We got our 2 kittens home at the weekend, and my goodness - what a pair! I've never come across kittens as energetic as they are. They're highly suspicious of any new room, running back to their 'safe area' whenever they hear a noise...gradually getting braver, though.

We did a fair bit of research into how to prevent cats from doing this or that, and channelling their instincts into more constructive areas. For instance, I have double-sided tape to prevent them from scratching the furniture and catnip spray that will (hopefully) make them more inclined to use their post.

I didn't envisage them scratching the carpet though, and it's obviously impractical to put double-sided tape on that! Does anyone have any ideas on how to make this unattractive to them? We have a couple of scratching mats, so we'd ideally want them to use that!

the problem i can see that if you put something on the carpet that will stop them scratching there, you risk getting them scared of the carpet!

i think you are just gonna really need to work with the positive reinforcement thang when they use the scratch posts....

Mine also scratch the carpets and the problem is that they don't have a favourite spot, they scratch it wherever they happen to be. They also use the scratching posts and mat so it's not that they don't have other places to scratch. I haven't really found a solution except to try and distract them when they do it. The kittens do it much more than Dolly so I'm hoping they'll grow out of it.

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Ah, OK. I was worried that would be the case! To be honest, I'd rather it was the carpet than the furniture...you can always get a rug for the carpet.

I'll let you know if any solution works...I tried thumping my hand onto the ground next to them once, but they just attacked my hand.

Thanks for the input, as always!

hi andy, welcome to the forum
your best bet is to catch them in the act as often as possible. don't tell them off, they don't respond well to it & may become scared as they won't know what they've done wrong.
if you see one doing it, pick them up quickly & put them on the scratch post...scratch your own nails while praising lots & they'll realise it's fun to do.
hopefully after doing this continually they'll get bored of keep being moved & learn to go only to the post to scratch.

I have a fab pic in my head of Ren scratching her nails each time they do it - micro nails on her and a tufty carpet - lol

I find giving Buubles pssst noise and a quick 'put him on the scratch post' works. I havent seen him doing it recently but then again, I work full time (quick scan of the living room carpet - seems fine, will check rest of house in due course).

Our bed has a suade (sorry about spelling) head board. Bubbles climbed up it last night and Colin freaked out. I pointed out that Bengals claws are really fine (15 weeks) and they are more like velcro so he wouldnt leave any holes. Thankfully he didnt, Colin (not used to cats) was so reassured (giggle) that although he isnt convinced, he is taking a view and not freaking every time Bubbles exercises his lovely long piano fingers (and claws - lol).

I find it wonderfull when I hear the noise of Bubbles on his scrath post that I trill with delight. Does he do it there to please me?

[img][img]http://i33.tinypic.com/flk741.jpg[/img][/img]

we only have carpet on the stairs, the rest of the house is laminate flooring, i have noticed one of the cats does scratch at the carpet, i havnt found out which one it is yet, but they havent caused any great damage so i just leave them alone, as i clip their claws i feel they wont cause much damage anyway.

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Hestia Gone but not forgotten, RIP sweet princess.
Zeus Gone but not forgotten, RIP big fella, our Nookie bear.

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"After scolding one's cat one looks into its face and is seized by the ugly suspicion that it understood every word. And has filed it for reference."

My carpet looks worse every day, especially the hallway right outside my bedroom. That's ok though as I'm just looking for an excuse (and the time) to rip it out and refinish the hardwood floor underneath. So essentially the cats are just helping along by getting a headstart on the ripping-out step. Smart beasts.

(I'm a little worried about what else they might plug at once the carpet is gone... They do have lots of other scratch boards and posts and even hand-me-down furniture to scratch on, but carpet plugging seems to be too much fun.)

I've had a minor breakthrough...a couple of cheap Ikea rugs (the £1 variety) seem to be much more interesting to scratch at. The carpet still gets it a bit (and of course I can't comment on what happens when we're working) but they seem to concentrate more on the rug...

Photos will be forthcoming very soon - still need to get them to stop MOVING, lol!!