Why do cats always rip up everything?

[kittycatgirl]

Why do cats rip up everything? Ripping at the couch with a scaraching post right next to it. They scarach at everything except the one they're supposed to! It's unbelieveable! Does anyone know why?:confused. :confused:

[Amanda]

Hi Kittycatgirl and welcome to the board! I used to have that problem with my cats too. What I found worked for them was the big "cat tree". I bought one last year for my 3 cats and they love it. They tear it up all the time and by looking at the cat tree (it's the big ones that goes all the way to the ceiling, with several levels) you wouldn't believe it's only a year old! I think I'm going to have to recarpet it soon ... but it saved my other furniture from being ripped open. Also, I noticed that they scratch more when their nails are long ... so just make sure that you give them a nail trim all the time. Good luck.

[kittycatgirl]

Hi Amanda,
I bought a couple 1 story condos and a 3 story too. They scarach at it quite a bit but they still enjoy to scarach the couch. I guess I will have to try one of those "cat trees" and hopefully they will enjoy it as much as your cats. Thanks.

[LavenderCat]

Cats like to mark their territory and also leave their scent on objects by scratching with their claws, it is an inborn instinct that will even continue if you declaw, they will still stretch and try to claw with their nubbs and mark their territory. They also need to stretch their toes and flex those muscles in their feet that is another reason why they will do that. It can be helped sometimes if you place the post right next to the furniture, also some cats do not like carpet covered posts.There are sisal posts and cardboard ones too. Maybe you could try different types of posts ... some of my cats like sisal, some like cardboard. good luck to you, LavenderCat

[JOULESMOM]

kittycatgirl,

have u tried to put catnip on the scratching post. it works as kind of a positive reinforcement. also if you praise them when they are using the post they may even the idea that it is okay to use that item.

good luck

[kittycatgirl]

Hi, I've tried praising them but, I'll try the catnip too. Thanks. :p

[kiwizepp]

I finally bought one of those cat tree's as well..they have ripped it to shreds and love sleeping on it...I had to put it out in the main area so they would use it. I have also found that if you keep their claws clipped short (I have to do it every other day) that helps too..because they can't dig into the furniture as much. That "sticky paws" double sided tape has worked some too..you put it on the corners of your furniture and their paws stick to it...it annoys them and they usually give up.