I recently divorced and began living with a new partner in her house. Following the passing of her sweet 20 y.o. kitty, we decided to "start a family of our own." First up was agreeing to take, on a trial basis, my 7 y.o. male Korat-looking kitty, Cooper, from my pre-divorce home. (The ex-wife was heartlessly going to ship him to the pound.) Knowing he had a furniture scratching history, the SO was very resistant to the idea; but I made a deal that if his scratching couldn't be controlled, he'd have to go. We took him in.
Now, it must be noted that the SO also recently bought a couple grand worth of brand new furniture. Recipe for disaster, right? Well, Cooper lived up to his billing. Despite me buying some nice carpeted cat furniture and building three more rope/carpet scratching posts (I'm pretty handy), he began working on the side chairs. This is not good, and SO says he has to go. Can't say I disagree (a deal's a deal); but I'm still trying everything to keep him.
So I'm down to a.) getting his claws trimmed every week or two and b.) trying those Soft Paws things. IIRC, we tried the Soft Paws once before without long term success; but if it's the difference between him staying or going, I'll go the extra mile.
So I'm looking for advice. Can an old cat with a furniture monkey on his back be retrained? Do the claw covers work? Anything else?
Now, it must be noted that the SO also recently bought a couple grand worth of brand new furniture. Recipe for disaster, right? Well, Cooper lived up to his billing. Despite me buying some nice carpeted cat furniture and building three more rope/carpet scratching posts (I'm pretty handy), he began working on the side chairs. This is not good, and SO says he has to go. Can't say I disagree (a deal's a deal); but I'm still trying everything to keep him.
So I'm down to a.) getting his claws trimmed every week or two and b.) trying those Soft Paws things. IIRC, we tried the Soft Paws once before without long term success; but if it's the difference between him staying or going, I'll go the extra mile.
So I'm looking for advice. Can an old cat with a furniture monkey on his back be retrained? Do the claw covers work? Anything else?