Post by laceylaplante on Sept 18, 2014 7:50:38 GMT -5
I'm having issues with our kitty. I'm sick of her clawing up everything except for her scratcher. I'm sick of my house smelling like ammonia. She's not going out of the box, I checked the whole house high and low yesterday. She's not covering anything in her box. Has ruined 2 rugs, scratched a huge hole in the wall, along with many other claw marks. Won't stay off the table, scratched the shit out of it. Chews everything like a fucking puppy. She has a ton of toys, gets affection and play time whenever she wants it. No health issues, she just has it out for me.
Will a large, covered box help keep my house from smelling horrible? I thought someone told me before that covered boxes are bad, but I could be wrong. We've tried 3 different litters and it doesn't matter, still smells awful. We scoop daily, and do a full litter change every 2 weeks.
One moment of weakness, and I caved in to get a pet. Am I really going to live in a stinky, effed up house for the next 10-20 years?
How large is her scratcher? She needs something taller than she can reach (make sense?). Put catnip at the base and on the different levels. They are unattractive, but better than scratched up furniture. It needs to be STURDY.
Also, try softpaws.
Petco's bulk litter is good. I also sprinkle baking powder.
What are you feeding her? I changed my cat's food and it made a world of difference with the smell.
I use a covered box for my cat. He's never had a problem with it, but I didn't use it when he was really young, only when he got a bit bigger. I think it helps the smell because he also does not cover his stuff half the time.
Cats don't like the smell of orange or citrus so maybe try something like that?
How large is her scratcher? She needs something taller than she can reach (make sense?). Put catnip at the base and on the different levels. They are unattractive, but better than scratched up furniture. It needs to be STURDY.
Also, try softpaws.
Petco's bulk litter is good. I also sprinkle baking powder.
What are you feeding her? I changed my cat's food and it made a world of difference with the smell.
She has one that's about 2ft tall and one that hangs on a doorknob.
For food we use Iams kitten and 1/2 can of Fancy Feast every now and then.
I will for sure be getting more baking soda to add daily. She needs a new litter box, hers is too small and she kicks litter all over, so should I go covered or no? Everything on Google says that covered isn't good for multiple cats, but we only have her.
1.) Try doing a full change less than every 2 weeks and sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of the box before putting new litter in. Mix some in with the litter every scooping too. 3.) Try a covered box 4.) Get a squirt bottle and squirt her with water every time you catch her on the table/scratching where she shouldn't/being an asshole. 5.) Try a different kind of scratching object. If she has a post, get a cardboard scratcher that lays down on the floor or hangs from a doorknob. 6.) If she's chewing on things like cords, there's Bitter Apple spray you can put on them that should deter her. 7.) Get a nail trimmer and trim her nails every 2ish weeks, it'll help to lessen damage if she does claw things she shouldn't.
Post by thatgirl2478 on Sept 18, 2014 8:33:42 GMT -5
Since she has one that hangs and she isn't using it, can you first try hanging it over the spot in the wall where she's scratching? Use a command hook so you don't have to put anything permanent in the wall now. If she won't use it there, she may not like scratching on something that's moving and she would be better served by an actual cat tree with a sisal post. Get a taller one, not one of those cheater $20 ones, and she'll be happier because she can climb up and get above everything (where cats like to be) which may help calm her down.
As for the litter, the best we ever found was Ever Clean at PetSmart. It's pricey, but it's worth it.
I will also recommend getting her used to having her nails trimmed and her paws handled. I did it with my cats and they are SO easy now, my Mom didn't and they are crazy beasts who won't let anyone other than the vet do it once a year!
Post by laceylaplante on Sept 18, 2014 8:35:30 GMT -5
I'll look at cat trees when I go to get her new box either today or this weekend. I know exactly where a tall one can go. I'll read some food reviews, too. I'm desperate to love her again and not see her as a fluffy pain in my ass.
She was about 8 weeks when we got her, she's about 6 months now.
The way she chews things, I worry about her chewing/choking on the soft paws, otherwise I'd be all over them.
You could always try using soft paws to cover her claws. They glue on and prevent cats from ruining anything with their nails. It might also help to get one of those electric nail filers to keep them a little more dull.
Bitter apple (or even something lemony or citrus tasting) can help with the biting and clawing as well. And I definitely second getting her a different scratcher. My cat won't touch the cardboard ones and only scratches a certain kind. We actually started putting some of this clear tape from Drs F&S onto our chairs and he has since left them alone (the stickiness really helps to deter them).
I'll look at cat trees when I go to get her new box either today or this weekend. I know exactly where a tall one can go. I'll read some food reviews, too. I'm desperate to love her again and not see her as a fluffy pain in my ass.
She was about 8 weeks when we got her, she's about 6 months now.
The way she chews things, I worry about her chewing/choking on the soft paws, otherwise I'd be all over them.
These are my own personal favorite cat trees because you can buy replacement parts. We had our first tree for like 5 years, and the sisal posts were ruined (because 2 of my cats loved to scratch the same one). We were able to keep using the rest of it for 3 ish more years before we had to replace the whole thing.
I'll look at cat trees when I go to get her new box either today or this weekend. I know exactly where a tall one can go. I'll read some food reviews, too. I'm desperate to love her again and not see her as a fluffy pain in my ass.
She was about 8 weeks when we got her, she's about 6 months now.
The way she chews things, I worry about her chewing/choking on the soft paws, otherwise I'd be all over them.
These are my own personal favorite cat trees because you can buy replacement parts. We had our first tree for like 5 years, and the sisal posts were ruined (because 2 of my cats loved to scratch the same one). We were able to keep using the rest of it for 3 ish more years before we had to replace the whole thing.
Armarkat makes amazing trees. I have one that is covered with a canvas/burlap material that is just like the chairs my cat loves to scratch. He's been busy destroying it for three years now without any issues.
We have one of those litter mats now, it helps a lot, but litter is still everywhere.
Yes, she was spayed at the humane society before we got her.
yeah, it does get everywhere. Try the high sided box - don't bother with the kind that have the high sided attachments - pee just goes in the crack and gets on the floor - nasty!
Oh and Petsmart has a 'new' litter system that consists of pellets & a tray that goes underneath to catch the urine... stay away from that! LOL - I was able to 'beta' test it years ago and it was worse than a conventional litter box with a good quality litter.
I will tell you I rescued a cat a few years ago, and he has ruined my favourite chair. I know with some of my furniture that he chose to scratch on, I put 2 sided tape on the spot he liked for a few days and it pissed him off. Sometimes I just use duct tape. I know it looks awful on furniture but it did help.
I also have many scratching posts both cardboard and carpet, and I just bought catnip spray, and a bag of catnip, and he now just scratches the heck out of the carpet one. I jsut have it on the floor and spray it daily with catnipspray and put some reg catnip on it a few times a week. That so far crossing all crossables it helps.
I used fancy feast wet and it made his poos stink to high heaven. I changed is wet food and not so bad now. Good luck I do hope you find an answer. It is so bloody frustrating to love a cat who is ruining your furniture.
I would echo everyone's comments re making the scratching pads more attractive (adding catnip) and the spray bottle for bad behavior (they associate the spraying with the behavior, not their humans).
Also, for litter, the best one I've ever used is this one: :
I have open boxes (two cats) and I swear there is no smell other than the smell of walnuts. It's a little pricier than your tidy cat/fresh step etc but works a million times better with the aforementioned odor reduction, clumping, and also doesn't have the dust issue of more traditional litters.
Next I have always used a covered box and can't imagine how much it would smell if I didn't so I definitely recommend trying it. And like a pp I also keep a Scentsy in the bathroom to help with the smell.
Ok - Here is where you will really think I am crazy, but keep in mind I live in a small place where space is at a premium. This is a little pricey but it gives my cat another place to go that isn't in the bathroom in case someone leaves the door closed by accident. This box is beautiful and I swear you smell NOTHING since everything is so contained. My cat loves it and prefers it to a regular cat box. Look around for sales, I bought it for $90 on sale and it was a great investment. www.overstock.com/Pet-Supplies/Walnut-Kitty-Condo-Bench/6531664/product.html?searchidx=5
Post by sapphireblue on Sept 18, 2014 9:30:03 GMT -5
I used to use a water spray bottle too. It worked quite well. I called it Mr. No.
The scratching sucks. My couch and chair in the living room are all messed up with scratching, as well as my antique grandfather clock.
I try to put good scratching posts next to all of these pieces of furniture, as well as jumping points for my one cat who is a terrible jumper. So a kitchen chair is permanently by the counter so she can jump up there and then up to the counter (I feed them up there bc I also have dogs that would eat their food if it was on the floor).
Do you have a basement? I have four litter boxes but they are all in the basement which of course is great for keeping the smell from the parts of the house I live in. First place I've been able to do that in. Oh, also my exH has had luck with some of those sprays like Bitter Apple to keep the cats away from certain furniture.
This is by far the best scratching post I have found. We have 3 of them and my cats love them.
When you do a full litter change, try soaking the box with some warm water and bleach and scrubbing it good before you put new litter in it. I volunteer at a shelter and that is what we do, and I also do it at home. Helps a ton with freshness and smell.
How large is her scratcher? She needs something taller than she can reach (make sense?). Put catnip at the base and on the different levels. They are unattractive, but better than scratched up furniture. It needs to be STURDY.
Also, try softpaws.
Petco's bulk litter is good. I also sprinkle baking powder.
What are you feeding her? I changed my cat's food and it made a world of difference with the smell.
Oh and Petsmart has a 'new' litter system that consists of pellets & a tray that goes underneath to catch the urine... stay away from that! LOL - I was able to 'beta' test it years ago and it was worse than a conventional litter box with a good quality litter.
This? We love ours, no smell and no litter everywhere.