Ok...I sprayed the furniture with "No Scratch," I've sprayed the
scratching post with catnip spray, I've put the double-sided sticky
tape on the chair.
She isn't repelled by the spray, and she actually goes AROUND the
sticky tape, finds a spot that's fabric, and scratches it!
All while her scratching post is sitting 3 inches away.
So someone here mentioned foil. Do you use strips of foil, or do you
just wrap the whole bottom section of the chair with it?
So far she's still confined to the sunroom until the scratching is
taken care of.
But she's using her litter box and her bed, so that's good.
Annie Wxill - 05 Dec 2003 02:07 GMT
...> She isn't repelled by the spray, and she actually goes AROUND the
> sticky tape, finds a spot that's fabric, and scratches it!
>
> All while her scratching post is sitting 3 inches away.
...
Is it possible to move the chair to another area until she gets to be
reliable with the scratching post?
Also, when she heads for the chair, go to the scratching post and make a lot
of noise scratching on it and call to her. It is likely that she will join
you.
Some cats are not affected by catnip. Our cats are not affected by the
spray, but a pinch of dried catnip leaves rubbed onto the post will get
their attention every time.
Feliway is a behavior modification spray that might work on your chair. It
will attract her to rub her face, but it is supposed to deter scratching.
You can try saying, no, and maybe she will stop. I do not recommend yelling,
just talking to her.
If the above suggestions don't work, try squirting her with water when she
begins to scratch on the chair.
If that doesn't work, you can rattle some coins in a can to take her
attention from the chair.
You might also get a book on clicker training. You could use it to
reinforce the behavior you want.
Annie
Karen - 05 Dec 2003 03:00 GMT
> ...> She isn't repelled by the spray, and she actually goes AROUND the
>> sticky tape, finds a spot that's fabric, and scratches it!
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
> reinforce the behavior you want.
> Annie
and remember, you've only been trying this for a day. It will take a bit of
time and consistant reinforcement to effect a change.
Karen
Annie Wxill - 05 Dec 2003 16:55 GMT
> in article bqop90$5g8$1@newsreader.mailgate.org, >
...> and remember, you've only been trying this for a day. It will take a
bit of
> time and consistant reinforcement to effect a change.
> Karen
Oh, yeah, we are assuming that the post is sturdy and tall enough for a
vigorous, stretchy scratching session.
Annie
Mary - 05 Dec 2003 05:01 GMT
.>
> So someone here mentioned foil. Do you use strips of foil, or do you
> just wrap the whole bottom section of the chair with it?.
I tear off squares about 8X10 and pin them to the furniture. One pin.
They kind of flap. One good point is that you would know immediately
if the cat scratched there. Mine have never disturbed the foil.
Good luck.
Wendy - 05 Dec 2003 12:09 GMT
Along with the foil and other suggestions try luring her to the post with a
treat.
Ok...I sprayed the furniture with "No Scratch," I've sprayed the
scratching post with catnip spray, I've put the double-sided sticky
tape on the chair.
She isn't repelled by the spray, and she actually goes AROUND the
sticky tape, finds a spot that's fabric, and scratches it!
All while her scratching post is sitting 3 inches away.
So someone here mentioned foil. Do you use strips of foil, or do you
just wrap the whole bottom section of the chair with it?
So far she's still confined to the sunroom until the scratching is
taken care of.
But she's using her litter box and her bed, so that's good.
Mary - 05 Dec 2003 17:20 GMT
>She isn't repelled by the spray, and she actually goes AROUND the
>sticky tape, finds a spot that's fabric, and scratches it!
I saran wrapped part of my couch for this reason. Also, don't let her near the
couch when you are not around. When she looks like she's about to scratch it,
gently pick her up and take her to her tree. Scratch the tree with her little
paws so she gets the idea. Then praise and reward he as she scratches. Here are
some more tips I've gathered.
1. Hopefully he likes catnip. If so, rub it all over the scratching post.
Scratch the post yourself, if he still doesn't use it, take his little paws and
scratch the post with them and tell him he's a good kitty. Remember to
associate positive things with acceptable clawing and negative things with
unacceptable clawing.
2. Try a scratching mat. Some prefer horizontal over vetical surfaces.
3. Try sisal, rug, cardboard, fabric... covered trees or mat. You can get cheap
thin door mats and staple gun them to a cat tree. Use canvas if he really likes
fabric. Be sure the stapes go vertical like this "|" and not horizontal like
this "--" so they don't get their claws stuck in there.
4. Put double sided tape where he likes to scratch. They won't like the
stickiness. They may then scratch a few inches over from the tape so be
prepared to add more. Keep no. 5 in mind when using the tape.
5. Don't let him in that room where he scratches when you're not around. When
you're around stand gaurd with a squirt gun and squirt him from a distance when
he scratches the furniture. If he's real persistent, put a little bit of
vinegar in the squirt gun. You can also yell "NO!" when he scratches there. I
also like to take him away from that area instantly and take him to the
scratchy tree, hold his paws and help him scratch while praising him. Make it a
fun experience, don't hold him forcefully or he'll fear the kitty tree. Make
everything associated with the kitty tree positive. I sometimes will put a
scratchy tree close to the furniture they are clawing so they have a nearby
alternative.
6. Put vinegar where he scratches. They don't like the smell.
7. Try some of that cat away spray.
8. Try a scat mat where he is scratching.
9. Get rid of fabric furniture with vertical fabric sides. Get THICK leather or
wood sofa and chairs.
10. Try soft paws.
11. Try trimming his claws every ten days. Some do once a week.
12. Whenever you see him clawing appropriately, praise and reward him lavishly.
Continue to praise him forever or he may get lazy.
13. Try Feliway to calm them down.
14. Make sure your cat tree is tall and heavy enough. Big kitties will topple a
small light one with a small base. I put weights on the bottom of mine. I get
the big ones. I also have a multi-tier cat tree they like to rip up.
Sharon Talbert - 05 Dec 2003 23:21 GMT
I find it helps to put the scratching post right in front of the favorite
spot on the sofa.
You can also buy scratching surfaces that non-invasively attach to the
corners of your sofa.
Good luck!
Alison - 06 Dec 2003 02:05 GMT
Hi Mitch ,
When a cat scratches , it leaves scent from the glands in it paws .
This is a way of marking territory and cats constantly reinforce the
scent. If any thing makes her anxious she will scratch more to
reassure her self This is why cats keep going back to the same spot
. You have to make sure that there is none of her scent left where
you don't want her to scratch and somehow get her scent on the
scratching post. I think shouting and spraying would make her
anxious. I found making a psst sound as a distraction very effective,
once you have her attention you could try dangling a piece of
stringing on the post in the hope she will catch the post with her
claws or if she doesn't mind being handled , press her paws gently on
the post . How many posts do you have , one might not be enough and
some cats also like to horizontal scratch .
Alison
> Ok...I sprayed the furniture with "No Scratch," I've sprayed the
> scratching post with catnip spray, I've put the double-sided sticky
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
> But she's using her litter box and her bed, so that's good.