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DPL · Apr 7, 2006, 03:28 AM

I have two six month old Maine Coon cats (to be neutered next week). In the past week one of them has taken to removing the wood chip wallpaper of our house by scratching it with his claws. Hmmm.

We have a cat tree and a couple of scratching posts which he uses, but he insists on using the walls as well!

Any ideas out there as to how to discourage him?

Krs · Apr 7, 2006, 03:32 AM

OK, I have cats - 2 cats, that do naughty things like that and what I do is get a spray bottle fill it with water and spray the naughty cat when caught in action, and it will run a mile. Soon after they learn not to do it again.

Also once its nuetered it should calm down :)

Good Luck

RickJ · Apr 7, 2006, 03:34 AM

I've had cats my entire life (always 2 at a time) and it seems we've had to deal with this with every other one.

... and what's worked for me is: Watch him close and give him a good whack on the butt, hold up to your face and say "NO" boldly and sternly. After the first few times, then try the bold and stern "NO" by itself. Hopefully you'll start seeing him respond to the NO by itself... then stop trying altogether.

Also, pet supply stores carry sprays that cat's avoid. I'd think some of them are safe for wallpaper - but be sure to check the label about that before buying it.

Krs · Apr 7, 2006, 03:35 AM

That should help too what RickJ said, I whack their buttom too and yell NOOOOO and they certainly know they've done wrong!

DPL · Apr 14, 2006, 04:10 AM

Thanks to all for your good advice. The cats and I have had a man-to-man discussion about where to scratch and where not to, and what happens if you scratch in the wrong place. They decided this was worth a test so they went to scratch at their favourite bit of wallpaper and were rewarded with a nice water jet spray to the back of the head. Half an hour later I found them under the wardrobe looking sheepish (and a bit wet). Since then, I've mended the damaged wallpaper and so far, so good. If there's any hint of bad behaviour (for any reason) I show them the water sprayer and they get the message! PERFECT! :)

fredg · Apr 14, 2006, 05:57 AM

Hi,
If any of the good answers you have received does not continue to work on a full time basis, you could also consider having them declawed.
Best of luck.

DPL · Apr 14, 2006, 08:11 AM

Afraid not. It's both illegal in the UK and not permitted by the guidelines of the Royal College Veterinary Surgeons, the body that controls the Vets in the UK.

45notdaddy · Apr 8, 2009, 02:58 AM

Originally Posted by fredg

Hi,
If any of the good answers you have received does not continue to work on a full time basis, you could also consider having them declawed.
Best of luck.

Perhaps you should consider amputating your finger tips at the first knuckle and see how you like it.

this8384 · May 22, 2009, 08:03 AM

Originally Posted by 45notdaddy

Perhaps you should consider amputating your finger tips at the first knuckle and see how you like it.

Actually, that's not the procedure they use anymore. They make a small incision where the cat's "wrist" would be; they then take the entire claw out by pulling it back through, rather than just hacking off the cat's toes.

Plus this thread is 3 years old... I'm pretty sure the cat has been dealt with ;)

this8384 · May 25, 2009, 06:58 AM

Originally Posted by 45notdaddy

Black pot, black kettle?

Not really. My post had relevance - I didn't want people thinking that vets still declawed cats using the procedure you described. Your post addressed a 3-year-old question.

shazamataz · May 25, 2009, 11:04 AM

I agree with This8384, declawing is no-where near as cruel as it used to be.

There are alternatives though such as citronella sprays used on the walls...
Post over over 3 years old though like you said :rolleyes: