We had a new leather rocking chair that our cats loved to scratch. We tried the water, the scolding, and even aluminum foil around the base of it. All to no avail.
To "cure" our cats of the leather chair fetish, we put several coins in the bottom of an empty can. We placed it in a precarious spot on the top of the chair, so that when the kitties scratched, they knocked it over and the sound of the coins inside the noisy can (or coming out of the noisy can) was too loud for them.
After a few "unpleasant" trips to the chair, they associated it with too much noise and didn't want to go back. You can also set this up for when you are not home.
By Patti from Ewing, NJ
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You didn't say, but did you give them something that they could scratch on? Cats have an innate need to scratch. For one thing it's how they keep their nails filed down, Plus the scratching also satisfies other needs in their nature.
It's good that you were able to teach them to leave your chair alone, but you should also give them an alternative.
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I have two kittens that I have adopted recently. I had them neutered, but find it cruel to have them declawed. They are scratching up the carpets and ripping apart furniture chairs. I don't want to get them declawed, but what can I do about this problem?
By Joyce from Canada
My sister owns several cats and their front paws are all de-clawed and live indoors; no furniture issues or cat fights. BUT, I did see you can buy cat nail covers that slips over each claw, but as for them remaining on, I have no idea. If this interests you, do a google search and something should come up on the subject. Good luck. (03/31/2011)
By Myrna
There is a double stick tape that you can pick up at pet stores (we've gotten ours at Petsmart), and I think it is available in pet departments of superstores (Target and Wal-Mart). Here is a link to the manufacturer, so you can see what I'm talking about:
http://www.stickypaws.com/
Also, get them some alternative surfaces that are okay to scratch. Two of my cats like the upright sisal scratching posts, and one likes the corrugated cardboard kind that lies on the floor. If they have a favorite corner of furniture they like to scratch, use the tape AND place a scratching post right in front of the corner. Get more than one scratching post if necessary. It might disrupt the layout of your furniture, but eventually you might be able to gradually move the scratching post away.
I'm glad you were responsible to get your cats fixed, and you're not declawing them. Mine are all fixed, but have their claws, too! :-) Best of luck, let us know how it goes. (03/31/2011)
By Lisa
I also have two young kittens. I clip their nails, but one was clawing my couch to the point where I would find bits of fabric caught on his nails. I got some anti-scratch spray at the pet store that has been doing the trick. It's called "No Scratch" by Whisker City. The ingredients are clove oil, garlic oil, and sodium lauryl sulfate in a water and vegetable oil base if you want to try to make your own at home. You're supposed to spray daily for the first couple days, then as needed.
Now that I have ugly holes in the fabric on the corners of my couch, I'm thinking about putting carpet "bumpers" on the couch to cover them (of course then I'd be encouraging the cats to go back to the couch...)
I agree with mrs.story about making sure you have a scratching post and trying different surfaces. Mine has carpet, sisel rope, and wood - each cat seems to prefer something different. You might want to try a little catnip on the scratching post to make it more tempting too. (03/31/2011)
By Stephanie
Redirect the kittens to a scratching post and another that help with our kitten is a spray bottle of water. It's best to clip the kittens nails once a month. (04/01/2011)
By Kate
I've got 4 ideas for you. 1) Buy a cat repellent at the pet store. They usually let you exchange it if one brand doesn't work. 2) Attach double-sided tape to the furniture. 3) Scatter catnip around their scratching posts to make it attractive. 4) You could also squirt them on their behind to startle them and if they don't know it's from you, it's even better. This is totally a training issue and the habit will stop. Please don't declaw! (04/01/2011)
By Chantal
I was going to mention the cat claw covers too. They are soft and rubbery and are attached with a special glue (I think a super glue type) but I don't know how often they need to be replaced. I wouldn't suggest using them if the kitties go outdoors though because they won't be able to protect themselves very well. (04/01/2011)
By Deeli
I want to remind you that there is catnip spray to spray on cardboard, or wood covered with carpet remnants that will have the cat using what you want for them to claw on. Also regularly clipping the very tips off of their claws, while grooming can help if you have the calmness for it, I use a toenail clipper. Just the very top and they grow back very fast. I have heard a carpet remnant turned over is good with catnip spray also, or cardboard with catnip spray on it.
Declawing takes the whole knuckle off.. I have seen both kinds of cats, both declawed and not. Usually a vet wont declaw the back claws since these are the ones used for defense.
If the cat has no claws, then letting it outside would be dangerous. It could neither climb nor turn on its back and scratch an enemy.
(04/01/2011)
By Robyn Fed
