so... I've been thinking about picking up one of the strays wandering around here, but it occured to me this morning that cats like to scratch things, and I don't particularly want my furniture damaged. So I'm wondering if there's anything I could do about that. I've also thought that I'd have to take it to a vet to make sure it has proper whatnot. I'm also aware that I'm not around too much, so it would really depend on if my of my roommates would be interested.

2/25/2006 9:11:58 AM

not all cats are gonna tear your house apart. you can always try and train it. my sister took a stray in and it was our best cat ever. sweet but independent.

2/25/2006 9:25:47 AM

sounds like you have a really good heart, but you probably aren't ready for cats...especially feral strays

[Edited on February 25, 2006 at 9:33 AM. Reason : cats will scratch, if they have claws, but a scratching post will usually work]

2/25/2006 9:31:45 AM

Make sure the scratching post is in an easily accessible place. Toss some catnip on it to give it a pleasing scent. My cats use theirs only because of the catnip.

2/25/2006 10:01:35 AM

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2/25/2006 10:02:19 AM

coins in a can works too.

2/25/2006 11:45:29 AM

trim their claws, get them a scratching post with either carpet or rope, and anytime they try to scratch the furniture just pick them up, and take them to the scratching post

2/25/2006 1:21:15 PM

declaw them. both front and back claws.

2/25/2006 1:22:57 PM

no, you shouldn't declaw a cat's back paws...that leaves them utterly defensive...many vets won't even do it....instead keep their back claws trimmed

2/25/2006 3:56:21 PM

fuck that. back claws put holes in leather.

2/25/2006 4:06:40 PM

http://www.softpaws.com

2/25/2006 4:11:47 PM

^ they have those at petsmart in various colors and sizes

my cats are fully clawed and scratch on things all the time but they have not caused any damage, becaues i keep them trimmed and they also have a super scratching post

also the spraying with water doesn't work long-term because a.) they figure if you don't have the spray bottle in hand they are safe and b.) you can't stop them when you're at home or asleep

2/25/2006 4:20:00 PM

you can buy these sticky strips and place them on your furniture. apparently cats dont like the feel of them and learn to not scratch them...i have no idea if that works :\

I know a guy that put blankets all over his furniture to keep his cat from tearing it up...talk about comfy couch!

2/26/2006 9:40:00 PM

I have yet to meet a cat that didn't pull of soft paws within a day. Cats can do fine for a weekend alone, just leave a feeder. And yearly shots aren't too bad as pet expenses go.

2/26/2006 10:11:46 PM

Multiple solutions here.

1. Get a good scratching post and dose with catnip.
2. Negative reinforcement - ie spayer or once I gave my cat a quick under the faucet trip for seriously bad behaviour. She learned pretty fast that misbehaving = spray bottle.
3. Soft Paws- although i've heard mixed reports
4. Keep their nails front and back trimmed (please dont declaw...). I find my cat scratches twice as much if I havent trimmed her nails in a bit.
5. If the cat is older than a kitten, there are sprays you can use that will keep a cat out of an area. These however are entirely in appropriate for kittens/young cats (I dont remember the age limit).
6. The sticky stuff, cats *hate* walking on things that stick to their paws.


I use a combination of 1,2 and 4 and it works pretty well.
I've considered adding soft paws to the mix.

But basically I'd take it from a multiple approach sort of standpoint.

Oh, and dont own wicker furniture. From what I"ve heard there's no way a cat will resist that stuff.

Oh, as far as the sprayer goes, it's recommended that you try and get them from an angle where they really cant see you. Ie the water comes out of nowhere. Then they have no association that *you* spray the water, and the above mention problems with that method arent as bad.

[Edited on February 27, 2006 at 10:43 AM. Reason : additional info]

2/27/2006 10:42:13 AM

A good cheep way to keep cats from scratching things is to put allumimn foil around the chairs and the base of funiture that you want to keep from them.

Cats don't like the shinny things and won't scratch it. If there is a scatching post it will learn that is were they can scratch.

2/27/2006 11:12:14 AM

ditto to what everone has said already

cats rock, but they can tear up your stuff if you don't train them correctly. Keep their claws trimmed (have fun cutting them, wear body armor ). Have a scrathing post around for them.

make sure if it's a male cat.. get those balls cut off

2/27/2006 11:57:55 AM

Quote :

"A good cheep way to keep cats from scratching things is to put allumimn foil around the chairs and the base of funiture that you want to keep from them. Cats don't like the shinny things and won't scratch it. If there is a scatching post it will learn that is were they can scratch."

I've never heard the shiny thing comment before. I do't believe it. Anything that is flasy or catches their eye thay will play with. All the cats I have EVER had would attack/play with anything slightly reflective or noisy. It's like the mirror-they will jump at it or check it out like "Hey sweet thang!"


Also, those softpaw things look really uncomfortable. I mean, all cats claws aren't the same size and I'd think they'd have a fit if you tried to put something on their claws. I guess some cats are different.

2/27/2006 12:16:00 PM

Didn't want to make a new thread about a cat question...so here's my question.

My parent's cat had her first-and will be only- litter of kittens Tuesday. There was an abandoned kitten -about 2 - 2.5 weeks old-that my dog found and brought to my Dad Tuesday morning. They bottle fed and did all the things the kitten needed since it's mother was gone (and were afraid to put it back outside in the rain or for another dog to find). Wednesday night, they decided to introduce it to the new mother cat. She took it in as her own! She's nursing and stimulating "movements" like she does for her own. It's twice as big as her newborns, if not more, and solid white--while she is black & white. It looks so funny in there nursing beside the itty bitty ones and sticking out like a sore thumb!
My question is, is it normal for a cat to take in another kitten that is no where near the same size as her others?

4/28/2006 4:27:12 PM

^ Does it matter? As long as its taking care of it, good.

4/28/2006 4:38:40 PM

Cats have taen in puppies before... not weird.

4/28/2006 4:41:18 PM

I asked, so obviously it matters to me. And yes, Good, that she is taking care of it.
I forgot to mention the main concern behind this question--and that is: how long is colostrum in the initial lactation cycle and will it interfere with the older kitten's digestive system since she's already had her colostrum...or if it really don't matter!

4/28/2006 5:13:12 PM

Quote :

"coins in a can works too."

not always

Quote :

"also the spraying with water doesn't work long-term because a.) they figure if you don't have the spray bottle in hand they are safe and b.) you can't stop them when you're at home or asleep"

4/28/2006 8:11:53 PM

i want to declaw smath74

i wonder how he'd like to have his fingernail up to his second knuckle removed

4/28/2006 8:26:55 PM