Help!

[PJ's Mom]

As some of you know, we have a 3 year old cat named Barclay. Barclay is the sweetest cat (who sometimes thinks he's a dog) except for one thing...

He's scratching up my stairs! We live in a rental house, so it's really not wise to let such behavior continue. We've tried placing a scratching post for him to use right next to the stairs, we've tried telling him "no" when he does it, but nothing works. It usually happens in the middle of the night when everyone is asleep.

I don't want to have to get him declawed, because his favorite things to do are to climb trees and stalk the dogs when they're outside.

I'm looking to you cat experts for help.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm sorry to hear that you're having scratching problems with him. Have you ever tried soft paws? Here's a link to it http://www.safepetproducts.com/pilot...=softpaws_info. I've never tried this product but there are several Pet Talkers that have and love it. Good luck and please keep us updated.

[lovingisliving76]

You could try spraying catnip on the scratching post that you want her to use. If she isnt showing an interest in the scratching post, try one with sisal rope. My cat LOVES sisal rope. I have a scratching post with carpet that goes floor to ceiling in the living room. And another playground kind of scratching post in the back of the house which has legs in sisal rope. I also have a single short sisal rope one in the bathroom because she likes to lounge in there. And a think horse lead rope which is wound around to be twice as thick. I hung it from the ceiling near her tall post. She loves to swing and climb it.

I figure the more she has to play with, the less likely she'll play with the wrong stuff. :-)

[PJ's Mom]

I wonder how difficult it would be to get those soft paws on him? I may have to take him to the vet to have them put on but it's still better than declawing him. I can't use the catnip suggestion simply because he happens to be one of the few cats who is immune to catnip. However, I like the ide of giving him a rope to climb. I think that would be fun for both of us.

BTW, here's Barclay:

[kt_luvs_kitties]

I have a suggestion or two. I learned them while working at the vet. You could rub your hands on the scratching post (or your scent) even perfume to make him want to rub his scent (and cover yours)on it (through his paws). Second is to trim his nails about every 2 weeks. I love softpaws, even though I don't use them anymore because they need their claws while we reside at my mothers house (because of her mean kitties) they have to have SOME kinda defense seeing as they refuse to fight back I hope this helps! ( my vet charged 2 dollars each paw to use the softpaw and put it on for the owner(if one fell off) or 10 dollars for all nails) I used to do it for my kitties and other people and it is rather simple if you have someone to help you. Good luck in your scratching adventures!!!

[lizzielou742]

Please don't have him declawed, especially if he goes outside!

OK now that I have said that, I would also recommend Soft Claws, and also trimming his nails often. I trim Sophie and Tito's nails down at least once every ten days. I keep them as short and as blunt as possible, so it's harder for them to do damage. When I do catch them scratching things they're not supposed to, I nail them in the butt with a water gun, but since Barclay is scratching at night, that may not be helpful for you. What I would suggest is:

* Soft Claws OR

* frequent nail trimming
* a new sisal scratching surface placed right next to the stairs - a rope, etc. (I know you already have a post there, but keep trying )
* water gun therapy
* covering the stairs with carpet?
* keeping him in another part of the house at night, if possible
*A cat tree or something more fun for him to play/climb/scratch on at night

I don't know exactly how he's scratching, but some cats like horizontal or slanted scratching surfaces as opposed to vertical. Maybe that's why he likes the stairs? I have a couple cheap horizontal sctratching surfaces that my cats like, maybe he would be interested in something like that.

These are horizontal scratching pads I have.

nail clippers

Soft Claws

Good luck!

[PJ's Mom]

Wow, I had no idea som many options were available. I guess declawing is defnintely out of the question.

The stairs he scatches up are horizontal, and carpeted. I think the soft claws and a new/better scratching post are what's needed.

Looks like I've got some shopping to do.

Thanks so much for the suggestions!

[lizzielou742]

My Sophie scratches the carpet up by some of our doors. I am always finding little pieces of carpet everywhere...and we rent too, so that worries me. But, oh well, what are ya gonna do! I still love her!

PS Barclay is adorable! What a cutie! We'd love to see some pictures sometime over in Cat General!

[cruisetime]

As someone who rents houses - I do understand your concern of what the owners might think. If the kitty stills insists how about buying a rug (a runner) that is narrow and long that will go over the stairs (get a backing that will not slip) and that way the kitty will scratch it or go somewhere else. Just another idea - I have rugs all over my house just becuase I like them. Debbie