Ignorant or just plain bullheaded?

Hi!

My little Singa was always easy to 'train' where to scratch. I bought her this fish whcih lies on the floor and she can just stand on it and scratch (floor-type scratching). Now I noticed she like to stretch up when scratching so I bought her a scrathcing post.

As mentioned so often before I am currently catsitting her sister together with her at my bosses place. She now scratches everywhere, but not the fish or the post!!! Even if I take her there she will refuse to scratch where she is supposed to.. Her sister however only scratches the fish and the post.... (she learned it from Singa btw!!). Everythime i bring Singa to the post, her sister will come and proudly show that she knows what to do. But Singa just turns and goes somewhere else to scratch!
WHAT TO DO????


Another problem I have is that Singa's sister (Chica) is 'water-resistant'. When she goes climbin up in plants and i shoot her with the watergun, she will do it over and over again (at least singa knows to stay away after i spray her). what can u do when a cat doesn't mind being sprayed with water???


thanks!

That is a VERY good question! I don't know-!

How about rattling a tin of coins? The noise should scare them enough to make them stop whatever they're doing.

Originally Posted by Purity

How about rattling a tin of coins? The noise should scare them enough to make them stop whatever they're doing.

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hehe... I'll check that, but I have the feeling they are imune to water and loud sounds as they grew up on the streets th first 2 months of their lives
When I shatter my keys down, they will maybe turn their head, but that's about it...

No plan! But hey! It's my bosses cat so he'll have to deal with her

But what about my singa and the scratching???

I believe you can get sprays that encourage them to scratch in the right place, I'm sure someone here can give you the name of one to look for. How about covering the surface in foil, cats are supposed to dislike the feeling of it (although mine quite like it!). Double sided sticky tape? Have you tried ignoring her when she does it in other places and praising her when she uses the post? Cats hate to be ignored and it may give her the 'hint' she needs!

Sweety use to scratch on everything, but mostly on things that were plastic like milk crates! Obviously to get our attention. Then when I brought a thick wool area rug in the house, about 4x3, she started useing this only, ofcourse still to get our attention.....
I think something thick, canvas like, or a tight woven wool area rug, something you would put in an entrance area is worth a try. Ever think about trimming her front claws? I clip sweety's once a month and it does'nt hurt them, just takes the sharp, distructive tip off.

A friend of mine suggested the canned air stuff. My Billy is such a fraidy-cat that blowing hard on him works, but maybe the canned air will work on cats that are a little braver. Good luck!

Originally Posted by x-ta-Z

Everythime i bring Singa to the post, her sister will come and proudly show that she knows what to do. But Singa just turns and goes somewhere else to scratch!
WHAT TO DO????

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I have the same situation going on at my house. I am not sure if Henry is just slow or really stubborn, like you wonder! And his brother Jack does the same thing--he RUNS at top speed to a scratching post to show off whenever I try to get Henry to scratch appropriately (Henry's thing is scratching the carpet.) It's hysterical.

I've all but given up hope, though I still correct Henry whenever I see him scratching carpet--I trim his nails weekly so hopefully he won't do any damage to the carpet.

Cannned air is high pressurized and is used for cleaning electronics and photography equipment. I definitely would not recommend this, but have you tried a hair dryer? No chemicals then......

My vet had me try buying different textures for him to scratch on: cardboard, capet, sisal, etc. When that didn't make a difference, and none of the sprays worked on him, I tried double-stick tape and it was a miracle. I went to Walmart and bought a package of packing tape, and put loops of packing tape on the spots on the furniture that he liked to tear up, and he has slowly retreated to his scratching posts, mats, toys, etc! Spoiled Boy!

The loud rattling noise was an effective quick distraction too. I just put a dozen pennies or so in a diet coke can, taped it shut, and keep it sitting on the coffee table in the living room. Sometimes, seeing the can is deterent in and of itself!

Good Luck!

You need to be careful if you decide to correct your cat with a loud noise or a water gun. It is possible that they will begin to associate you the negative experience of being sprayed or scared by a loud noise.

Originally Posted by MusicTeacher

You need to be careful if you decide to correct your cat with a loud noise or a water gun. It is possible that they will begin to associate you the negative experience of being sprayed or scared by a loud noise.

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I agree.
The best way is their way. Discipline them the way an alpha cat does his constituents. They will listen and will learn.

Yipee! This morning she used the scratching post the first time! All by herself ) Tho she will also scratch on other things. Now I just gotta be up out of bed fast enought to praise her next time with a treat !