Cat Scratching.

[madcow]

I know its whats cats do but I am extremely upset with mine.

We have saved hard for a descent stair carpet which was laid last week. The fitter had not left 5 mins and Dora was gaily pulling at it. Upset is an understatement. I really told her off but this not has detoured her from doing it.

She does not use a scratch post. I am not nimble enough to squirt her with water. Please don't tell me I have to live with it! I cannot always get to her to put her out either.

[laura]

Is it just the new carpet she does it to or anywhere else in the house?

My stray cat has started scratching all the mats in the kitchen lately, hes never done that before.

[laura]

You could try a spray called citronella it has an unplesant odour to it that they dont like, or my best advice Double sided sticky tape on the carpet on the area where your cat scratches and her paws will get a bit sticky if they touch it and they dont like it. so give the sticky tape a go. hopefully your carpet will get left alone.

[madcow]

Thankyou for your help.
Dora scratches on the door mats mainly and on a tree trunk outside. There is not a particular step she does it too. Its also the whole landing area. I could cry sorry!

[ryanodell27]

Scratching is a normal part of cat behavior. Give your kitten lots of attention. If she don't use scratch post, provide her a scratching post and train her but don't allow your cat to play roughly if you want to discourage her scratching habit. You should try diverting her attention by providing cat toys that keep her amused. Toys like ping pong balls, a ball of silver paper, a feather, a toy mouse can keep her amused for hours.

[laura]

Our cats scratch carpet, sofa, mats everything. They do like the tree in the garden to claw at.I do try and stop them scratching my house to bits , you have to be quick to catch them doing it.