Scratching hopeless in adult cats

Soft Paws did work. I don't put them on anymore, because the only thing the
cats ever scratch now is the scratching post.


"Winnifred" wrote in message
oups.com...

123456789 wrote:
That's BS. I have 3 cats. They destroyed the old furniture I had in my
apartment.

After getting married and buying a house I swore I would not let the
stuff
in my new home turn to car. I got "Soft Paws" and a few scratching
posts.
Let them know I did not want then scratching the new furniture.

3 years later, I have the same furniture without a scratch on it.


"Winnifred" wrote in message
ups.com...
hate to be the bearer of bad news. just visited a specialist today. was
told in cats that have the habit of scratching furniture it is pretty
much impossible to change. the only way to have a cat who wont scratch
your funiture is to train as a kitten to scratch on post. once they are
adult and grown its too late to change. feramoans won't work. the only
other alternative is to put 'soft paws'(plastic covers you glue to each
individual cat claw) or de-clawing. with lasor it costs $400 a cat and
they remove the claw from the first knuckle which to me seems more like
mutalation. on the positive side the tin foil suggestion is working
100% so far in protecting my plants from being dug up. either the foil
is working or the cats are sick and tired of me whacking them on the
nose with a rolled up piece of newspaper when I come home.

so soft paws worked for you? did you have to have them on all the time?

TRY THE cardboard scratchers that are available at Petsmart - my
furniture manglers are doing well with this devine invention - it is
like a flat cardboard piece and you sprinkle the cat nip in it - takes
a little diligence at first...

They are wonderful- my cats wouldn't use an upright post but when I put
the cardboard one down- instant problem solved!!!! They didn't even
need to be shown how to use it

Lesley

Slave of the Fabulous Furballs

"Lesley" wrote in message
oups.com...


TRY THE cardboard scratchers that are available at Petsmart - my
furniture manglers are doing well with this devine invention - it is
like a flat cardboard piece and you sprinkle the cat nip in it - takes
a little diligence at first...

They are wonderful- my cats wouldn't use an upright post but when I put
the cardboard one down- instant problem solved!!!! They didn't even
need to be shown how to use it

Lesley

Slave of the Fabulous Furballs


If your cats like the cardboard scratchers, you might also want to try a
Turbo Scratcher. Duffy loves that one -- a large circle with a ball mounted
in the outer ring and a cardboard scratcher in the center. So, you have a
toy and scratcher in one device. They are available at many places,
including WalMart. You can see a picture he
http://www.thecatconnection.com/page...RTCH/PLAY-2602

Some comparison prices:
http://www.nextag.com/turbo-scratche...9F1A0E28C86529

MaryL

YES!

angel wrote:
123456789 wrote:
That's BS. I have 3 cats. They destroyed the old furniture I had in my
apartment.

I know it's not funny, but you make it sound funny

After getting married and buying a house I swore I would not let the stuff
in my new home turn to car. I got "Soft Paws" and a few scratching posts.
Let them know I did not want then scratching the new furniture.

3 years later, I have the same furniture without a scratch on it.


I don't think there is a cookie cutter for cat training
there are too many varied relationships going on here

some cats wouldn't dream of displeasing their owners, but for some it
is their daily delight.

In general when there is order in the home, I believe it is easier to
train a cat
when things tend to stay in disarray, I am certain our pets are aware
of it.

When you super clean the house and remove the clutter... and you
finally kick back and chill... notice how the cats also enjoy this same
feeling you do.

so, behavior problems are not exclusive to the cat, this is why I say
there is no cookie cutter or 100% 'proven method.

In solving a behavior problem, I think our first thought should be,
What is the message our pet is trying to convey..

before I dispense a discipline, I have to be convinced there is
willfullness in the cat against my wishes.

Scratching? Matt has the right idea... I also like the foil idea it's
very passive aggressive
they don't see it as correction, they just don't like it.

It's like spanking a child with a paddle, vs your hand, it's better to
use a paddle, this way you don't retract from your person through the
action, rather the paddle becomes disliked, not you or your hand (which
is associated with hugs and general doing and affection)

but can i be honest here...

if I had a stubborn cat who was over 5 or 6 and he was hard headed...

you don't wanna know, but i BET he wouldn't tear my furniture up
I would send him a very clear message. I wouldn't hurt him, I would
shock him

GODDA$%TT I SAID FU$#$%ING NO!!! CLAPPING MY HANDS, STOMPING MY FEET
RUNNING UP ON HIM.. MUTHER$%$%$CKER IM GOING TO CUT YOUR FU$%$%ING
TAIL OFF SO#$O#$#$BITCH...

and chase him down the hall, and rake him out from under the bed with a
broom...

the secret to training and this is the most important thing of all no
matter the method you chose... don't let them slide not even once...
every time you let them slide, You go back to start, do not pass go do
not collect $200.00

So, be consistent.

now if the cat respects you, and you respect him/her, you couple
respect with consistency, you got something then.