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Cat scratching

post #1 of 19
3/11/11 at 4:20pm
Thread Starter 
Ok I've posted here before about one of my cats non stop scratching. It's been going on for about 2 years, and I've never had a cat this destructive. He has dug holes in the carpet through the pad, destroyed doors and wood trim, etc. I've tried everything-Feliway, no scratch sprays, tin foil, double sided tape, scratching posts made of cardboard, sisal, carpet, etc, nail caps, I even bought a shock collar system that would start beeping when he got close to the places where he likes to scratch the most. I realize cats like to scratch. This is not normal. The cats have 3 large condos, spaced throughout the house, scratchers over every doorknob, and tons of interaction. I have no clue what to do now. Does prozac work on something like this?
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post #2 of 19
3/12/11 at 3:25pm
Is this Oscar?
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post #3 of 19
3/12/11 at 5:20pm
I know most on the site are anti-declawing, but if clawing stuff was the only issue, and the alternative was drugging up your cat for life (that can't be healthy), I'd opt for the declaw. With laser surgery to instantly cauterize blood vessels and nerve endings and surgical glue so no bad scar tissue or bandaging needed, its a lot better than it used to be. That way he can still mark all he wants, but it won't do damage.
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post #4 of 19
3/12/11 at 9:41pm
This could be a case of Feline Hyperesthesia - this type of self-destructive behavior can be a part of it. Here is a website to explain further:

http://www.cathealth.com/hyperesthesia.htm

I have a cat with feline hyperesthesia (she overgrooms); and, as they mention Alopecia, I have a cat that had Alopecia but now her hair is finally growing back. Stress is a BIG factor in both. Could be from past trauma, a move, new person in the household, etc.

Once I gave extra attention (I try to give equal) to the Alopecia girl, she stopped licking the hair of her hiney legs and tummy, it's really growing back (after we moved).

My Hyperesthesia girl grew up in trauma (a kill shelter) and continues to overgroom except when she's playing or sleeping. She does play a LOT, though. Yes, she has had double eye major surgery, has Seblepheron as well as seizures.

I'd definitely check out the above link for further information and links to other similar destructive behavior.

Creating as stress-free of an environment and speaking in low tones, never punishing (I use the "Tschhhhhh!!!!!" thing from Cesar Milan and that's it, they listen) and treat them as the kings and queens that they are (we are their servants, after all), all will be well. It may take time, but do read the link, I believe it will really help understand what's going on with your baby!!

Warmly,

Julie O'
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post #5 of 19
3/12/11 at 11:33pm
2 years with feliway and tons of interaction would lead me to believe that reducing stress/anxiety and giving attention has been exhausted. If I understand right, kitty isn't self-mutilating but scratching things around the house, which is normal, but there are cats that just go overboard. My concern w/ drugs is just that I can't imagine that cat brains would respond that much differently than humans to long term anti-anxiety/depression drugs. We know how harmful it is for people (google "neurological damage dependence SSRI"), and w/ the issue existing for a long time now, a short-term drug induced chemical change isn't likely to produce a long-term change.

Best of luck, you're a trooper to put up with destructive behavior so long.
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post #6 of 19
3/13/11 at 10:11am
You'd be surprised what extra love and attention and no punishment, ever, can do.

I adopted my "PTSD" girl (I also am with PTSD) and it took me 1.5 years for her to do almost a 180. She would hide the first 2 months, attack the other cats and with gentle, consistent love, care and training, always in low tones, she now sleeps next to me and purrs, she has made friends with 98% of the cats she once was attacking.

So, in sum - extra love, attention, patience, low tones and never punishing goes a very, very long ways and I believe it can for your baby, too. It is possible and very likely if consistent if you choose to take this road.

No being is truly hopeless or their chances "exhausted", ever. Just need to commit to the above and you'll see miracles.

I hope you'll give your baby a chance at this.

Warmly,

Julie O'
("Hopeless" isn't in my vocabulary anymore for very profound reasons)


Quote:
Originally Posted by Ducman69 View Post
2 years with feliway and tons of interaction would lead me to believe that reducing stress/anxiety and giving attention has been exhausted. If I understand right, kitty isn't self-mutilating but scratching things around the house, which is normal, but there are cats that just go overboard. My concern w/ drugs is just that I can't imagine that cat brains would respond that much differently than humans to long term anti-anxiety/depression drugs. We know how harmful it is for people (google "neurological damage dependence SSRI"), and w/ the issue existing for a long time now, a short-term drug induced chemical change isn't likely to produce a long-term change.

Best of luck, you're a trooper to put up with destructive behavior so long.
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post #7 of 19
3/13/11 at 10:52am
I would imagine love and patience would certainly help but if the kitty is totally destroying the house, can Kit E Cat really afford to spend months or even a year "loving" the cat to stop this behavior? Seems like the money and time has been put into distracting the cat and trying to discourage him.
I have to agree with Ducman69 man here. I am anti-declaw myself but if I had a cat that was digging holes right through the carpet and tearing apart the wood and nothing else worked, I would have to consider it. I would want to repair the damages right away but what would be the point if the behavior was going to continue for months or longer?

You could talk to your vet and see if medication may help (short-term). I suppose its worth a shot.

No matter what you choose, I hope you get this figured out! So you and your cat can be happy.
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post #8 of 19
3/13/11 at 11:53am
My humble opinion:

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, please do not declaw! After adopting one of my cats I discovered he was declawed and he has certain behavior issues and I believe this would give your baby even more issues.

You could get the "Soft Paws", wrap him in a towel and put them on one arm/leg at a time; you could give the cat a chance by covering him in the love and attention, soft tones and no punishment, ever, and, by the way, some cats respond quicker than others.

I am a total "No-Declaw" advocate. They don't just take the "claw", they take the first joint as well. So if this were done on a human, it would be the equivolent of removing the nail AND your entire first joint of each finger. It's a super painful procedure no matter which procedure they use. Just imagine it with your own first joints being removed.

Pads become very sensitive for litter purposes, they tend to become mouthy (biting) cats. My guy is so sweet in every way, although he does like to bite and he has a biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiig mouth!, and they also tend to be shy. My guy is so very shy. When his owners "gave him up to the kill shelter at 9 years old" they didn't mention he was declawed. If someone else had adopted him and let him go outside, he would be defenseless.

Cats are people, too!!


Warmly,

Julie O'
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post #9 of 19
3/13/11 at 12:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kit E Cat View Post
I've tried everything-Feliway, no scratch sprays, tin foil, double sided tape, scratching posts made of cardboard, sisal, carpet, etc, nail caps
Caps have been done. Seems like all the regular things that would be suggested by people here have been tried already. How many more things are there to try?
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post #10 of 19
3/13/11 at 12:27pm
Well, after trying everything, I'm wondering if your cat is feral at heart. I'm an "Indoor-Only" advocate, too, but with the ferals (true ferals) they are outdoor animals and need to be outdoors.

If you have any type of lawn (Congratulations if you still have a house, by the way! :o) , you could invest in one of those big outdoor lawn cat enclosure things with part of it being under cover for shelter, having the food and water out there. If it gets too cold, you could crate her indoors (in fact, if you have an area in the house, a friend of mine who has an F1 Bengel/Servil, (she used to breed Bengels and her husband is a cat judge everywhere - didn't ask how she got the F1 Servil).

They have this really nice huge enclosure in one part of the house where there is room to play, hide, you can put a piece of old furniture in there so she can have her fun, a couple bed places - make it up however you like. This could be the answer! I just thought of it. It's also on tile, so very easy to clean up. This would be a great thing for your beloved cat with anger issues (lol). I think theirs has 2 parts to it, making it extra long and the width is the same. So it's not like a small cage, this is a white huge enclosure, even on the top, where your cat can run, jump, play, tear whatever you put in there and have its own space as well.


Anyway, I think this is one suggestion that hasn't been offered yet, although I didn't read through all answers.

Warmly,

Julie O'
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post #11 of 19
3/14/11 at 4:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Naps With Cats View Post
Well, after trying everything, I'm wondering if your cat is feral at heart. I'm an "Indoor-Only" advocate, too, but with the ferals (true ferals) they are outdoor animals and need to be outdoors.
Well, I do not believe in indoor only cats and when I read this thread I was going to suggest letting the cat outside in an enclosure with lots of places to climb and scratch. I was also going to say I'd rather put the cat outside than declaw or drug it.
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post #12 of 19
3/14/11 at 5:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by yayi View Post
I was also going to say I'd rather put the cat outside than declaw or drug it.
I think it depends where the person lives. Some places are simply too dangerous to let a cat outside. Where my parents live, there is someone who dumps car oil on cats faces. (No one has been able to find who). Coyotes have also killed several people's pets. Others just do not want to risk disease or getting hit by a car.

Building an outside enclosure is actually a great idea, if the person has money and space to do so. So depending on the OP's living situation and personal views, it might not work for them to build one or let the cat outside.

Just trying to cover all bases.
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post #13 of 19
3/21/11 at 8:00am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by yayi View Post
Is this Oscar?
Nope, this is Little Kitty. Oscar never had a problem with scratching, he has a problem with living with other cats, but now that he lives in my bedroom he's an angel. I think there's a thread on him somewhere also.
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post #14 of 19
3/21/11 at 8:11am
Thread Starter 
I don't think it's an issue of him wanting outside. All my cats are indoors only, and I can stand there with an open door as i'm letting the dogs in an out, and he will sit there and look out, but makes no move to go out or even look like he wants to. And outside in my neighborhood isn't possible, at all. Loose dogs, speeding cars, etc. The cat is getting on my last nerve but I don't want to see him get hit by a car.
I am anti declaw. I've been fostering for about 9 years now and my rescue put a no declaw clause in their adoption contract specifically because I said I will not waste my time or help out if people are just going to turn around and declaw them. But, then again, I've had cats my whole life and never had an issue with clawing on inappropriate places.
I try to give him extra love and attention, but he just doesn't care. He's very aloof, not at all lovey or a lap cat. So i tried to just interact with him by playing with the laser pointer, etc. We've been doing that for about 6 months now, and while I know he enjoys it, it's had absolutely no positive affect on his destructive behavior. I really have no idea what to do. My house is a virtual haven for cats. My adopters compliment me on how the cats that come through my house are the most social, loving cats, and I think it's because they are exposed to everything...cats, dogs, people, sounds, etc. They're pretty much bomb proof when they leave me. I'm not a fan of rehoming wither but I'd rather rehome him to someone than declaw him. Or at least try it out. I have no idea. I'm lost
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post #15 of 19
3/21/11 at 8:15am
The thing with rehoming him would scare me because what if he's super destructive in their house as well and then they rehome again or have him put to sleep or even have him declawed themselves....

I really, honestly don't know what I would do.....I can imagine you're ready to pull your hair out.

Have you tried the liquid catnip on the places you want him to scratch?? I spray my cat trees/houses whatever you call them often and the cats love it!
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post #16 of 19
3/21/11 at 8:34am
Thread Starter 
yup, the spray catnip is a big hit in my house. It's not that he doesn't use the cat trees, he just ALSO uses the carpet and wood trim. I really just don't know what else to do, I feel like I really have exhausted everything. It's not one of those "oh my he put ONE scratch on my leather sofa, lets declaw him" kind of things. I have scratches on my leather sofa. No ones that are on purpose, just from them running across it, etc. I don't care about that. I have cats, scratches are inevitable. But he's deliberate. And He's been doing it for 2 years, despite everything I've tried.
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post #17 of 19
3/21/11 at 9:07am
Thank goodness you will not consider declawing. People who say they are "anti de-claw but in this case..." are NOT anti-declaw.

Anti-declaw means just that, no declaw, no exceptions.

It is quite possible that this is an anxiety issue and medication may be the answer. There is prozac or amitriptyline to consider.

Discuss this with your vet. I recommend blood work prior to any medication. A low dose of something may be just what this kitty needs to feel better and not feel the need to scratch and dig so desperately.

Often med therapy can turn into a short term thing, long enough to break the habit and train kitty into more productive pursuits. Then a gradual weaning of the meds to see what happens.

The meds are available for a reason. And in my opinion this is a cat who could benefit from a drug therapy.

And THANK YOU for not even considering having his toes amputated.

For anyone who may not know this is what is done in a declwaing:

http://www.declawing.com/htmls/declawing.htm

Quote:
Contrary to most people's understanding, declawing consists of amputating not just the claws, but the whole phalanx (up to the joint), including bones, ligaments, and tendons! To remove the claw, the bone, nerve, joint capsule, collateral ligaments, and the extensor and flexor tendons must all be amputated. Thus declawing is not a “simple”, single surgery but 10 separate, painful amputations of the third phalanx up to the last joint of each toe. A graphic comparison in human terms would be the cutting off of a person's finger at the last joint of each finger.
There is never any justification to do such a thing to a cat. Ever.
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post #18 of 19
3/21/11 at 9:11am
Thread Starter 
Prozac is the current happy pill in my house, since I have a cat on it already, and its been a life saver. I'll ask my vet what she thinks.
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post #19 of 19
3/21/11 at 10:23am
Personally, I would consult a cat behavior specialist, who may or may not be a vet. I would consider medication.

I would not consider re-homing, letting outside, nor declawing - for all the reasons, and more, that other posters have stated.

I hope you can figure it out. I'm sure it is very frustrating.

Robin
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