Scratcing Toby

**ScantyNebula** · 06-14-2003, 08:27 AM

Ever since we moved into our new house Toby has been trying to find a good spot to "sharpen his claws" .. he's been tearing the carpet, a guitar case

, and even a bulliten board! We have a scratching post for him but it seems he only uses it when he's around it, he don't just go to it.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to stop him from scratching the carpet so much? We tried deterrent spray but I think he's gotten used to that now and doesn't care .. oh, and a water squirter doesn't bother him, he likes water

thanks

**Lorraine** · 06-14-2003, 09:13 PM

Sammy used to do he same thing. He would do this insane scratching in front on my daughter's bedroom door at night(the kitties are locked out of their room, because they want to wake the girls up to play!) Sammy actually made a hole in the carpet. Every morning I would find bits of the fibers of the carpet all around that spot. He thought if he dug hard enough, he would make a tunnel under the door to get in!

I also tried deterrent sprays, which did not help. I sometimes would put a strip of aluminum foil over the spot, which most cats hate the sound, and feel of. I also had gotten a towel, and then with a spray bottle sprayed vinegar over it, then placed the towel over the spot. That helped for a while, because it was very stinky to Sammy. I thought it was stinky too, but it sure beat Sammy digging himself silly every night!
I hope this may help you! Good luck!

**ScantyNebula** · 06-14-2003, 11:27 PM

foil ... hmmm I haven't tried that one yet, thanks for reminding me. I do notice that he usually scratches the carpet in one certain spot .. I need to get him out of that habit!

**Uabassoon** · 06-14-2003, 11:40 PM

Have you tried buying another scratching more scratching posts so that way he'll always be near them? If you can't afford a big scratching post you can try buying a few of these. My cats LOVE them and they cost anywhere from $5 to $8.

Also make sure to reward Toby when he does use his scratching post, give him a few treats to let him know that he's being a good boy.

**IttyBittyKitty** · 06-15-2003, 07:04 AM

Lorraine's ideas are very good - especially putting aluminium down, that is a really good idea! One thing that also works is whenever you find him scratching the carpet, put him on his scratching post. Solmetimes, cats don't realise that the scratching post is all for them and that they can go nuts on it. Also, have you tried catnip? That can renew their intrest in the sratching post.

**ScantyNebula** · 06-15-2003, 07:43 AM

LOL I tried putting aluminum foil in the spot where he always rips the carpet apart .. and he started playing with it!!

He liked the sound it made when he walked on it and he started patting the foil around! Oh my ... I do put a little catnip on his post , and as soon as I see him at his post I run with a treat! I will just have to keep trying I guess! Thanks for the ideas

**Cataholic** · 06-15-2003, 08:05 AM

SN- I forget, how old is Toby? Some of this may be an outgrowning thing. I have heard that if you make a loud high pitched noise when Toby does those things you don't like, it will make Toby associate the noise with the activity, and Toby will stop. Sounds too simple to work, eh? The cat scratching thing Uba showed you made my cats CRAZY for it...drool and all...it might be a good idea. That is too funny about the aluminum...he he. It does make a 'fun' sound when they pat it with their paws....

Good luck...

**Cataholic** · 06-15-2003, 08:07 AM

SN- I reread your post....as soon as you moved into the new house!!! Of course, Toby is 'rescenting' everything...to reclaim it, since the paw is one of the MAJOR scent/oil makers on a kitty. It makes alot of sense (or should I say, scents) now. I bet, with some re-training, this will go in time..as Toby knows this is the new house....

**ScantyNebula** · 06-15-2003, 08:37 AM

I usually clap my hands and yell at him when he starts scratching the carpet .. he just flattens himself out on the floor, spreads his front paws out and his ears go back .. lol its so adorable looking I should take a picture next time! haha

Maybe if I keep doing and giving him treats when he uses his post he will eventually get the idea

**emily_the_spoiled** · 06-15-2003, 01:08 PM

Hi,

In addition to using a deterent on the carpet you might want to try using catnip on the scratching post. I find the combination of a deterent and the catnip make "training" pretty straight forward. There are catnip sprays available at PetSmart or you can just rub some catnip into the scratching post. You might be surprised to find out how quickly Toby decides the post is "better" than the carpet