Cat Won't Stop Scratching Carpet

8xinfinity · Feb 1, 2014

My cat is now about 7 months old. He is a sweet boy, very lovey and attention-seeking, but he has formed a habit that is nothing short of a deal-breaker in terms of being able to stay in my home (I don't know if I would really get rid of him, but I am at the end of my rope). He has decided that the door to my bedroom MUST remain open for him at all times. It doesn't matter to him which side of the door he is on or which side I am on--all that matters is the door be open the second he wants it to be. If the door is closed, the second he decides he wants to even see the other side of the door, he scratches the carpet under and near the door. The carpet is now entirely ruined in my doorway, scratched down to wood. If he whines to be in the living room and I am stupid or frustrated enough to give in, he will be back, whining and scratching, two minutes later. If I open the door at this point, he runs away, and when I go back to what I was doing he'll come back again (I don't honestly know if he thinks this is a game - I don't find it fun, so I try not to play. Of course if I DON'T open the door, the scratching and meowing seems to have no end). I can and do keep the door open sometimes, but I have roommates and my room doubles as my office, so having the door open often enough for kitty's taste just isn't reasonable. I've tried multiple scratching posts and pads, but they don't matter because the scratching for him isn't the point - the door being open is the point. It's gotten to a point where EVERY night when I just want to relax a bit before bed (and would be happy to play with him or let him curl up in my lap) he gets hell-bent on destroying my sanity with hours of non-stop whining and claws-on-carpet (which is getting as irritating to hear as nails on a chalkboard at this point)

I have used special double-sided tape and I've tried blocking the area around the door, but he just scratches the carpet at the closest spot he can reach. He has been squirted with water, yelled at, had loud cans of change shaken - anything I can think of to get through to him that this isn't okay and to deter him from the behavior, but nothing is working. I spend lots of time playing with him, cuddling with him, etc, and if he wants more attention he knows he can get petted (and I might pull out the laser pen) just by coming over to me and he does that plenty. This is clearly about him just wanting to "roam" the apartment and convincing him to accept a reality where what he wants just isn't practical 24/7.

Interestingly, while he is somewhat interested in going outside, he doesn't freak out trying to leave the apartment, this is a purely inside-door problem.

I don't want my relationship with my cat to become defined by this behavior, but it seems the more my energy has to be focused on this the less I enjoy him being around at all - all I hear in my head is the sound of my deposits being shredded. In the last 2 1/2 years I have had roommates with a total of 3 cats move in and out of here without any damage at all, but now the biggest and most glaring damage done in the whole apartment is from this cat in the last few months.

Any advice from anyone with a carpet-shredder of their own that has managed to curb this behavior? I've had cats my whole life and maybe I've been lucky but this is a totally new problem for me.

betsygee · Feb 1, 2014

I have never tried these but another member posted in a thread that they use these to keep their cat from scratching up the carpet under their doors. Maybe this would work for you: http://www.carpetscratchstopper.com

Another trick is to spray something citrus-scented on the doors. I haven't had to try this either--luckily none of my cats are door scratchers--but my sister swears by it. She says she sprays the door and since the cats don't like the smell of citrus, they stay away from the door. I saw several websites that have recipes for making your own citrus repellent.

catman513 · Feb 1, 2014

Jack has full huge claws and scratches the carpet all the time. I am finally needing to replace the stair carpet to the basement. Total cost= $300 for 4 years of scratching. On the floor carpets, I clip off the loops he pulls out and I don't think you could find a single one of the 200 or so I have clipped out.

My point is that it is a small price to pay for the cat doing what cats are supposed to do.

Anne · Feb 1, 2014

Scratching is indeed a stress-relieving behavior. I think you did well to recognize the need as related to the area and to keeping the door open rather than to actual sharpening of claws.

Squirting water or other ways or scaring him would be ineffective, as you've seen for yourself. It probably only adds to his stress level and confusion, leading to an even stronger need to scratch.

How about this - provide him with a stable scratching post, preferably with a horizontal scratching surface, and place it near the door, where he usually scratches. Only when you have such a post ready, only then, block his access to the carpet by covering it with something. It'll look ugly for a while, but the idea isn't to keep the cover forever, just until you're sure the scratching has been permanently redirected to the scratching post. First, you need to see if this is working, but if it does, I would keep the setup like this for 2-3 weeks.

There's more ideas and tips on how to get the scratching post right, and also how to redirect the cat in this article. Check out the infographic at the bottom for a recap too -

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/problem-scratching-and-how-to-stop-it

8xinfinity · Feb 6, 2014

So tired... I've been awake since 6 with this animal clawing the ground. He has 3 different types of scratchers (one that is flat on the floor, one that swings and hangs from the door, and one solid post), but he hates them all and completely ignores them 99% of the time. He has toys that he plays with, but he ignores them for hours at a time to rip my carpet from the ground. I am going insane, I can't get more than a few hours of sleep at a time and I'm on edge, always alert to the sound of flooring being destroyed. I am starting to dislike just seeing him because this is so constant with no end in sight. I've had cats my whole life, including one that was crazy for chewing on my glasses, and this is by far the most persistent animal I have ever owned. If he just wanted to be in different rooms it would be fine, but if I get out of bed and let him into the living rooms things get SO much worse because he still claws the carpet, he just has the advantage for getting away when he's caught.

I can't and won't sleep every night with my door wide open, it won't happen, but I just don't know what else to do. The worst part is now whenever I manage to cover the carpet with something, he spends some time moving the obstacle or, and this just kills me, HE CLAWS THE CARPET NEXT TO THE BLOCK!! I am tempted to get one, but I think I'll waste money with the scratch stoppers posted here because they would only work for the main spot, but would do nothing the moment he decides to rip the floor up right NEXT to the protector and I can already say that is just what he would do. I can already imagine him trying to push it up off the floor and getting his evil little paws under it and ripping whatever he can reach.

He is also now crazy about chewing on my paperwork. Dozens of different toys to play with, but he will take corners off files and shred documents.

I'm just so tired. It feels like I haven't had a full night's sleep in weeks. if there was something I wasn't doing for him, something he needed, I would fulfill his wish, but I can't read his fuzzy little mind.

betsygee · Feb 6, 2014

How about taking him to the vet to see about a low dose of kitty Prozac or something like that to take the edge off?

di and bob · Feb 6, 2014

He's in his teenager stage so no wonder he's a 'pain'! Have you tried the corrugated cardboard scratchers? These are the ONLY ones my cats will use and it's the only thing that has saved my furniture and carpets. You may have to confine him to a small room at night (make it safe!) like a bathroom. With an litter box, a bed, food, and toys. I hate to suggest this, but you definitely need some sleep!

betsygee · Feb 6, 2014

Di and Bob said:
He's in his teenager stage so no wonder he's a 'pain'! Have you tried the corrugated cardboard scratchers? These are the ONLY ones my cats will use and it's the only thing that has saved my furniture and carpets. You may have to confine him to a small room at night (make it safe!) like a bathroom. With an litter box, a bed, food, and toys. I hate to suggest this, but you definitely need some sleep!

That's a good idea! I have an older but still hyper cat and she LOVES those cardboard scratchers!

snugglecat · Feb 6, 2014

I don't have any advice but wanted to let you know I completely understand being so frustrated with a cat destroying carpet. My cat has done a lot of damage to the carpet all through my place and I live in a rental. I have spent a lot of money in the last 6 years trying to get her to stop scratching the rug. She also will scratch the carpet in front of the scratching post or pieces of carpet I have put down for her. I am lucky with living here because I have lived here 12 years and when I move it will be considered normal wear and tear on the carpet, I hope. I just don't know what I will do when I have to move to another place and I am very worried about that. The place I am living in is up for sell and all I can think about is my next place might not let me keep Peaches because of the damage she would do.

I hope you are able to find a solution and if you do I would love to hear what worked for you. I do not and won't give up Peaches because of this problem.

8xinfinity · Feb 7, 2014

I decided my plan of attack needed to be a bit bigger. I covered the carpet not just several inches around the door, but a few feet in either direction with a large sheet (my first try of a large towel proved not big enough and too carpet-like for kitty to resist). I got some lightweight but large items and lined them up against the door to remove any temptation to stick a paw under there and defiantly planted his scratching post like a flag in the center of the sheeted area. About a third of the room has the floor covered, but it might finally be far enough from the door for him to stop thinking he can scratch under it (or whatever plan has been rattling in his brain).

He tried burrowing under a loose sheet corner, but couldn't then move the blocking items and got too confused with the sheet around him to focus his carpet-rage. I secured the spot a bit better, but either way he's shown less interest in trying to get under it. It seemed to work for the night and so far this morning. When I was getting ready for the day he asked to go into the living room and I let him and when I closed the door to keep getting dressed he TRIED to do his normal thing of attacking the floor from the other side, but the sheet blocked him and he just cried for a bit. The crying is annoying, but a far greater alternative to having the floor ruined. I also put a laser pointer near the door so that if I get tired of his "cry/scratch and then run away" routine, I can easily "persuade" him into the correct room.

I think I am going to keep the area around the door fully covered with a sheet or drop cloth until whatever phase he is in passes. At the very least, a sheet is far simpler to replace than the carpet.

luvmy2cats · Feb 7, 2014

Hootie used to sharper her claws on the carpet in the hallway. It got to the point where bits of carpet were coming out. My husband got a cat tower with a carpet like covering on it and now both Sissy and Hooite use that. I hope you find a solution that works for you.

rolee · Dec 20, 2015

Black Pepper-

I was in Turkey about to buy an expensive Turkish rug, but had misgivings given that I have 2 cats that sometimes scratch the carpets. The store owner told me to sprinkle the rug with black pepper and the cats will not scratch it. So I trusted him and bought the rug. When I got it home, I immediately sprinkled it with black pepper. It has been 2 years and the cats have never scratched the rug. The pepper does not seem to bother them since they lay on rug, roll around on it and sleep on it...they just don't scratch it. I reapply the pepper after vacuuming and have since started putting it on other rugs that the cats used to scratch. I am happy to say they no longer scratch any of the rugs or carpets. Of course I provide them with several acceptable scratching posts and objects.

Trty black pepper...it's such a simple solution.

hogue8374 · Nov 17, 2016

Hi,
I know this thread is a few years old but I am hoping someone still comes across it. I need help with this same issue. My cat is about 14 months old, neutered, and generally very people oriented and happy. Since he was about 3 months old, like clockwork he meows as loud as he can at 5:45 am. Recently, about 3 weeks ago, I began letting him go outside. Shortly after, he began clawing the carpet to go out, along with the meowing. He is literally demanding to go outside. I have used a spray bottle since he was little to keep him from scratching furniture, and from going into certain spots that wouldn't be safe, like under a recliner. He has always responded very well to the spray bottle but it is not detering him from destroying the carpet. I have a stand with 3 levels next to the door and he spends a good amount of time playing, scratching, climbing, and sleeping on it so I know that the act of scratching is not the reason behind his destruction. I trim his nails on a regular basis but it doesnt help and his persistence is driving me crazy. It is 7 am right now and have been dealing with him clawing and meowing since 545. I feel that if I give in and just let him out, I will be rewarding bad behavior. Please, if you have any successful remedies, help.

basscat · Nov 17, 2016

If your cat won't stop scratching the carpet, it's because he's simply not discovered the furniture.
Getting up at 5:00am and letting him out every morning sure gets old, FAST. BUT, if you are letting him out every morning, that means he hangs around and comes back in later. A small pet door cures that problem.

jahzara · Nov 17, 2016

Double sided sticky tape worked to stop my cats from banging on my bedroom door and clawing at the carpet.

catman513 · Nov 18, 2016

Get an automatic kibble feeder, put it on a timer for a 7:00am feeding. Or, better yet for a 6:00am feeding and also a 7:00am feeding.

After a few weeks you will find him sitting in frront of the feeder at 7:00am waiting for the kibbles.

hogue8374 · Jan 7, 2017

BassCat said:
If your cat won't stop scratching the carpet, it's because he's simply not discovered the furniture.

Getting up at 5:00am and letting him out every morning sure gets old, FAST. BUT, if you are letting him out every morning, that means he hangs around and comes back in later. A small pet door cures that problem.

He has no interest in clawing furniture, thank goodness. The only issue is he literally demands to be let outside. I have 2 males, both are fixed. My other male who will go outside but never demands it recently got hurt outside and had to be taken to the vet after a bite on his leg, so from now on they are both completely indoor. They have both been indoor only cats since I have gotten them. The one who demands to be let out has only been allowed to go out the past few months. I seriously do not know what to do to get him to stop. I have a spray bottle that as soon as I reach for it he gets away from the door, so he knows that his behavior is not acceptable. Going batty over a bossy teenage cat!

melssa · Apr 10, 2017

8xInfinity said:
My cat is now about 7 months old. He is a sweet boy, very lovey and attention-seeking, but he has formed a habit that is nothing short of a deal-breaker in terms of being able to stay in my home (I don't know if I would really get rid of him, but I am at the end of my rope). He has decided that the door to my bedroom MUST remain open for him at all times. It doesn't matter to him which side of the door he is on or which side I am on--all that matters is the door be open the second he wants it to be. If the door is closed, the second he decides he wants to even see the other side of the door, he scratches the carpet under and near the door. The carpet is now entirely ruined in my doorway, scratched down to wood. If he whines to be in the living room and I am stupid or frustrated enough to give in, he will be back, whining and scratching, two minutes later. If I open the door at this point, he runs away, and when I go back to what I was doing he'll come back again (I don't honestly know if he thinks this is a game - I don't find it fun, so I try not to play. Of course if I DON'T open the door, the scratching and meowing seems to have no end). I can and do keep the door open sometimes, but I have roommates and my room doubles as my office, so having the door open often enough for kitty's taste just isn't reasonable. I've tried multiple scratching posts and pads, but they don't matter because the scratching for him isn't the point - the door being open is the point. It's gotten to a point where EVERY night when I just want to relax a bit before bed (and would be happy to play with him or let him curl up in my lap) he gets hell-bent on destroying my sanity with hours of non-stop whining and claws-on-carpet (which is getting as irritating to hear as nails on a chalkboard at this point)

I have used special double-sided tape and I've tried blocking the area around the door, but he just scratches the carpet at the closest spot he can reach. He has been squirted with water, yelled at, had loud cans of change shaken - anything I can think of to get through to him that this isn't okay and to deter him from the behavior, but nothing is working. I spend lots of time playing with him, cuddling with him, etc, and if he wants more attention he knows he can get petted (and I might pull out the laser pen) just by coming over to me and he does that plenty. This is clearly about him just wanting to "roam" the apartment and convincing him to accept a reality where what he wants just isn't practical 24/7.

Interestingly, while he is somewhat interested in going outside, he doesn't freak out trying to leave the apartment, this is a purely inside-door problem.

I don't want my relationship with my cat to become defined by this behavior, but it seems the more my energy has to be focused on this the less I enjoy him being around at all - all I hear in my head is the sound of my deposits being shredded. In the last 2 1/2 years I have had roommates with a total of 3 cats move in and out of here without any damage at all, but now the biggest and most glaring damage done in the whole apartment is from this cat in the last few months.

Any advice from anyone with a carpet-shredder of their own that has managed to curb this behavior? I've had cats my whole life and maybe I've been lucky but this is a totally new problem for me.

hogue8374 said:
Hi,
I know this thread is a few years old but I am hoping someone still comes across it. I need help with this same issue. My cat is about 14 months old, neutered, and generally very people oriented and happy. Since he was about 3 months old, like clockwork he meows as loud as he can at 5:45 am. Recently, about 3 weeks ago, I began letting him go outside. Shortly after, he began clawing the carpet to go out, along with the meowing. He is literally demanding to go outside. I have used a spray bottle since he was little to keep him from scratching furniture, and from going into certain spots that wouldn't be safe, like under a recliner. He has always responded very well to the spray bottle but it is not detering him from destroying the carpet. I have a stand with 3 levels next to the door and he spends a good amount of time playing, scratching, climbing, and sleeping on it so I know that the act of scratching is not the reason behind his destruction. I trim his nails on a regular basis but it doesnt help and his persistence is driving me crazy. It is 7 am right now and have been dealing with him clawing and meowing since 545. I feel that if I give in and just let him out, I will be rewarding bad behavior. Please, if you have any successful remedies, help.

Use Purdy paws buy on Amazon. Let vet put on .

Cat Won't Stop Scratching Carpet

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Just what part of meow don't you understand.

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Just what part of meow don't you understand.

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Just what part of meow don't you understand.

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