Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

To: Hot Tabasco
But back to the scratching post........what do I do?

My Maine Coon Bijou really likes her horizontal cardboard scratcher. She walks right by the Ultimate Cat Scratch post, which is vertical. Little Zizu loves the vertical post, but will switch hit on the cardboard scratcher at times.

As a hidden form of resentment after I got Zizu, Bijou started something she'd never done in the 8 years I've had her: scratching my carpet in certain places. And she would deliberately wait until I went in the bathroom to do it! I used cat repellents especially to discourage scratching, but they were of limited use.

Nothing really happened until I heard her start scratching and roared out of the bathroom, screaming at her and clapping my hands. That put the fear on her and she NEVER scratched the carpet again. I also sprayed the cardboard scratcher with catnip oil and take time to profusely praise her every time she uses it. I think she started acting out because she was jealous of Zizu, but she was getting LOTS of attention and there was no need for her to act out by scratching the carpet.

That grass fabric wallpaper you have is a green light to a cat, to scratch. It's just the kind of texture they love to sink their claws into. I think I would try putting different, plain flat wallpaper up (if it's time to re-do it) or at least I'd cover those parts reachable by a cat on her hind legs with plexiglas, some aluminum radiator cover, a piece of surplus paneling, etc. That will certainly break her of the habit. If you can't reach it, you won't scratch it. At the same time, offer her a horizontal cardboard scratcher and maybe another vertical post, sprayed with catnip oil. Praise her when she uses them.

52 posted on 02/22/2017 2:37:15 PM PST by EinNYC
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 48 | View Replies ]


To: EinNYC

Thanks for the advice......I’ll see what I can do.


53 posted on 02/22/2017 2:43:17 PM PST by Hot Tabasco
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 52 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson