Bringing 2 cats together, new one uses carpet for scratching

I really need ideas - help - anything!

My mother died 2 weeks ago, leaving a sweet kitty about 8 years old. I plan to bring her home to live with me and my 10-year old female cat and my 11-yr old cockatiel. I need advice, please.

Problem 1: My 18-pound fat cat Chrissy is a "fraidy-cat" who does not like strangers. Although she has no front claws, she has deadly back claws and she does bite. My mother's cat Susie-Q is petite (maybe 3 lbs), sweet, loving, and "plays well with others." I know that I will need to keep them in separate rooms when I am not home, but I do want them to eventually learn to live together. I will probably have to separate them at night also, so as to avoid 2:00 am cat fights when I'm trying to sleep. :-) But what is the best way to bring them together?

Problem 2: Susie-Q is accustomed to spending much time outdoors, but will not be able to do that at my house. I've been leaving her in Mom's house and she seems to be ok with that - has now been trained to the litter box there. But the BIG problem is that she sharpens her claws on the carpet! Mom's carpet can handle it - no one can tell that Susie scratches there, but I have Berber carpet, which is not cat-friendly. Help! How can I train Susie to scratch somewhere else? (I will not consider having her de-clawed.) I'm afraid to even risk a weekend or a training period with her scratching the carpet because it will run so easily. By the way, she does not like catnip. At all.

TIA!

My condolences on the loss of your mother. I know that you must really be hurting right now -- my thoughts are with you. AND, Bless you for being willing to adopt your Mom's cat.

Please click here to read how to best introduce a new cat into your home. If you follow these directions the cats will probably tolerate each other just fine.

Regarding the carpet scratching. I would advise keeping Susie-Q's claws trimmed AND also bring home some of those cheap cardboard scratching pads and place them on the floor wherever you see her scratch. Most cats love those pads and will use them rather than the rug.

Good luck bringing home Susie-Q. And be aware that she too might go into mourning for the loss of her human caretaker. Cat's often become depressed when their humans pass away.

The cardboard scratcher is a good idea. It sounds like she is a "horizontal" scratcher, like a couple of mine. You could also try a carpet scratching post that is set up for horizontal scratching since she is used to carpet, and mine have a big-12 to 16 inch sisel (sp? you know, like twine or hay string ?) mouse with a braided tail. I put the rope that is supposed to hang it on the doorknob under the leg of a piece of heavy furniture (a cedar chest and put the nose of the mouse right up against the table leg, etc.) and they wear it out ! But I would just have the hot glue gun ready to fix your carpet; mine still get scolded about scratching on the carpet (and yes, they are the reason why I don't own a berber rug! )

Thanks for suggestions. I'm trying the horizontal cardboard scratcher now - so far, she ignores it because it has catnip in it. She absolutely does not like catnip. This is the 2nd tortoisehell cat I've had that hates catnip - I'm curious about that. My tuxedo cat loves it!

About the glue gun - I think you're right. I did some research and got some ideas about repairing berber carpet. Guess I may as well be prepared for that. Would be nice if the change in carpet texture would break her habit.
Maybe I should look for carpet remnant with same texture as Mom's and put it on the cardboard scratcher!

Love the ideas on introducing cats to each other. Will certainly try that.

Thanks also for condolences. Buried my Mom 2 weeks ago today; we buried my mother-in-law today. Been a hard month for this family!

Originally Posted by PSister

Maybe I should look for carpet remnant with same texture as Mom's and put it on the cardboard scratcher!

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Actually, this is an excellent idea! I have a friend who did this and it worked perfectly for her.

Also, keeping the cat's claws trimmed will help to keep them from getting snagged in the berber.

Buried my Mom 2 weeks ago today; we buried my mother-in-law today. Been a hard month for this family.

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OMG! That is so horrible. I feel so bad for you and your family!

Will remember your families in my prayers.