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#1
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HELP--my cat is destroying my carpet!
Hi all,
My cat is about 2 1/2 years, and in the last couple of months he's started to claw and chew on the carpeted stairs. He mainly goes after the top stair, and since we have a split-level house that's 3 stairs in all that he is absolutely hell-bent on destroying. He's constantly clawing (as if it's a scratching post--yes, he has one of those, right next to the stairs!) and "playing" with the stairs, and even biting on them. Unfortunately this is a rental house, so we cannot just rip out the carpet and replace with hardwood (which would be our choice, if the choice were ours to make). Over the last couple of weeks this behavior has gotten WORSE--we're actually going to have to hire someone to come and repair the carpet as best as possible, but we're also worried about this behavior continuing. Can anybody make some suggestions? I've tried spraying the bitter apple stuff on the stairs, and it doesn't stop him--I've also tried the stuff that you're supposed to spray on the furniture to keep cats off of it, and that didn't do any good either--in fact I think it made him claw and chew even more than before. We're just about to take him to have him de- clawed, but would like to avoid that if possible because we know that's pretty cruel, and he likes to go outside...plus de-clawing will not necessarily stop the chewing (although I have a feeling that if he cannot "hug" the stair with all his claws, then he'll be less inclined to chew on it). Has anybody had any success getting a cat to stop clawing/chewing, especially after they SHOULD have already outgrown such behavior? TIA- avsfan |
#2
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HELP--my cat is destroying my carpet!
"Peg" wrote in message oups.com... Hi all, My cat is about 2 1/2 years, and in the last couple of months he's started to claw and chew on the carpeted stairs. Has it never occurred to you to clip his claws? Jesus. |
#3
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HELP--my cat is destroying my carpet!
on Sun, 04 Feb 2007 01:35:38 GMT, "cybercat" wrote:
Has it never occurred to you to clip his claws? Exactly. Keep them trimmed short and he won't be able to do so much damage. You could also cover the carpet with a stair runner, made of either vinyl or carpet. Staple it to the floor and remove it when you move. You could also try using a scat mat, or shaking a can of coins at the cat when he does this. You have a whole host of options available to you, and none of them involve mutilating your cat. -- Lynne |
#4
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HELP--my cat is destroying my carpet!
On Feb 3, 5:25 pm, "Peg" wrote:
(as if it's a scratching post--yes, he has one of those, right next to the stairs!) and "playing" with the stairs, and even biting on them. Move the scratching post away from the stairs, spray/coat the scratching post with catnip to attract him to it. I agree, cover the steps with vinyl runner or even those sticky tapes for awhile to deter him from scratching here. and he likes to go outside Please dont .. keep him inside unless you tend to him on a leash outside. Cats in our part of CA get eaten as a snack by the coyotes or racoons (and we arent in the 'country' either but in a city area). Heartbreaking to see posters for 'lost' dogs and cats when you know they arent 'lost' but eaten. joanne |
#5
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HELP--my cat is destroying my carpet!
On Feb 3, 6:35 pm, "cybercat" wrote:
"Peg" wrote in message oups.com... Hi all, My cat is about 2 1/2 years, and in the last couple of months he's started to claw and chew on the carpeted stairs. Has it never occurred to you to clip his claws? Jesus. Name's not "Jesus" but thanks anyways. Especially for being so helpful yet not sarcastic or rude at all. Very enlightening. Much appreciated. avsfan |
#6
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HELP--my cat is destroying my carpet!
On Feb 3, 6:35 pm, "cybercat" wrote:
"Peg" wrote in message oups.com... Hi all, My cat is about 2 1/2 years, and in the last couple of months he's started to claw and chew on the carpeted stairs. Has it never occurred to you to clip his claws? Jesus. BTW--since you seem to be so knowledgeable and polite--how exactly will trimming his claws stop him from chewing on the carpet? Should I trim his teeth as well? avsfan |
#7
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HELP--my cat is destroying my carpet!
On Feb 3, 6:45 pm, Lynne wrote:
on Sun, 04 Feb 2007 01:35:38 GMT, "cybercat" wrote: Has it never occurred to you to clip his claws? Exactly. Keep them trimmed short and he won't be able to do so much damage. You could also cover the carpet with a stair runner, made of either vinyl or carpet. Staple it to the floor and remove it when you move. You could also try using a scat mat, or shaking a can of coins at the cat when he does this. You have a whole host of options available to you, and none of them involve mutilating your cat. -- Lynne Well, yes, I'm actually looking for the "whole host of options" here. So far I've read "trim his claws" (will not keep him from chewing on the carpet); shake a can of coins at him during behavior (have tried this approach, but cannot watch him every second of every day); and cover carpet with a stair runner--this is perhaps the best option presented yet. As for the rest of the "host" of options??? avsfan |
#8
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HELP--my cat is destroying my carpet!
"Peg" wrote Name's not "Jesus" but thanks anyways. Especially for being so helpful yet not sarcastic or rude at all. Very enlightening. Much appreciated. Well, GD, you are talking about having the last joints of her digits hacked off, and you have not even bothered to try clipping her claws?? Why? |
#9
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HELP--my cat is destroying my carpet!
"Peg" wrote in message oups.com... On Feb 3, 6:45 pm, Lynne wrote: on Sun, 04 Feb 2007 01:35:38 GMT, "cybercat" wrote: Has it never occurred to you to clip his claws? Exactly. Keep them trimmed short and he won't be able to do so much damage. You could also cover the carpet with a stair runner, made of either vinyl or carpet. Staple it to the floor and remove it when you move. You could also try using a scat mat, or shaking a can of coins at the cat when he does this. You have a whole host of options available to you, and none of them involve mutilating your cat. -- Lynne Well, yes, I'm actually looking for the "whole host of options" here. So far I've read "trim his claws" (will not keep him from chewing on the carpet); shake a can of coins at him during behavior (have tried this approach, but cannot watch him every second of every day); and cover carpet with a stair runner--this is perhaps the best option presented yet. As for the rest of the "host" of options??? You want a lot, don't you, bitch. |
#10
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HELP--my cat is destroying my carpet!
"Peg" wrote BTW--since you seem to be so knowledgeable and polite--how exactly will trimming his claws stop him from chewing on the carpet? Should I trim his teeth as well? Google is your friend, genius. Google this group using keywords. Your cat needs more attention and more toys. You can spray the area with any number of repellants, or you can create your own using a citrus-scented spray. Some believe in bitter apple, and spray it on their wiring, carpets, etc. If you want a friendlier response, try not mentioning declawing when you have not even ****ing bothered to cut the cat's claws. It just rubs people who like cats the wrong way. It's kind of natural, when you think about it. Kind of like, people who like dogs might get annoyed if you talked about hacking off the last joints of the dogs toes before you had ever taken him to get his nails clipped. HTH. HANN. |
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