HELP--my cat is destroying my carpet!

Hi all,

My cat is about 2 1/2 years, and in the last couple of months he's
started to claw and chew on the carpeted stairs. He mainly goes after
the top stair, and since we have a split-level house that's 3 stairs
in all that he is absolutely hell-bent on destroying. He's constantly
clawing (as if it's a scratching post--yes, he has one of those, right
next to the stairs!) and "playing" with the stairs, and even biting on
them. Unfortunately this is a rental house, so we cannot just rip out
the carpet and replace with hardwood (which would be our choice, if
the choice were ours to make). Over the last couple of weeks this
behavior has gotten WORSE--we're actually going to have to hire
someone to come and repair the carpet as best as possible, but we're
also worried about this behavior continuing. Can anybody make some
suggestions? I've tried spraying the bitter apple stuff on the
stairs, and it doesn't stop him--I've also tried the stuff that you're
supposed to spray on the furniture to keep cats off of it, and that
didn't do any good either--in fact I think it made him claw and chew
even more than before. We're just about to take him to have him de-
clawed, but would like to avoid that if possible because we know
that's pretty cruel, and he likes to go outside...plus de-clawing will
not necessarily stop the chewing (although I have a feeling that if he
cannot "hug" the stair with all his claws, then he'll be less inclined
to chew on it). Has anybody had any success getting a cat to stop
clawing/chewing, especially after they SHOULD have already outgrown
such behavior?

TIA-

avsfan

"Peg" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi all,

My cat is about 2 1/2 years, and in the last couple of months he's
started to claw and chew on the carpeted stairs.

Has it never occurred to you to clip his claws?

Jesus.

on Sun, 04 Feb 2007 01:35:38 GMT, "cybercat" wrote:

Has it never occurred to you to clip his claws?

Exactly.

Keep them trimmed short and he won't be able to do so much damage. You
could also cover the carpet with a stair runner, made of either vinyl or
carpet. Staple it to the floor and remove it when you move. You could
also try using a scat mat, or shaking a can of coins at the cat when he
does this. You have a whole host of options available to you, and none of
them involve mutilating your cat.

--
Lynne

On Feb 3, 5:25 pm, "Peg" wrote:
(as if it's a scratching post--yes, he has one of those, right
next to the stairs!) and "playing" with the stairs, and even biting on
them.

Move the scratching post away from the stairs, spray/coat the
scratching post with catnip to attract him to it.

I agree, cover the steps with vinyl runner or even those sticky tapes
for awhile to deter him from scratching here.

and he likes to go outside

Please dont .. keep him inside unless you tend to him on a leash
outside.
Cats in our part of CA get eaten as a snack by the coyotes or racoons
(and we arent in the 'country' either but in a city area).
Heartbreaking to see posters for 'lost' dogs and cats when you know
they arent 'lost' but eaten.


joanne

On Feb 3, 6:35 pm, "cybercat" wrote:
"Peg" wrote in message

oups.com...

Hi all,

My cat is about 2 1/2 years, and in the last couple of months he's
started to claw and chew on the carpeted stairs.

Has it never occurred to you to clip his claws?

Jesus.

Name's not "Jesus" but thanks anyways. Especially for being so
helpful yet not sarcastic or rude at all. Very enlightening. Much
appreciated.

avsfan

On Feb 3, 6:35 pm, "cybercat" wrote:
"Peg" wrote in message

oups.com...

Hi all,

My cat is about 2 1/2 years, and in the last couple of months he's
started to claw and chew on the carpeted stairs.

Has it never occurred to you to clip his claws?

Jesus.

BTW--since you seem to be so knowledgeable and polite--how exactly
will trimming his claws stop him from chewing on the carpet? Should I
trim his teeth as well?

avsfan

On Feb 3, 6:45 pm, Lynne wrote:
on Sun, 04 Feb 2007 01:35:38 GMT, "cybercat" wrote:

Has it never occurred to you to clip his claws?

Exactly.

Keep them trimmed short and he won't be able to do so much damage. You
could also cover the carpet with a stair runner, made of either vinyl or
carpet. Staple it to the floor and remove it when you move. You could
also try using a scat mat, or shaking a can of coins at the cat when he
does this. You have a whole host of options available to you, and none of
them involve mutilating your cat.

--
Lynne

Well, yes, I'm actually looking for the "whole host of options" here.
So far I've read "trim his claws" (will not keep him from chewing on
the carpet); shake a can of coins at him during behavior (have tried
this approach, but cannot watch him every second of every day); and
cover carpet with a stair runner--this is perhaps the best option
presented yet. As for the rest of the "host" of options???

avsfan

"Peg" wrote

Name's not "Jesus" but thanks anyways. Especially for being so
helpful yet not sarcastic or rude at all. Very enlightening. Much
appreciated.

Well, GD, you are talking about having the last joints of her
digits hacked off, and you have not even bothered to try
clipping her claws??

Why?

"Peg" wrote in message
oups.com...
On Feb 3, 6:45 pm, Lynne wrote:
on Sun, 04 Feb 2007 01:35:38 GMT, "cybercat"
wrote:

Has it never occurred to you to clip his claws?

Exactly.

Keep them trimmed short and he won't be able to do so much damage. You
could also cover the carpet with a stair runner, made of either vinyl or
carpet. Staple it to the floor and remove it when you move. You could
also try using a scat mat, or shaking a can of coins at the cat when he
does this. You have a whole host of options available to you, and none
of
them involve mutilating your cat.

--
Lynne

Well, yes, I'm actually looking for the "whole host of options" here.
So far I've read "trim his claws" (will not keep him from chewing on
the carpet); shake a can of coins at him during behavior (have tried
this approach, but cannot watch him every second of every day); and
cover carpet with a stair runner--this is perhaps the best option
presented yet. As for the rest of the "host" of options???


You want a lot, don't you, bitch.

"Peg" wrote

BTW--since you seem to be so knowledgeable and polite--how exactly
will trimming his claws stop him from chewing on the carpet? Should I
trim his teeth as well?


Google is your friend, genius. Google this group using keywords.

Your cat needs more attention and more toys. You can spray the
area with any number of repellants, or you can create your own
using a citrus-scented spray. Some believe in bitter apple, and
spray it on their wiring, carpets, etc.

If you want a friendlier response, try not mentioning declawing
when you have not even ****ing bothered to cut the cat's claws.

It just rubs people who like cats the wrong way.

It's kind of natural, when you think about it.

Kind of like, people who like dogs might get annoyed if
you talked about hacking off the last joints of the dogs
toes before you had ever taken him to get his nails clipped.

HTH. HANN.