cats scratching carpets

Re: cats scratching carpets

BengalcatRVN — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 23:32:27 GMT

my boy cat loves the kongs scratcher! My female loves the carpet. :( Did have a big mama's scratch-o-rama mat for her, but the boy vomited on it and now she won't use it, even after cleaning it. Its def a learned behavour, partly because my boyfriend yells, she falls over and then he coo's at her. lol!

Re: cats scratching carpets

Doolally — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 20:36:16 GMT

Just a quick update, problem fixed :)

I was going to get a mat to try like suggested, but then I came across the Kong naturals scratcher, which is basically a bit of corrugated cardboard, I put it in front of the door where the carpet scratching is worst, and girlcat has gone mad ragging that ever since and has left the carpets alone...

She obviously just prefers to be a horizontal scratcher....worth recommending to clients along with stress reducing measures if clients are having problems

Re: cats scratching carpets

Doolally — Thu, 20 May 2010 20:48:34 GMT

oh just to add the girl cat is a complete picker, there's a spot in the bathroom where the paint is peeling a bit and she loves to pick at it!

Re: cats scratching carpets

Doolally — Thu, 20 May 2010 20:47:20 GMT

Thanks for the replies.

I've never seen them scratching at the carpets! Just I come home and there's bits of carpet over the floor where they've been picking at the edge of it round a door. I think it's the girl cat as it still happened when I took the boy cat into work, but obviously it could be both.

So no, they've never been 'rewarded' for scratching, a door has never been deliberately opened for them. Although if I do open one of the cupboards they run and jump in so I think they do associate behind the doors with fun places (likewise if i let them in the bedroom they open my wardrobe and jump in!!). No-ones ever played with a toy near the doors, and da bird is kept in a kitchen cupboard away from their thieving little mitts!

They use their scratching posts like mad, but I will try a mat.

I know being indoor cats they're more likely to exhibit stress behaviours, but I don't know if is. Now the weather's warmer the back door is open when i'm in and they're in and out all the time, girl cat just came in to scratch her post and has gone back out again lol.

I'll persevere with the feliway.

I've never cut their claws as just feel they'll just scratch to sharpen them again anyway...

Maybe I'll just stick some soft paws on them complete joke by the way i'd never do that!!!

Re: cats scratching carpets

Anonymous — Thu, 20 May 2010 11:50:34 GMT

Just out of curiosity have you or anyone in your home ever opened a door when they were scratching or pawing to get in? or played with a toy under the door?

Re: cats scratching carpets

Mrs Dot Dot — Thu, 20 May 2010 09:03:12 GMT

Definately recommend getting some door matts, made of coconut fibre... coir? and putting those in place... I've found most cats seem to love them instead of carpet

Re: cats scratching carpets

Claire Cameron — Thu, 20 May 2010 08:40:02 GMT

Taken from my bosses cat behaviour e-book

http://www.purrfectcatbehavior.com/cats_scratching.html

CAT’S PERSPECTIVE – totally natural behaviour!!

- can indicate an underlying issue / upset

Vertical and horizontal scratching of surfaces, especially those with raised textures. Cat scratching functions for many reasons. (if you are a cat)!

1. Claw Maintenance

Removal of the outer nail by scratching reveals the new sharper growing nail. Scratching outdoors generally occurs on trees, fence posts, sheds and wooden gates as they provide a perfect level of resistance to the action. Indoor cats still need to perform this natural behaviour and will find what they think is a suitable surface to scratch. Most common surfaces include soft woods, fabrics, textured wallpaper and carpet.

2. Habit/Pleasure

Scratching can become enjoyable due to the texture of the surface and can also be associated with excitement and play.

3 Boredom

Wallpaper scratching often follows on from a minor defect in the paper giving rise to a fun and rewarding game of paper removal. By giving your cat attention, albeit angry, this is still seen as a positive reward from your cat’s point of view.

4. Communication/Territorial Marking

Strategically scratching in important outdoor locations will indicate a cat’s presence both visually with the scratch marks and by smell from the scent gland between the cat's pads.

5. Security

When cats feel vulnerable, they will try to rub their own scent on prominent places in a room so that they feel more secure. If the cat is trying to increase its feeling of security, many surfaces may be scratched, particularly those in strategic places such as edges of chairs and areas nearest to doorways. Secretions of watery sweat from between the cat's pads leave a scent message on top of the physical marks, reassuring your cat of his own environment. Your cat can feel threatened even by the sight of another cat through a window.

THE SOLUTION

Please remember most importantly, your cat is not trying to be destructive! In an indoor situation your cat is either trying to display a natural behaviour or something is upsetting him and he is trying to cope. Punishment in both cases is counter productive.

Try spraying Feliway on the areas the cats are scratching.

Also a key point I ALWAYS point out to owners, your cats are obviously scratching in the area because that is where they want to use....so move your scratching post to nearby or the area they are scratching. So many of us, me included, put out scratching posts in a place where we want it not the cat.

Try using a different material scratching post, different heights?

I'd definitely recommend spraying Feliway on the areas they are scratching

Re: cats scratching carpets

SharonSP — Wed, 19 May 2010 21:17:20 GMT

[quote user="Doolally"]

They've got 2 scratching posts, one in the hall and one in the living room, with horizontal and vertical bits to scratch.

[/quote]

My cat would not touch the lovely EXPENSIVE scratching post that I bought for her, and ragged at my stairs carpet instead, however I purchased one of those outdoor doormats with the hardwearing bristle effect to it. It was obviously not aimed at the cat, but she abosutley loved it and scratched at it all the time. I brought the mat inside and left it in the living room. Problem solved, she would rake away at this mat as often as she liked and soon stopped using my carpets....worked for me....worth a try?

Re: cats scratching carpets

Sal the 1st — Wed, 19 May 2010 21:10:05 GMT

cant offer any answers but if you do get a solution i would be interested too!