OK if you like shagpile!

[Shawrie]

My cat likes to claw at the stair carpet, in our last house she liteally turned it to shag pile! She doesn't claw anywhere else and I've sprayed the area with repellent and used lemon shake & vac which I'm told cats hate but no joy....has anyone got any ideas on how to stop her! We've moved into a brand new house and I want to keep the carpet hole free! Thanks!

[freak_unique]

sounds just like one of my kittens! I dont know the answer but could do with some ideas myself!!!

[iheartruby]

everytime you see them doing it, gently squirt them with some kind of water pistol/gun. They should learn to associate pulling the carpet with a squirt and eventually stop. i know this is difficult as you can't follow your cat everywhere but it's a start.
they do have to sharpen their claws somewhere tho......
good luck

[plowter]

Cats need to scratch stuff but it's not to sharpen their claws. Their claws grow and they need to get rid of the outer layer - you've probably seen these lying about. There is also a territorial issue and they're marking their spot. It may be a lovely new home to you, but to a cat it's literally unknown territory.

First of all how does you cat scratch? Do they scratch horizontally (ie. the flat of the stair in front of them) or do they scratch vertically (ie. the side or edge of the stair above them)? To a cat, a carpeted stair is a great activity centre.

Cats have different scratching preferences so you need to provide a suitable alternative. Some cats like vertical scratching posts, some like ripping apart sisal floor mats. A common problem with most scratching posts is that they're too small for adult cats. There is a jumbo scratching post available called the 'ANCOL Fat Boy'.

Some cats don't like the sisal string used on cat scratching posts. You could try using the felt underlay on the underside of carpets. Rub in some catnip to make it interesting.

Lastly, you could try the hierarchy thing. Praise them for using the right place and shout at them for using the wrong place. They won't understand but will rationalise it in terms of territory - yours and theirs.

Good luck.

[Shawrie]

Thanks to all who responded especially to Plowter!! Unfortunately I have no idea how she scratches as I only hear her at night and by the time I've flown out bed armed with my water gun...she's moved just as quickly and got out through the cat flap!!! Re scratching posts ....she has a variety from upright with string to horizontal with carpet....al heavily laden with catnip which she loves rubbing up against but that's where the relationship ends! It's strange as she doesn't do it anywhere else.....but as you no doubt can gather ...the stair carpet is the worst possible place to get a carpet ruined AND the whole house has the same cream carpet!! ...the battle continues!

[someonesgirl]

put deoderant bottle lids on her feet and selotape them to her legs......at least it would become entertaining to watch.