Now i've read around that you should spray them with a water bottle. She only scratches the carpet by the door when she wants to go out (She never miaows.) By the time one of us can get there, she's stopped doing it and it's too late to spray her. Any suggestions for what i can do to stop her? Putting something on the carpet maybe? Also, when she wants to come in, she'll tear up the screen door. If it was our house I wouldn't worry, but we're renting and our landlord will NOT like it.
Answers:
You could always train her to be an indoor cat. With enough entertainment and attention, a cat can learn to be happy indoors, just as we humans are; and it's a LOT safer--as in, increases her lifespan by 10 years, statistically. But I assume you have considered and discarded this option.
Her letting you know that she wants to go out is a good thing; it communicates her desire to you, so don't discourage it. But you will want to protect your carpet.
Try:
--A welcome mat placed over the area, in hopes she'll scratch the mat instead
--A plastic carpet protector, of the sort they sell in office supply stores for office chairs to roll across so they don't damage the carpet
--Combining welcome mat and plastic carpet protector--so she digs her claws into the welcome mat instead of the carpet beside it (the mat should be more comfortable to scratch)
--Sprinkling the appropriate scratching surface with catnip, so she's attracted to it
If she doesn't have a scratching post inside, provide one. Sounds like she likes horizontal scratching; stores sell cardboard scratch pads, or you can just use a welcome mat or carpet sample of the sort mentioned above.
For going in:
Can you remove the screen door? It's getting to be winter, so you won't want to leave the door open anyhow; and the screen door can be put back in place when you move out.
Be sure to protect your door as well, since your cat wil then scratch that to get in. A thick layer of cardboard taped over the bottom half of it should do for protection; or you could get a sheet of plywood, affix it with screws, heavy duty glue, duct tape, etc. That second option of course means you'll have to fix and paint over the screw holes or glue/tape residue when you move out.
If your door is metal, you probably won't have to protect it; those would have to be some pretty sharp claws.
Sprinkle a little bit of black pepper on the spot where she chews. It works for my cat.
as far as the carpet try getting her a remnant and put some catnip on it. Move it away from the door and teach her to scratch it instead of the carpet on the floor. The screen door I'm not sure how to remedy as our cat does the same thing to let us know he is here. Maybe try hanging a bell at the door and teaching her to ring it when she wants out. They have the long cat toys that have bells that you can hang on things. Even if she has stopped the scratching it would be soon enough to still try to get your point across somehow. You could also try a little catnip on whatever you decide to hang on the knob and that would make her more apt to pay attention to it.
punish her when she does it and reward her if she doesnt. like spray her a little bit with a mini water gun or a squirt bottle when she does that, and give her a bowl of milk of she doesnt, or scratch behind her ears if she doesnt. it works, but it might take a while depending on how smart your cat is. if you have an older cat that behaves, then she might imitate the older cat.
spray bug spray on the spot.
Loud noises work well, but then you may discourage her from letting you know she needs to go out. Is there anyway you could put a cheap rug in front of the door? Then, she could tear that up, instead.
How would the landlord feel about a doggie door? That would make things easy on you and the cat.
You know the clear plastic carpet runners with the little pokey things on the back to hold them in place? Cut a piece to fit where she scratches and place it upside down there. She won't want to walk on it any more that you would. I use these to keep my dogs off the couch when I'm gone. A piece of plexiglass cut to fit over your screen will protect that.
get a cat scratch post and direct her to it when she starts scratching. you can also buy this spray stuff to put on the carpet which will smell bad to her and should keep her from clawing up the rug
My doors have bells hanging from the door nob on the inside and outside of the house. Both my dog and cat use these when they want in or out. My cat was harder to train (about 4 months!) than my dog( had to show him several times for a week or less) to use the bells.
Check out the pet store, they might have some kind of repel product you can use on the carpet, although you should try the pepper like the fellow above suggested. You can also get a scratch post and put it on the carpet where she scratches.
Most stores (like your local walmart, etc.) carry clear plastic mats. I'd suggest putting one of those on the carpet by your door. The only thing I can think of to protect the screen would be to put something on it as well. Maybe you could look into having glass put over the screen or in place of it.
Cats -hate- closed doors, because they don't understand them. Those who are allowed outside consider both inside and outside the house to be their territory, and it's instinct for them to "patrol" their -entire- territory regularly. Since your cat doesn't miaow, but tears at the carpet instead, I would put a little area rug right where she scratches. As for coming back in.do you have an idea of how long she likes to stay out? If so, keep an eye on the time and try to be ready for her. If not, you might want to learn. Unfortunately, this is one instinct you might have to live with.
P.S. You can buy screen material and replace what the cat ripped up.it's pretty easy.
Do you have a high enough scratching post? Sometimes the problem is that the scratching post is too low-- the standard 12 inch scratching post is way too short. Get a much taller one for maximum effectiveness.
They also sell cat deterrents at petco, petsmart, and even walmart. Walmart has great cheap pet supplies, fyi:) This may work, but it's not guaranteed. Definitely worth a try.
Another tactic is to put some catnip and/or treats on or near the scratching post. Take her paws, and have her run her fingers down. Dangle a toy near the post, and have her "accidentally" get her claws on it.
As for the screen door, have you considered getting a pet door? A good one is between 30-50 bucks. Check out costco.com fo good deals.
Cheers,
C
spraying will sometimes help.. or if u get a scratching post and put it by the door and sprinkle cat nip on it. cause she might smell scents from outside on the area where pl first come in so maybe try shampooing the carpet by the door. then 4 out side maybe if u have a big piece of spare wood you could lean it up against the screen door just while she is outside.
The plastic carpet piece should work. That's really inexpensive. I am fascinated by the "doorbell" thing, wouldn't it be neat if she would do that.
Another possibility would be a mat such as most people put outside their door for people to wipe their feet on. That would protect the carpet.
Don't know what to say about the screen door. That's not too expensive to replace when you vacate your tenancy.
First, your cat is very smart and you need to get smarter. She is telling you what she needs, not being naughty.
Forget the water bottle. She is telling you something in her own way.
Get an inexpensive carpet, by the door, that you don't mind her scratchig up. Go the the thrift store and buy many.
She needs to be able to come and go without you getting to her.
Renting is hard. Can you leave the screen door ajar or a door ajar while you are home? Giving her a out!
We must respect cat's because they can only communciate by action, and she is not bad and doesn't need to be sprayed. She is just telling you what she needs.
You can do it!
Spraying is not you answer.
TRIM HIS OR HERS NALIS
put a cheap rug where she normally scratches
First, I hate to hear that any cat goes outside for whatever reason. Too many bad things can happen to them. Second, it sounds like she needs some good scratching posts. There are all kinds of posts and scratchers from the inexpensive ones made of cardboard to the more expensive ones made from carpet or sisal rope material. I've heard that you should try to have one in just about every room of your house. That might help with her scratching if she has an alternative.
you can ask your landlord if they would allow you to put in a cat door,so she may come and go as she wishes.
other wise you can keep a water bottle close at hand to give her a squirt in the tush then just give her a stern no when she is scratching.
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