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My now 8 month old Luna-Tuna refuses to use a scratching post and opts for my rugs instead! I've repeatedly taken her to the scratching posts but she's still unclear on concept. I've had to take up my hall runner because that's been a favorite of hers. She still attacks the rug in the dining area as it's the exact same kind of rug. I have a corregated scratching box (with catnip) that she won't even look at. I've offered her other rugs that I don't care about. No go. My other cat, Leila, took to both the scratching posts and scratching box without any issue.
Today I purchased a sisal place mat for $3 at Walmart hoping that she would be attracted to it. She is but she still prefers my rug. I'm about to give up. These aren't high end rugs (got them from Target) so maybe I should let her scratch the crap out of them and then replace them with something else when the time comes.
Luna did start attacking the sofa arms (as did Leila) but I just put tape on them and that cut habit. Maybe I should just tape the entire rug???
My two cats are just like my two girls. Kid#1 was uber shy and did what she was told. Kid #2 was a hellion.
Maybe get some cheap throw rugs for her to scratch on?
I thought of that--in fact I had a rug in hand when I found the sisal placemat. The placemat was cheaper.
Somehow spending money on a rug my cat is only going to trash (or not) doesn't seem to be a wise investment. I may as well let her tear up what I have and then get new "anti" cat rugs.
Check online for other deterrents. There are a bunch and some home concoctions as well. There are probably other attractants if they don't like catnip. If it wasn't Thanksgiving, I'm sure folks here would have a lot of suggestions.
I thought of that--in fact I had a rug in hand when I found the sisal placemat. The placemat was cheaper.
Somehow spending money on a rug my cat is only going to trash (or not) doesn't seem to be a wise investment. I may as well let her tear up what I have and then get new "anti" cat rugs.
A placemat is way too small. Natural motion is to stretch and sharpen. When ShadowCat eyed furniture we gave her a 12x2 pine board with felt feet glued on. She turned it into a tooth pick factory. Izzi inherited it.
Not all cats enjoy catnip just as not all humans enjoy grass.
I've been amazed, and fortunate I guess, that all the cats we've ever had seemed to know exactly what the cat tree was for and left furniture alone. I've had more trouble keeping puppies from trying to EAT the cat tree.
It's possible she likes the feel of carpet to scratch on. Cats are weird. I always found my former cat scratching any cardboard boxes I had around, not the flat corrogated scratched on the floor. So I got her one of those "incline" scratchers so she could be more upright; she seemed to like that. My local pet store sells those "carpet sample" squares in two sizes; are you able to find something similar? Mind you, I'm not certain how you'll convince her that one type of carpeting is okay to scratch on and another isn't... my guess would be that the rug she currently scratches on will need the deterrent, the "acceptable" one will need the catnip, and then your reinforcement as well (stop her from scratching on the rug you don't want her to; praise and treats when she uses the one she should).
Is it possible to take up the rugs she shouldn't use in the meantime? That might help make it more clear. As well as putting the "okay" mats in a different area that will be the "scratching area" and leave them there. Or, if there is only a specific part of your "not okay" rugs she scratches (like a certain corner), put the "okay" mats right on top of that spot?
Does she like cardboard? We had one cat that loved those cat scratch boxes made from cardboard & would ignore all other types. However I guess if you are going to let her have the current rugs that's fine too, & buy new ones down the road.
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