Ki Katie -
Not sure if it is the same with an older cat...but with Lizzie and Robbie we put a variety of scratching posts around the house ang gradually moved them once we learned where they like to "stretch". Anytime we saw them scratch, we picked them up and put them on a post - heaped lots of place and sometimes treats when they use it on their own. At first I used catnip on the scratching areas. I seldom see anymore scratching elsewhere at all. One spot they like on my loveseat and I am going to buy some sticky tape. Well, Robbie *does* climb my curtains but what can I do? I just laugh and run for the camera. It reminds me that it is time to clip!!

The biggest help as far as our flesh and furniture (new leather recliners!!) has been regular clipping of claws. I bought a little scissor looking clipper made for small claws and started early. I get it out almost every week for the kittens and figured the older ones may as well have clipped back claws, too. I bled ALOT at first but now they seem resigned to it and I do them all at the same sitting - pretty much using Jen's tutorial (pix now taken down) bit you can get your own method.

I would have an assortment of surfaces to scratch and put them where you learn she likes to scratch. It really is not as hard as I worried it would be and I am so glad that I tried it!!

Do the rest of of you think these things will work on an older cat? I never did use a water bottle - not necessary with the babies.

Good luck Katie!! Lizzie wants to see her new Auntie!!