Scrathing Post Question

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JamesJ - 09 Sep 2004 14:15 GMT

Hi all. I have a 11 week old kitten called Darwin. I adopted
him 3 week ago.
Every morning he tares around the house and
"attacks" his scratching post (which is good). All of a sudden this morning
I noticed he never used the post but attempted to use
the arms of my couch. Any reason why he would discontinue
using his scratching post? It was the first thing I introduced to
him when I brought him home.

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Sherry - 09 Sep 2004 14:24 GMT

>Hi all. I have a 11 week old kitten called Darwin. I adopted
>him 3 week ago.
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>using his scratching post? It was the first thing I introduced to
>him when I brought him home.

Has he maybe outgrown the scratching post? Is it tall enough that he can
completely stretch out, and stable enough that his weight won't tip it over?
Sherry

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Karen - 09 Sep 2004 14:34 GMT

> >Hi all. I have a 11 week old kitten called Darwin. I adopted
> >him 3 week ago.
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> completely stretch out, and stable enough that his weight won't tip it over?
> Sherry

Yeah, they really like tall and sturdy. I highly suggest, even though he is
a kitten, investing in a nice cat tree. PetCo seems to have a lot of
reasonably priced ones nowadays. I tell you what, if you bring in a cat tree
with cubby holes and stuff to a 14 week old kitten (wow, he must realllllly
be a cutie, thats' such a fun age) he will think he went to little kitty
heaven. Especially if you have a nice window to put it by.

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JamesJ - 09 Sep 2004 14:52 GMT

I haven't thought of that. The post is about knee high. He
probably got bored of it and yes it almost tipped over
one morning while he was using it.
I'll look into something more fun for him.
I'd rather not declaw him and he's getting much better
about not using his claws.

Thanks much
James

>> >Hi all. I have a 11 week old kitten called Darwin. I adopted
>> >him 3 week ago.
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
> be a cutie, thats' such a fun age) he will think he went to little kitty
> heaven. Especially if you have a nice window to put it by.

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Wendy - 09 Sep 2004 16:03 GMT

> I haven't thought of that. The post is about knee high. He
> probably got bored of it and yes it almost tipped over
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> Thanks much
> James

FYI Declawing isn't "just" removing the claws. It is an amputation of the
last bone (and attached claw) on the toe. Sort of like cutting off the end
of your finger at the last knuckle. It is serious surgery that will be very
painful for the cat and has many possible negative consequences and is
expensive. A good cat tree costs the same or less and has no .

Invest in a good cat tree. It is worth every penny. It should be large
enough to still be useful when your kitten grows up. If it tips or isn't
stable the cat won't use it and will be back at the couch.

Trim his claws. Start by playing with his paws for a while so he gets used
to your touching them. They sell small scissors in pet stores specifically
for this but a good sharp pair of regular people clippers will do. If you
look at the claw you will see the end is white and closer to the toe is
pink. Trim the white part of the claw.

W

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JamesJ - 09 Sep 2004 17:09 GMT

Believe me I'm very aware of the procedure.

James

>> I haven't thought of that. The post is about knee high. He
>> probably got bored of it and yes it almost tipped over
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
>
> W

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JamesJ - 09 Sep 2004 19:12 GMT

His first visit to the vet his claws where trimmed. I have no
problem with his claws he's using them sparingly even
when he's on my lap(he used to dig into my leg).
I should've said I have no intention of de-clawing him.
He's just going to have to get used to getting his nails trimmed.

Thanks for the info,
James

>> I haven't thought of that. The post is about knee high. He
>> probably got bored of it and yes it almost tipped over
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
>
> W

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Wendy - 09 Sep 2004 20:40 GMT

> I should've said I have no intention of de-clawing him.
> He's just going to have to get used to getting his nails trimmed.
>
> Thanks for the info,
> James

I'm glad to hear that. A lot of people don't seem to know what is involved
and the vets aren't telling them.

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JamesJ - 09 Sep 2004 22:37 GMT

Darwin is my 6th cat and I have gotten all declawed but this was before I
realized what was involved. Like you say it's an amputation.
I can say one thing 'bout my vet. I didn't ask him to clip his nails...
he did it free of charge. Maybe he's getting away from performing
the operation.

James

>> I should've said I have no intention of de-clawing him.
>> He's just going to have to get used to getting his nails trimmed.
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> I'm glad to hear that. A lot of people don't seem to know what is involved
> and the vets aren't telling them.

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Phil P. - 09 Sep 2004 15:13 GMT

> Hi all. I have a 11 week old kitten called Darwin. I adopted
> him 3 week ago.
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> using his scratching post? It was the first thing I introduced to
> him when I brought him home.

Here's a great article about scratching and scratching post types, placement
and requirements:

http://maxshouse.com/understanding_scratching.htm

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Karen - 09 Sep 2004 16:53 GMT

Here are some items cats love.

I got this for my mom's cats at Walmart for like 20 bucks:

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/kchuplis/detail?.dir=298a&.dnm=d244.jpg

My cats (3 adults, indoor, 1 bedroom apt.) love their trees (all purchased
at Petco none over 140.00)

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/kchuplis/detail?.dir=12ef&.dnm=9e20.jpg

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/kchuplis/detail?.dir=12ef&.dnm=dfac.jpg

You can see Sugar going at it here. Pearl REALLY claws these up. This one
was about 70 dollars.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/kchuplis/detail?.dir=12ef&.dnm=13db.jpg

Just some ideas.

> Hi all. I have a 11 week old kitten called Darwin. I adopted
> him 3 week ago.
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> using his scratching post? It was the first thing I introduced to
> him when I brought him home.

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JamesJ - 09 Sep 2004 17:11 GMT

Thanks to all for the suggestions, it is appreciated.

Thanks again,
James

> Here are some items cats love.
>
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
>> using his scratching post? It was the first thing I introduced to
>> him when I brought him home.

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Mary - 09 Sep 2004 20:05 GMT

The couch is bigger and heavier than the post. This way he can really attack it
and it won't move. I wedge my cat post under the side of the couch and put a
weight on the bottom so my cat can attack it all she likes. Don't let him
attack your couch. You need to stop the behavior now. Below are some tips.

1. Hopefully he likes catnip. If so, rub it all over the scratching post. 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. Scratch the post yourself in front of him. Remember
to associate positive things with acceptable clawing and negative things with
unacceptable clawing like the word "no."

2. Try a scratching mat. Some prefer horizontal over vetical surfaces.

3. Try sisal, rug, cardboard, fabric... covered trees or mat. Some even like
plain wood. 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. Don't get him in the face. 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 baggy
distressed leather or wood sofa and chairs.

10. Try soft paws. http://www.softpaws.com/

11. Try trimming his claws every ten days. Some trim 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, found in most pet stores.

14. Make sure your cat tree is tall and heavy enough. Big kitties will topple a
small light one with a small base then they may fear the tree. 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.

15. Try this product, a cat tree that attaches to the side of your couch.
http://www.birminghamind.com/Scratchaway/index.html

16. Try some "no mark" spray. It may keep them from spraying and/or scratching.

17. Put upside down floor runners pointy side up near where he is scratching.
This way he won't be able to stand close enough to scratch because it will be
uncomfortable on his feet.

18. Try an angled scratchy post or a scratchy teepee. Some prefer clawing at an
angle.

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JamesJ - 09 Sep 2004 22:40 GMT

I rubbed his paws on it first thing. When he "grabs" the end of
the couch and I catch him I simply clap and say no! and he stops.

Thanks for all the advice, It is appreciated,
James

> >Hi all. I have a 11 week old kitten called Darwin. I adopted
>>him 3 week ago.
[quoted text clipped - 99 lines]
> at an
> angle.

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