How do I stop Lizzie sharpening her claws on my rug?

[Legend83]

Seems to be her ritual that she will come in, have a bite to eat, then promptly saunter over to the rug in the lounge and pull it up with her claws.

I have tried running full pelt into the lounge at her, while banging a saucepan with a wooden spoon.

Sure, it gives her a fright but she does not seem to have associated it with when she does the deed!

Help!

[Defcon5]

Are you talking about your wife or a pet?

[Legend83]

Walked into that one.

[mrmaggit]

Get her a scratching post, but if she's anything like ours, she'll carry on using the rug.

[jmorgan]

Ah the joys of a wooden floor.... so they use the settee.

We have a few posts and a pad with rope. Of the various materials over the years it would appear that natural rope is preferred. When we had carpets though there were still tell tales when we came home. They worked out we told them off when we were around I think and had fun when we were out.

[ExPat2B]

HRH can sharpen her claws anywhere she likes.

[Georgiegirl]

Maybe spray it with something citrus smelling? Cats don't like that. Of course she may just pee on it then

My cat prefers one of those deep doormats you can get rather than a scratching post.

Catnip on the scratching post to encourage her onto it?

[tinman0]

Legend83 said:

Help!

Get some scratching pads and load them up with kitty heroin catnip.

If that fails, get a water pistol and shoot the cat with water every time they go for the rug. They hate water and they will associate the water pistol with their actions very quickly.

Remember, cats aren't bright. Cute, but dumb as a brick.

[bexVN]

Shouting/ squirting water etc at this problem usually just means they'll find somewhere else to do it plus some like to get a reaction, even if negative. Other down side to this is a viscious circle, scratvching can be a stress reliever to cats so more you shout more they stress the more they scratch.

can give you lots of tips on this but not enough time right now however try this page for some good tips

http://www.fabcats.org/behaviour/scratching/index....

[PaulG40]

tinman0 said:

Remember, cats aren't bright. Cute, but dumb as a brick.

[jmorgan]

PaulG40 said:

tinman0 said:

Remember, cats aren't bright. Cute, but dumb as a brick.

Would larf with you but they have us highly trained in case you have not spotted it.......

[Bunni8]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Soft-Claws-Paws-Stop-acciden...

Soft claws on ebay!? WTF?

[bexVN]

Bunni8 said:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Soft-Claws-Paws-Stop-acciden...

Soft claws on ebay!? WTF?

They work. Used them on my cat, worked a treat, may need to use them again soon as after almost a year she has started again. I only used them once last time (clear ones though, not the bright pink etc!!)

[Jasandjules]

tinman0 said:

Get some scratching pads and load them up with kitty heroin catnip.

^ This

Also, you can clip their claws, at least a little (it's a good idea to start this when they are kittens though).