There is a spray you can get at the pet store that you can put in certain
areas they can't stand the smell.

Try a heavy rubber designer mat or heavy carpet throw with a rubber backing
to hold it in place

Is there a scratch board for the cat if so is it new  and if the cat won't
touch it pick the cat up set it up on the board take the paws and scratch
the post  and put some catnip on the board for more enticement

What do you think that is holding the new carpet down a few micro holes from
staples or carpet tacks will not show up unless you rip the carpet

scratching post; buy one or make it yourself with the extra pieces since
the cat likes the carpet so much.  Catnip on the post for a few days if
she doesn't pick up on it right away.

pat

NO cat should be declawed. That is very inhumane imagine your
fingernails getting pulled out to keep you from picking your nose :)

Anyway to answer your question.
What has worked for me is to get a scratching post and get cat nip
spray  and train him/her to come to the post and scratch that. It has
worked for me thats all my cat scratches.
Also another great product (however can be hard to use) is soft paws
here's the link
http://www.safepetproducts.com/pilot.asp?pg=softpaws_info&GCID=S16049x006&KEYWOR
D=declawing+alternatives

Another thing that attributes to cat scratching is the cat may be doing
it for attention are you giving him/her enough attention other then
pulling your hair out because he/she is ruining your rug?

Good luck and please don't ever declaw a cat.

buy an area rug it's your cat's house too.  Or
scratching post, or i don't know the others will
explain.

Scratching post and / or scrastching pads ??

http://members.aol.com/larrystark/

http://members.aol.com/larrystark/strays.htm