Cat damage

[WILLWONKER]

My daughter moved into a house some two years ago and the previous owners abanded there cat,so the cat kept coming to the back door to be let in, after a time my daughter feeling sorry for her let her in and has been feeding her and doing her best to look after her, but the cat is very distructive and she feels that this can no longer go on, she has a scrachpost but seems intent on ripping wallpaper off the walls, she as tried everything including sprays, but she now has to go, any suggestions would be helpfull.

[boxtops]

I feel sorry for your daughter but even sorrier for the cat. I suspect that the ripping and scratching is to do with previous scents. Some cats do scratch everything, I am lucky in that mine only pick carpets. Is the cat bored? or is it attention-seeking? I know mine pick when they are trying to attract our attention. If she has to rehome her, do seek a reputable place to advertise her - Cats Protection League or similar can help. The poor cat must have been very confused when her owners left, but she ought to be settling down by now, does she get a lot of fussing and cuddling to make her feel wanted?

[welshlibranr]

My cat never scratches anyuthing but his scratch post, we,ve had him since he was about 8 weeeks old, he get lots of cuddles and love, and is very secure and happy, this poor cat has not had that start in life!............very sad!.............if your daughter cannot cope any longer, I hope this cat find a long term home...............

[ttfn]

Have you thought about getting the cat's claws clipped? Damage limitation...
I used to do so for all my cats - never had problems with them causing any damage in the home and they were all rescues, bar one.

[WILLWONKER]

She does get fuss, and sleeps on their bed with them at night, but in saying that she has never been a very friendly, but they have but up with that, my daughter does not what to give her pu but they are trying to make a nice home, as regards to previous sent she is scraching all the new decor, and did with the old.

[237SJ]

My mum`s cat scratches things when she`s attention seeking and being ignored. When she lived the other side of the country and I used to go and visit, the cat used to scratch my bedroom door in the night because she wanted to come in. If I ignored her she would scratch the wallpaper and carpets out of frustration. She wasn`t interested in a scratching post. I don`t think there`s much you can do about it to be honest.

[Eve]

Poor puss! All our cats, from back home and my own, have been rescue cats and I've never had a problem with them scatching. They use their scratchpost and claw the carpet a little though more to keep their claws in check.

Maybe she is trying to assert a stamp on her territory, especially after being abandoned and new humans moving into her home. Could also be unhappiness and/or attention seeking. I'd have thought getting her scent about would be more territorial.

Could she have limited access to only where there is minimal damage that can be done eg wallpaper free areas? Maybe teach her that if she is destructive that her reign of the house is limited, teach her that way.

Maybe her own cosy owned space (wallpaper at will :)) as well such as a special cat den in a shed (or somewhere else warm and sheltered) with access for her? Give her some sense of territory back (though cats are notorious for picking their own and changing at will).

If it's a big problem then, as above, have her rehomed properly through a reputable organisation, maybe continue to "foster" her until a new home is found to keep space free in the local cats homes for other deserving moggies.

[WILLWONKER]

I would like to thank you all for your input so far and have read all your comments such a lot to read and take in. would just like to say that we have had cats over the years, and still have two, who where ferial cats so we do understand a lot of the ups and downs of having cats, but we are really don't know what to do with this one ,but to all you cat lovers out there we will do our best for the cat.

[jomifl]

Cat protection league will take it away and find it a good home.

[wolf63]

I am sorry to hear about the trouble that your daughter is having with the cat. She obviously has become attached to the cat and has given it a chance to settle in.

The cats protection are a good charity but ask your daughter to be honest about the cat's hobby. I would hate for it to find a new home only to start taking their wallpaper off the walls too. That said a new home may be more suitable for her - it may be quieter/busier, near roads/more remote or even have other cats in the vicinity or she may be the only cat for miles around. There are so many things that stress a cat out and make them unhappy.

Try - http://www.fabcats.org/

[CatGirl4]

Have she tried plug in Feliway?it can sometimes help to calm cats,i wonder if she has plenty to occupy her.