my 6 month old cat has started scratching my wallpaper, pretty much ruining my walls. The walls underneath wallpaper aren't in the best shape so wallpaper is a necessity in my bedroom. I have used spray that I purchased at petvalue that states spray every 24 hours and even though I use it every 6 hours, she still scratches. She has a huge cat tree (5 foot), separate scratching post, and I even tried putting aluminum foil up which she just bites and I don't want it to cut her or have her choke. I'm at my wits end. This is my first cat and my mom was against me getting her but I fell in love since day 1 and don't want to get rid of her over this. My mom recommended me getting her declawed but I know there are many cons to doing so. However, at this point it seems like it's my only option. Can anyone help me with some advice?
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NEED HELP IMMEDIATELY
- Thread starter mariawashere
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- Mar 12, 2014
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Declawing is an awful, cruel procedure. It's equal to cutting off the fingers of a human at the first knuckle. It's not painless or humane. There are definitely other options. Fist are products like SoftClaws (click the link) I've never tried them but I hear good things, plus you can get them in tons of fun colors. Next, places like PetSmart sell this double sided tape- like stuff that you can tape of walls or couches, it deters scratching without harming the stuff underneath. Third, you could get a catnip spray, or just sprinkle catnip, on her scratching areas to encourage her to go there. Another option is squirting with a spray bottle whenever she is scratching a wall. Some people think it's cruel, but better than declawing I say. Also, she is obviously into vertical scratching since she is scratching a wall, but you might try a scratcher that lays on the floor. Maybe she wants variety. Another idea, are all her scratchers carpet? She might be happier with one made from jute/sissal rope (that scratchy, tan-colored rope) or stiff cardboard. Hopefully some of that helped.
Please read this article before you consider declawing: http://www.thecatsite.com/a/why-cats-should-not-be-declawed
Declawing is a cruel and very painful procedure. Many vets are now refusing to do declawing for that very reason.
Trim your cat's nails so that if she does scratch, she isn't doing any damage.
http://www.wikihow.com/Trim-Your-Cat's-Nails
http://www.cat-world.com.au/how-to-trim-your-cats-claws
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/cat-behavior/trimming-your-cats-claws
http://blog.sfgate.com/pets/2008/10/21/alternatives-to-declawing/
Trim your cat's nails so that if she does scratch, she isn't doing any damage.
http://www.wikihow.com/Trim-Your-Cat's-Nails
http://www.cat-world.com.au/how-to-trim-your-cats-claws
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/cat-behavior/trimming-your-cats-claws
http://blog.sfgate.com/pets/2008/10/21/alternatives-to-declawing/
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Soft Paws: https://www.softpaws.com/
Is there a specific spot she tears at?
Ssscat Cat:
You can also try keeping her out of your room altogether, or at least whenever you're not around to supervise. We use a hissing sound to let our cats know when they're doing something inappropriate. It usually spooks them, and since cats identify this sound with other cats warning them, they tend to take off running knowing they did something bad.
If her cat tree and post are the same or similar scratching surface, vary it up. Corrugated cardboard is a big winner with most cats. Sisal rope, corrugated cardboard, and different lengths of carpets are the most popular surfaces available. Try offering a variety of angles too - some cats prefer vertical, some prefer horizontal, and some prefer slanted. If she likes the texture of your wallpaper, maybe the cardboard on a vertical surface will be something she'll prefer. You can rub treats or catnip on the appropriate scratching surfaces. Also, I second trying double sided tape on the wall so her paws get stuck whenever she tries to scratch.
If your cat sees you and associates getting sprayed with water with seeing you, it'll only teach her to be scared of you, or it'll teach her that the best time to scratch the walls is when you're not around so she may binge on wall scratching when you're not home and then pretend to "behave" when you're around.
Is there a specific spot she tears at?
Ssscat Cat:
You can also try keeping her out of your room altogether, or at least whenever you're not around to supervise. We use a hissing sound to let our cats know when they're doing something inappropriate. It usually spooks them, and since cats identify this sound with other cats warning them, they tend to take off running knowing they did something bad.
If her cat tree and post are the same or similar scratching surface, vary it up. Corrugated cardboard is a big winner with most cats. Sisal rope, corrugated cardboard, and different lengths of carpets are the most popular surfaces available. Try offering a variety of angles too - some cats prefer vertical, some prefer horizontal, and some prefer slanted. If she likes the texture of your wallpaper, maybe the cardboard on a vertical surface will be something she'll prefer. You can rub treats or catnip on the appropriate scratching surfaces. Also, I second trying double sided tape on the wall so her paws get stuck whenever she tries to scratch.
If your cat sees you and associates getting sprayed with water with seeing you, it'll only teach her to be scared of you, or it'll teach her that the best time to scratch the walls is when you're not around so she may binge on wall scratching when you're not home and then pretend to "behave" when you're around.
