Scratching in naughty places

Wickett might be crazy but for the most part he's a very good, well-behaved cat. When we first moved in here (rental) it took some time to teach him where he could and couldn't scratch but he learned quickly and very rarely clawed the furniture or carpet.

Well, about a month ago, we rearranged some furniture to fit in a new recliner and ever since he's been clawing everywhere he shouldn't be. I first noticed it because when we moved furniture we had an ottoman that got displaced. It now sits upright on it's side in a corner where I keep their kitty cubes and his cardboard scratchers. He started clawing on it... so, thinking he might want a vertical scratcher I got one. He hasn't touched it. Then we discovered two spots in the carpet where he's shredded it down to the backing. Usually he goes for corners so we put things (boxes, kitty condos etc) over the corner to keep him away. Well, one of the spots is against the wall in the middle of the hallway! The final straw was last night when I woke up to the sound of him scratching at a plastic bag hanging up with DH's suit in it!

I'm pretty sure it has to do with all the changes and there will only be more with the baby coming but this has to stop. I can't afford to replace carpet in another apartment when we move! I'm going to get the ottoman out of their "space" as soon as I can and in the mean time I'm going to get some feliaway or rescue remedy but he doesn't behave like he's upset or stressed. He's acting totally normal except for not clawing where he should. ANy other suggestions?!

Trim nails, buy soft soft paws and redirect him to an appropriate scratching area. If it's carpet he likes, give him his own carpet. My gut tells me that if he's able to destroy carpet that much, his nails are very long.

Leslie

Originally Posted by Jack31

Trim nails, buy soft soft paws and redirect him to an appropriate scratching area. If it's carpet he likes, give him his own carpet. My gut tells me that if he's able to destroy carpet that much, his nails are very long.

Leslie

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I just trimmed his nails last week but I admit I did let them get too long. He does have his own rugs to scratch on but I think because they aren't fixed he doesn't like them as much. No resistance if that makes sense. DH's suit is back in the closet where it belongs and I might try soft paws if it doesn't get any better in the next few weeks. Thanks!

When Lola started scratching DH's tall speakers, I went to Kmart and picked up a $10 carpeted post. She likes that much better and leaves the speakers alone now. Placement is key, her new post is directly in front of the speaker she was trying to shred.

You could try the double sided tape stuff too- Sticky Paws & similar products.

I have plenty of horizontal scratchers for Lola too. Turbo Scratchers, the double wide cardboard scratchers, and a cool one that looks like a wave--made of berber and sisal.

My cats had taken a liking to a particular wall in my house so I went and got several different types/lengths/sized/materials of scratchers and placed them all over....it worked they no longer scratch my walls good luck!