? for cat people

jaycee7389 · January 2012

Our cat keeps scratching the carpet in random places. She's not going to the bathroom there or anything..she just likes to annoy the fvck out of us. She has a scratching post and does use it, so what gives? Any ideas or suggestions to get her to stop?

dwest2201 · January 2012

I am highly allergic to cats. The only advice I have is to take them to a shelter (a no-kill shelter) or give them to a crazy cat loving relative, which is what I did.

Oh that wasn't helpful? Okay, I have heard that a water bottle can be used to spray cats when they are doing something you don't want them to do.

jaycee7389 · January 2012

Hahah no, definitely doesn't help. I'm considering the spray bottle thing..she's pissing me off to that point.

Elle1036 · January 2012

Cover the areas she scratches on with clear packing tape. It's not very visually appealing, but you don't have to keep it there permanently, just long enough for her to break the habit.

We used that when our cats were scratching the corner of our couch.

dwest2201 · January 2012

I guess the cat lovers have gone to bed. I know people who use that for things like the cat scratching furniture, as long as it's just water it won't hurt them...cats tend not to like water, so it should do the trick!

sparkles88 · January 2012

Is the texture of her scratching post the same as the carpet? Sometimes cat prefer certain textures over others, so she might be trying to say she likes the carpet texture more. If the scratching post isn't covered in carpet, you could always try a carpet covered post. If it is a carpet post, I would definitely suggest a spray bottle to teach her not to do that. Elle's suggestion was good, too. I've heard of many people using that method to stop a cat from scratching things it should not.

kaitlynmichelle · January 2012

When my cat used to do that, I would just try to distract him to get him to stop. I also tried the water spraying method, and that usually worked. I felt bad doing it though since I could tell he hated it. He eventually calmed down but our couch has never been the same.

I like Elle's idea!

becunning2 · January 2012

Elle's suggestion is a good one. In my experience, the water bottle doesn't break the habit so much as just deter it when I'm around. My cats KNOW they're not supposed to do certain things (like jumping on the turtle tank), but they still enjoy it. The packing tape is a good suggestion. I'd also recommend checking out your local pet store. They often have smelly-to-cats sprays that deter behavior if you put it where the problem behavior is... like, a cat isn't going to want to scratch up stinky spicy carpet. (I don't think people can smell it). I've never used'em, but I know they're there.

Swazzle · January 2012

My cats do this too, I think it just feels really good on their claws. I've tried to get them to stop but nothing works for me. I have really, really stubborn cats. They don't do it as often now that they're getting older (4ish).

QuiltingNurse · January 2012

My cats tend to do that when they need their nails cut or if they want attention. I would check his nails first to make sure they aren't too long and cut them if necessary. make sure he has toys to play with and isn't wanting attention/needing you to do something for him. Maybe try moving the scratching post to where he is doing that for a few days and then slowly move it back and hope he follows? Our vet told us cats don't like tin foil so maybe try to put that in the spot and he will avoid it, we've never used that on our cats but a friend put it on his counter because the cat was always jumping and it stopped him from doing it pretty quickly. Maybe a shaker with coins in it? They seem to hate that sound and stop whatever they are doing.

GoldenPenguin · January 2012

I was going to ask a cat question too. My cat is being a total pain in the ass lately. When I'm at work he climbs in the cupboards, he knocked a glass off the dishrack yesterday so I came home to that smashed all over the floor, he opens the closet door & goes in behind the hot water tank, where there is a hole in the wall... nothing I do can get him to behave. I put the vacuum cleaner outside the closet door (because he's terrified of it), but even that doesn't deter him. The water bottle trick does NOTHING. He knows he's been bad because as soon as I get home, he starts meowing like I'm murdering him. I'm sure everyone else in the apartment building thinks that I beat him on a regular basis, because of the absolutely insane noises he makes.

I know cats are nothing like dogs - you discipline dogs, and they learn, and they don't do things again (for the most part)... but cats, you can't do anything. They just do what they want... so am I just stuck with a naughty cat?

jaycee7389 · January 2012

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I'm going to try everything and hope it works!

Bri- My cats growing up did this. They would knock over ANY glass or cup just to watch it spill. Thankfully, our cat now doesn't do this at all. I'm not sure if a habit like that can be fixed because you aren't there to catch them in the act. Maybe other posters have better advice.

leia1979 · January 2012

Jaycee, is your cat actually using the carpet like a horizontal scratching post? Sometimes cats want a horizontal stretch while scratching rather than the vertical stretch with the post (though it could also be a texture difference). You could get her a horizontal scratching pad or her own little carpet remnant to use.

Bri, your cat is talented (and naughty). You might see if your local humane society has an animal behaviorist helpline. Mine used to have a free one (don't know if they still do). The behaviorist might have some ideas for you.

jaycee7389 · January 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_cat-people?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:aa3c812b-f9f7-41c9-acbd-1e4a574f960dPost:10cfdba6-7150-481e-8999-5b1272f3f13b">Re: ? for cat people</a>:
[QUOTE]Jaycee, is your cat actually using the carpet like a horizontal scratching post? <strong>Sometimes cats want a horizontal stretch while scratching rather than the vertical stretch with the post </strong>(though it could also be a texture difference). You could get her a horizontal scratching pad or her own little carpet remnant to use. Bri, your cat is talented (and naughty). You might see if your local humane society has an animal behaviorist helpline. Mine used to have a free one (don't know if they still do). The behaviorist might have some ideas for you.
Posted by leia1979[/QUOTE]

<div>You may be a genius, I never thought of that!</div>

Elle1036 · January 2012

Bri - What you're describing is a cat who is crazy-bored while you're not around. Does he have toys that are accessible while you're gone? If not, you may want to think about adding some more stimulation for him around the apartment. It doesn't have to be ridiculous or cost a lot of money. Tie a string to the back of chair so that it dangles at jump height, or leave a paper (please, not plastic) bag on the floor for him to explore and tear up. Despite their abilities to sleep for insane periods, cats get bored really easily.

Other than that, your best bet is prevention. Don't give him the opportunity to misbehave. Clear off your countertops. Put a child-safe lock on your closet door, etc. You're right in that cats really can't be disciplined, but you can manipulate their habits.

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