester *loves* the cardboard ones. Now *I* don't love the cardboard ones since they're so messy but he becomes delirious when he uses it and sends cardboard bits all over the place. I've read that not all cats like sisal - something also about the way that they can't get much vertical action on the horizontally wrapped rope. Good luck! Susan M Otis and Chester > Kitty FC sometimes scratches at the arm of my settee, the upright part, > and she always gets her claws caught. This is not fun for either of us [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Tweed >My boys have different scratching post specialties and neither will do >sisal. Otis loves a carpeted scratching post and Chester *loves* the >cardboard ones. Now *I* don't love the cardboard ones since they're so >messy but he becomes delirious when he uses it and sends cardboard bits all >over the place. Yep, when LB first moved in one of my early purchases was a turbo scratcher. I had the thing for years and, with the exception of Sammy batting the ball around on rare ocassions, it was ignored. Spotty moved in and the cardboard insert was toast - with bits of cardboard scattered all over the apartment. I think she's on the third insert since she moved in. >I've read that not all cats like sisal - something also about the way that >they can't get much vertical action on the horizontally wrapped rope. [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] >> >> Tweed SignatureSteve Touchstone, faithful servant of Sammy, Little Bit and Spot with loving memories of Rocky (RB) stouchst@JUNKsirinet.net [remove Junk for email] Home Page: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/index.html Cat Pix: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/animals.html >Kitty FC sometimes scratches at the arm of my settee, the upright part, and >she always gets her claws caught. This is not fun for either of us when I [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] >Kitty likes to scratch. I thought she would love it. >Totally ignored to date.. <sigh> Well, as others have already mentioned, somtimes it takes awhile for them to take to new things. My LB hates anything new or different - heck she even avoids sleeping on the bed for a few days if I flip the comforter over (it's made to be reversible, blue on one side and brown on the other). Back when I bought a cheap cat tree at WalMart (which was before Spotty joined us), neither Sammy nor LB showed much interest at first. IIRC, your two are like mine, not into 'nip, but I enticed them onto the tree to retrieve cat treats. LB still seldom climbs above the middle of the three platforms, but Sammy loves it now. When Spotty first came, she ignored it for the first couple weeks, but now she probably the most enthusiastic in playing on it. In fact I've heard her fall off a couple times - and actually seen her fall off one time when she was chasing in tail by dragging herself in circles around the pole. SignatureSteve Touchstone, faithful servant of Sammy, Little Bit and Spot with loving memories of Rocky (RB) stouchst@JUNKsirinet.net [remove Junk for email] Home Page: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/index.html Cat Pix: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/animals.html |
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