Nothing major to espouse today. Just wanted to show you some shots of Tedy bear.
He has adjusted to being a solo cat since his sister Lucy died several months ago. It took a while but now he loves getting all of the attention when we are around.
And he is learning to entertain himself more often when we are not. I know this by the scattered toys left about the house. He takes full advantage of our open door at night to turn into a fuzzy and persistent alarm clock in the morning.
His health is doing well and he takes his medicine every day like he should. Except when we try out a new pill pocket flavor - he is set in his tastes.
We are ordering a brand new couch so I am very nervous about that. He is a scratcher - his one bad quality. What do I do about this people? Sticky tape? Squirt bottle? New scratching post? I don't know how to deter him when we aren't at home, short of shutting him away in the basement. Don't get me wrong, the basement is a favorite hangout for him - and Andy. But I would feel really bad. Speak to me kitty owners. What has worked for you? Declawing is not an option. I don't personally believe in it, and he does still go outside.
13 comments:
Hi Molly!
Tedy is so handsome! I love his sleek black fur. I too do not believe in de-clawing and I have four scratching felines in the house and out. I used a product called Scratch Not by Smarty Kat along with a companion tape on the corners. It has worked very well.
And, of course, having other objects for them to scratch on helps. I found that in the winter when they're inside more, they love having a log to scratch on, especially sassafras, if you can find it. I just lay it on a throw rug, bark side up, and they go to town!
I put sticky tape on the couch and put one of those scratch boxes ($5 at Walmart) right there for him to scratch on instead. My cats LOVE those boxes and I have a couple all over the house. I also clip their nails because I don't believe in de-clawing either.
I wouldn't recommend declawing--but I don't have a solution either :) We took a cat out that was a scratcher to be declawed and she never recovered from the surgery. She died in just two weeks. :( sad
I don't know about sticky tape -- never heard of using it, but that doesn't mean it won't work. I have heard that cats hate the feel of aluminum foil, so covering the scratching area with aluminum foil is supposed to work. Of course, having something else that they're allowed to scratch on is probably good.
Tedy is a handsome beast indeed.
Your kitty is so sweet. I wish I had advice on how to handle the new couch/scratching issue but unfortunately I am allergic to cats and have never been able to have one. Luckily I have a cute little puppy!
These pictures are great. I especially like the first one. He looks like he just finished the most spectacular thanksgiving meal ever-like he'd unzip his fur if he could!
Swwet, sweet kitty.Scout was our first experience with a cat and we had her front paws declawed. And then I swore that would never happen again. So, what are a few scratches compared to a well loved cat?
He's a cutie. We have two cats who wake us up too....much too early. And they scratch at everything, even with their own scratching boards. I don't know what the answer is to it. They have ruined one of our good chairs, and several corners in our kitchen. You can catch them at the beginning, but when you're not home it's all bets are off. Sorry Molly, I wish I knew the solution.
I got a sturdy upright scratching post for my terror and some catnip spray, as long as I use the spray once a week he leaves the rest of the furniture alone. Also, when he is using the post and I am right there I make sure I tell him what a good kitty he is. Good luck!
Oh my beautiful Tedy!!!
Kisses for him!!
I love the box picture :)
I don't know what to do about the couch either. Anthony Jr likes to scratch as well and we tried foil but he just scratched through that. He is a terror.
Let me know if you find a solution.
B really wants to get a cat, but I am afraid of the scratching and clawing as we have new furniture that is supposed to last us, you know, forever. . . He is not opposed to de-clawing, but I do not feel comfortable with it. Growing up our cats were outdoor cats so there were no issues. My college roommate's cat destroyed my couch, and I witnessed my old boyfriend's cat destroy his. Oy.
If you figure it out, I'd love to know what works.
Oh, handsome boy! (Yes, Andy too) I smile at all of the poses similar to our Mr. And you get yours to take Pill Pockets--so lucky! We must wrap him up like a burrito...
I "get" your problem. A couple of couches and a chair are goners thanks to our previous cat, who was Above scratch posts, and also home alone in her early years. We were smarter with the current pair; they've had scratch posts all their lives and they do help. With him. Get him a big climbing, scratching thingy & every time he goes for the new couch carry him over to it. He'll get the idea.
I also clip nails. Definitely a "burrito" project.
Good luck!!
The top photo is hilarious. Use the double stick tape ("Sticky Paws"?) that they sell in pet stores on your furniture. Buy a TALL scratching post made of sisal and give treats liberally whenever he uses it. This probably works better when you start them immediately as kittens, but it's worth a try. My cats hurl themselves against the scratching post any time I walk past it. My furniture is intact.
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