Scratching woes

[chloeann]

I'm sure this is a commonly discussed topic here but unfortunately don't have enough time to browse the forums these days!

My boy is a big scratcher, and he will scratch anything from pants legs to faux leather seats (is it comfortable? is it helpful to your claws? exactly what benefits for you derive from shredding my chairs?????) but when I bought him a scratch post a few months back, he wouldn't even look at it. Being the naive new cat owner that I was, and having hoped that the post would solve all my problems, I gave up trying to find another solution, and sacrificed my landlord's chairs and most other fabric items in my house to the beastie.

I'm not exactly complaining, since we don't really mind the damage, but I won't replace any furniture for fear of him tearing it to shreds as well. I think I should have been tough on him from the start and trained him out of it, but I wonder if it's too late for that now. (He's almost a year old). We just clip his nails and let him loose on the house.



Basically, what I want to ask is if anyone has faced a similar problem and how they solved it? If scratch posts weren't working, how did you bring them around to it or what alternative did you find?



My furniture and landlord thank you in advance! Here's a picture of the beastie.

 

[chloeann]

Posted too soon edited.

 

[Yoda mom]

@chloeann ,
yes, they like the feel of scratching. big scratchers here too. I use several different material scratching posts at various locations. some tall ones , floor. ones and even a shorter sisal one. I laid it on it's side and he stands on it to scratch like a tree branch.

I redirect to scratching post, scratching on it myself, praise and a treat.

they also scratch to mark their territory.

Marking by scratching
When your cat scratches something, they're doing more than sharpening their claws; they're leaving their scent as well. Cats have scent glands on the pads of their feet and scratching is another way cats mark territory.

 

[Yoda mom]

@chloeann , awh. he is adorable!!!
some use canned air (like to clean computer keyboards) with an ahhhhh no ( don't spray at him) , scat mats can be used too.
I cover one particular chair my kitty likes with a throw blanket, and redirect to scratch posts to train

 

[Yoda mom]

@chloeann , here is one previous thread. you can use the upper right search box to find other previous threads, typing in scratching posts, etc

Anyone successfully stopped their cats from scratching things?

We're being driven mad atm by Bea's relentless scratching at doors and carpets. She hates any closed doors so scratches at the bathroom door all night or at our office door. which need to be kept closed (valuables in office that she jumps on and breaks and poison stuff in bathroom). They both...

sphynxlair.com

do you trim his nails?

Clipping your Sphynx cat nails.

How often should I clip my Sphynx cat's nails and how? We recommend clipping your Sphynx cat's nails every seven to ten days depending on how much you clip the nail back. We prefer regular human nail clippers. We just clip the very tip so we do it a little bit more often, once a week right...

sphynxlair.com

 

[Condo commando]

Scratchers are good but you need them all over the house. My cats like cardboard scratchers the most so I have a ton of them. The ones that get used the most are ones that lay flat on the floor.

I also bought ottomans for the living room that are made of woven seagrass and jute. Kind of casual, so it might not be your thing, but I knew the material would attract the cats. It beats having a regular cat tree in the living room. People that come over don't realize I have the ottomans for cat scratchers and not because I want to put my feet up.

Microfiber furniture is resistant to claws if you can bring yourself to give up leather.

 

[Saskiasaurus]

I'm lucky because mine used the tree in the first day they moved in - but one of mine really enjoys scratching the underside of the sofa... No one can see but I was worried she would move to the top eventually, so now everyday I place a few treats on the tree for them to find and rattle my keys when she's doing it under the sofa

Also your boy is absolutely gorgeous

 

[chloeann]

@chloeann , here is one previous thread. you can use the upper right search box to find other previous threads, typing in scratching posts, etc

Anyone successfully stopped their cats from scratching things?

We're being driven mad atm by Bea's relentless scratching at doors and carpets. She hates any closed doors so scratches at the bathroom door all night or at our office door. which need to be kept closed (valuables in office that she jumps on and breaks and poison stuff in bathroom). They both...

sphynxlair.com

do you trim his nails?

Clipping your Sphynx cat nails.

How often should I clip my Sphynx cat's nails and how? We recommend clipping your Sphynx cat's nails every seven to ten days depending on how much you clip the nail back. We prefer regular human nail clippers. We just clip the very tip so we do it a little bit more often, once a week right...

sphynxlair.com

Thank you for all the info and advice! I'll definitely read through everything. I'll also try more positive reinforcement instead of just the usual "ah no pssss get away!!!" Treats is something I never actually use because I just always thought of them as a dog thing (as well as training in general!) so I'll put more effort into that.
Thanks so much for taking the time to get the links for me!!
<3

 

[chloeann]

Scratchers are good but you need them all over the house. My cats like cardboard scratchers the most so I have a ton of them. The ones that get used the most are ones that lay flat on the floor.

I also bought ottomans for the living room that are made of woven seagrass and jute. Kind of casual, so it might not be your thing, but I knew the material would attract the cats. It beats having a regular cat tree in the living room. People that come over don't realize I have the ottomans for cat scratchers and not because I want to put my feet up.

Microfiber furniture is resistant to claws if you can bring yourself to give up leather.

Thanks so much for your advice! "All over the house" is a bit difficult because our place is TINY tiny, so all over means a maximum of two, haha. But the ottoman thing is a great idea, I'll look into disguising scratchers as furniture. My old family cat used to rip into our old carpet with gusto so maybe I can get something like that as well. Mostly to trick my own cat into using it, seeing as actual cat items have zero appeal.
Thanks again!

 

[chloeann]

I'm lucky because mine used the tree in the first day they moved in - but one of mine really enjoys scratching the underside of the sofa... No one can see but I was worried she would move to the top eventually, so now everyday I place a few treats on the tree for them to find and rattle my keys when she's doing it under the sofa

Also your boy is absolutely gorgeous

The treats idea seems like the way to go! I'll try it as well as a few different ways to discourage him from the other furniture. Thank you!! <3

 

[Sheldon13]

You can also try catnip on the trees to attract him.


Love and Sphynx ~ It’s all you need

 

[Condo commando]

@chloeann these are the ottomans I bought. I buy used ones...just click on the link where it says new and used. If they say "like new" condition you can't even tell they're used. Since you said your place is tiny these might also make do as seats in a pinch especially if you put a soft cushion on them.

www.amazon.com/MagJo-Natural-Woven-Poufs-Hutton/dp/B06XDW5PV8?th=1

 

[Condo commando]

@chloeann regarding scratchers it's not what you're thinking. Here's an example ....it's a 1 foot by 1 foot square and just 1 inch high. You can put them along a wall or right next to furniture so they're not in the middle of your path. I actually received 2 of these included with another purchase at no cost and I thought, "what a cheap scratcher" but I tossed them on the floor. Lo and behold the cats love them. I also have carpeted cat trees but the cats prefer to scratch these things.

 

[Yoda mom]

@chloeann , you are welcome.. mine love the floor cardboard scratchers too. I got a 3 pack for $29 on amazon I like they have nice rounded ends . mine prefer the wide ones too. I find sphynx very easy to train with treats. they are cat,dog, monkey , baby all in one . purebites treats are great for training. I trained mine to a meet n greet seat to teach not to bolt out doors.(still have to watch carefully but it helped).

keep us updated, hugs n head smooches

 

[Yoda mom]

@Condo commando , oh yes, my Macie loved the seagrass type ottoman as a scratcher

 

[Condo commando]

@Condo commando , oh yes, my Macie loved the seagrass type ottoman as a scratcher

What's not to love.....they're scratching posts, foot rests, and extra seating all in one.

 

[Yoda mom]

@Condo commando , oooh Macie bengal tore it up! I had my gym equipment in. there were shredded pieces hanging off lol

i am fairly new to amazon shopping,, thanks for the tip on the used/like new info / ottoman link. I had no idea it would come that like new

 

[CathyO]

Scratchers are good but you need them all over the house. My cats like cardboard scratchers the most so I have a ton of them. The ones that get used the most are ones that lay flat on the floor.

I also bought ottomans for the living room that are made of woven seagrass and jute. Kind of casual, so it might not be your thing, but I knew the material would attract the cats. It beats having a regular cat tree in the living room. People that come over don't realize I have the ottomans for cat scratchers and not because I want to put my feet up.

Microfiber furniture is resistant to claws if you can bring yourself to give up leather.

The woven jute or sea grass ottoman is a good idea. Covert cat tree/scratcher in one!

 

[CathyO]

It would be nice to learn what types or scratching stuff you’ve tried with your sphynx coz each cat likes diff things. I learned that my cats don’t like incline scratching cardboards. Just the horizontal cardboard ones and the vertical sisal posts. One cat likes those hard/scratchy welcome mat carpets. I’ve covered the back of my computer chair and sofa with fabric covers during the transition just to be safe.

 

[Condo commando]

@Condo commando , oooh Macie bengal tore it up! I had my gym equipment in. there were shredded pieces hanging off lol

i am fairly new to amazon shopping,, thanks for the tip on the used/like new info / ottoman link. I had no idea it would come that like new

Always shop the Amazon Warehouse. I believe they sell mostly merchandise returns and also some things where the box got dinged. I always look for either "like new" or "very good" and to be honest both of them look brand new to me. The important thing is the seller must be Amazon Warehouse. There are other sellers of used merchandise but they are hit or miss. Amazon Warehouse is a safe bet.

 

[Yoda mom]

@Condo commando , thanks!!!! I never knew.

 

[Breeze]

I find mine leave my velvet material furniture alone. Bought a second set of velvet couches and they also have zero interest in scratching at them as well.