Question:
We have two 2-year-old male cats. They are great buddies, and my husband and I really enjoy them. They are neutered, but have their nails because I don't believe in having them declawed.We have never been able to break Simon from clawing the furniture. We have tried spraying the furniture with bitter apple and various sprays. I have put sticky tape on the chairs and that helped quite a lot, but it still hasn't stopped him completely. He backs off for a while then starts again.I have a cat condo with scratch pads, and they also have their own scratch stand, but Simon still insists on going for the furniture. He likes to go after our barstool seats. It is almost as if he is trying to make it into a game -- he will, at times, look at me, knowing I'm watching him, and then start in.As for attention, we play with them a lot -- daily, in fact -- and they also have lots of toys and fun things, so we do make sure that they have attention and lots of love.Can you offer any other kind of help? Something I haven't thou
C.S., Naples, FL Feb 03, 2008
Answer:
Clearly, you have done everything to deter your cat from raking up your upholstered furniture.This is his windup game, a display of excitement in your presence. So when you catch him at it, immediately re-motivate him with a dangling fluffy toy to chase, catch or "kill."Cats also claw furniture and walls to mark their territory, work their claws or keep them clean and sharp.Let him have the barstool seats for himself and cover other areas you want to protect with thick plastic sheeting for three to four weeks after spraying the fabric with enzyme cleaner to help remove his scent. Such time away from this habit may help break him break it. I would allow him to claw the back of furniture that is out of sight and call it cat art. Part of living with cats is accommodating their needs, and I'm glad your felines have not been declawed.
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