Cat Clawing

emmypants

Hi  My cat has suddenly decided he doesn't like his cardboard claw box anymore and is using the carpet.  When we first adopted him, he used the carpet, so we tried a carpet scratch post, which he hated.  My aunt got him a cardboard one with cat nip and he loved it.  

Thursday he started clawing on the carpet, and won't stop.  He has fresh litter, a clean box, fresh water, fresh food [that is his normal brand, so it's not new food].  He's still active and naps and snuggles, so it's just the clawing.  He doesn't appear to be injured, he's eating normally and he is an indoor cat only.  Nothing has changed as far as H & I being with him, no new food, nothing.

I did trim his claws 2 weeks ago, so could that be the culprit?  I told him if he didn't stop, I was going to get him pretty claws with the Soft Paws and he proceeded to claw again.  

I just want my non clawing kitten back, help!! 

Kaiene

Is there something in/under the carpet that's driving him nuts? I only ask because my neighbors' dog went nuts and dug at carpet when a mouse got into their house and built a nice home in the floor.

Have you replaced the cardboard scratcher recently? After a while, they aren't as satisfying to scratch, so you need to replace them.  Ideally, you should have a couple of different types around for kitty.  We have sisal, carpet and cardboard.  Most of them love the sisal, a couple like the cardboard (though one will only scratch cardboard boxes...not the scratcher), and most like the carpet.

What are you doing when he does the inappropriate scratching?

emmypants

Oh Lord, I hope not!! :O  It is kind of raised in that area, I think when we rearranged, it pulled it a bit.

His box is around 3 months old, and I turned it over, so it's on a side that's never been clawed on. He hated the carpet one, but I'll have to look into sisal, I've never heard of that.

When he scratches, and I catch him, he runs from me.  I caught him and took him to his scratch box and put him on it and petted him and told him good kitties claw on this, not the floor.  He glared.  I just want my nice kitten back, not this heathen. 

<eta> I'm going to be investing in this tomorrow, I work right by Pet Smart.

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=10845100 

Kaiene

Does he have things he can climb, like a cat tree? How old is he?

emmypants

We got him a cat tree scratch post and he freaked out.  So we took it to my moms and his cat cousins love it.  He's a bigger cat, so I'm wondering if he'd fallen out of one when he was younger.  When we adopted him, they said he was 7, so we made that his birthday  He will be 10 in May.

Kaiene

I just thought of something...have you ever heard of Feliway?

It's a synthetic version of a calming cat pheromone.  They make a spray and a diffuser.  Since cats sometimes scratch as a way of "marking" their territory (I think I read this somewhere), you could try using the spray on the area where he is scratching.

If you do decide to use it, buy it on Amazon.  Usually Feliway is cheaper on Amazon than the pet store.

emmypants

I have heard of it.  I'm going to try the sisal and see how it works, but I will keep the Feliway in mind.  Thank you so much!!

He says thank you too

Kaiene

emmypants:

I have heard of it.  I'm going to try the sisal and see how it works, but I will keep the Feliway in mind.  Thank you so much!!

He says thank you too

What a handsome guy! Love the markings!

michaelandjulie2

emmypants:

I have heard of it.  I'm going to try the sisal and see how it works, but I will keep the Feliway in mind.  Thank you so much!!

He says thank you too

That is a gorgeous cat!

The other suggestions were great and I dont have much to add. You could try cleaning the area with Nature's Miracle or some other enzymatic cleaner in case something got on the carpet that is bothering him?  

ETA: That is assuming he is only scratching in one spot. 

michaelandjulie2

dup

emmypants

Thank you  I love him!!  I got him a sisal post this afternoon and put cat nip in and on it, but he isn't impressed.  I'm hoping he'll warm up to it.

I think that it is, I got him a cat nipped mouse for christmas and he went nutty, I'm thinking the nip got on the floor and he can smell it.  We did Febreeze it though.  I'm hoping the post will make him a happy cat.  Thanks for all of the great suggestions  

melissahearts

Sorry to be a little off-subject -- wow beautiful cat resting head on the bag. Love him (or her?)  

emmypants

melissahearts:

Sorry to be a little off-subject -- wow beautiful cat resting head on the bag. Love him (or her?)  

It's a him  Mister Boots.  I love that kid

Kaiene

emmypants:

Thank you  I love him!!  I got him a sisal post this afternoon and put cat nip in and on it, but he isn't impressed.  I'm hoping he'll warm up to it.

I think that it is, I got him a cat nipped mouse for christmas and he went nutty, I'm thinking the nip got on the floor and he can smell it.  We did Febreeze it though.  I'm hoping the post will make him a happy cat.  Thanks for all of the great suggestions  

Febreeze won't get rid of the smell to him. Try the NM, it is awesome stuff!