I've had kittens before..........but none like these little devils!!:sigh

They are acting up so bad, I've kinda renamed Salem, Satan!!

Ok so they are ruining my beautiful furniture, that I'll be paying off for the next 5 years!

I've got them toys......so many toys.....and 2 scratching posts........that I've sprayed catnip all over......and I've also sprayed my furniture with the stuff that is supposed to keep them away......but it doesn't- they just sniff it and continue to wreck my leather lounge (:tears)

I refuse to declaw them, I find that terribly inhumane, so I tried the "softclaws" and they just fell off in half a day! I do admit, that they worked while they were on! BUT THEY FELL OFF!

This is getting so expensive- I bought 2 packs of the softclaws, which was 40 bucks. The toys are like 100 bucks worth..petco is so expensive! And if you add in my brand new leather couch..that now has about 15 major slashes in it- I've burned 4600 bucks this week :tears

Girls, I'm getting DESPERATE. I've tried everything that I know of, and it still isn't working. They are now starting to claw my beautiful wooden furniture, and also my dining set because it has the suede seats.

HELP ME PLEASE!!!!!!!!!! :hairout :vent

You sprayed Catnip spray on your furniture????? They are ATTRACTED to catnip... It makes them bonkers...

Did you clip their nails? I usually get a regular nail clipper and clip the tips off. Also try getting a spray bottle and when they scratch something say "NO" and then spray them. :shrug

You sprayed Catnip spray on your furniture????? They are ATTRACTED to catnip... It makes them bonkers...

I think she put catnip around their scratching posts and sprayed the keep away stuff on the furniture. ;)

I think she put catnip around their scratching posts and spraked the keep away stuff on the furniture. ;)
:rofl I totally read that wrong :rofl

I agree - clip their nails.

Also, get a spray bottle of water and when you see them scratching things they aren't supposed to, spray them.

You sprayed Catnip spray on your furniture????? They are ATTRACTED to catnip... It makes them bonkers...

LOL no- I have 2 sprays. Catnip for the toys, and that "scratch off" stuff to keep them away. I used that stuff for the furniture :lmao

I'd go with what =Mrs.AiNokeA= said..spray them in the face when they do something bad and say NO. They probably learned that behavior from their mother or if other cats were around. Our 3 month old kittens are pretty well behaved..they use the scratching post and we've only had to spray them in the face a couple times. If they keep going at your furniture maybe those plastic covers would help? I got this info off a forum I just googled for. Maybe it will help. I'm sorry they're being such little terrors! Since they seem like such tough cases I'd definitely go with the vinegar in the water and spray them on the nose idea. All that is below. :hugs Hopefully you're able to figure SOMETHING out. :hugs

"Fact 1: Cats hate water.
Fact 2: Cats are easily startled.
Fact 3: When a cat is startled, he will usually stop what he’s doing.

When you see kitty sinking her claws into your favorite couch, reach for a spray bottle filled with ordinary water. The shock of sudden wetness usually stops a cat in her tracks, and eventually, if you do it consistently enough, your cat will associate the unpleasant sensation with the scratching behavior. For a really tough case, put just a few drops of vinegar into the spray bottle and aim for kitty’s nose. It doesn’t hurt them, but the strong smell annoys them. (Another Askviller suggested this, and it worked for my kitten.)

Cats do need to scratch, however, and there are tons of great products out there designed for this purpose. When kitty discovers he does not get the spray bottle when he scratches on his special scratching post or pad, he’ll get the idea.

Another alternative, though less effective, is to purchase a product that contains natural ingredients cats are averse to. I’ve had limited success with these kinds of products, but if you’re leaving the house for awhile, it might be worth a try.

I have never used nail caps on my kitties, but I’ve got friends who have had marginal success with them. They are tedious and difficult to put on (I would actually recommend going to a groomer or a vet to do this) and they often fall off.

Whatever you do, DON’T DECLAW. Declawing is a cruel and unnecessary surgery that leaves your cat mutilated and defenseless for the rest of her life. It’s completely illegal in some countries."

This may be helpful.


Lesson 6- How to get Kitty to prefer the post.
Remember that an important part of scratching is the cat's desire to mark a territory, so a scratching post should be in an area that's used by the family, not hidden in a back corner. After a time you can move the post away to the periphery of the room, but you'll need to do this gradually.

Initially, put the post where your cat goes to scratch. This may be by a sofa, a chair or wherever Kitty has chosen as her territiory, and you may need more than one post to cover her favorite spots. Security is a major factor in making the post appealing to your cat. If it topples or shakes, she won't use it. It should either be secured to the floor or have a base wide enough and heavy enough to keep it stable.

Encourage Kitty to use her post with clever enticements. Feed her and play with her by the post. Rub dried catnip leaves or powder into it. Make all the asssociations with the post pleasurable. Reward her with a favorite treat when she uses it. Have her chase a string or a toy around the post or attach toys to it, which will result in her digging her claws into it. Eventually she will learn to love it and regard it as her own. It's also a good idea to put a post where Kitty sleeps. Cats like to scratch when they awaken, especially in the morning and the middle of the night. If space permits, a scratching post in every room of the house is a cat's delight. The most important place is the area of the house in which you and Kitty spend the most time. I have many sisal posts in my house, yet often in the morning my cats line up to use the one in the living room.

If at first Kitty is reluctant to give up her old scratching areas, there are means you can use to discourage her. Covering the area with aluminum foil or double-sided tape is a great deterrent. These surfaces don't have a texture that feels good to scratch.

Remember too that Kitty has marked her favorite spots with her scent as well as her claws. You may need to remove her scent from the areas you want to distract her away from. You will find pet odor removers in pet stores and many supermarkets as well.

Cats have an aversion to citrus odors. Use lemon-scented sprays or a potpourri of lemon and orange peels to make her former scratching sites less agreeable to her.

If Kitty still persists in scratching the furniture, try squirting her with a water gun or a spray bottle set on stream. Another option is a loud whistle or other noise-maker. You must employ these deterrents while she is scratching for them to be effective. The point is to establish an aversion to the spot you don't want her to scratch.

Did you clip their nails? I usually get a regular nail clipper and clip the tips off. Also try getting a spray bottle and when they scratch something say "NO" and then spray them. :shrug

Yep, I clipped their nails before I put the soft claws on them. About 4 days ago. How long does it take for them to grow back? They arn't that long, or sharp.

Ugh maybe I need to file them more or something...

I'm totally running out of ideas lol..

:rofl I totally read that wrong :rofl

I agree - clip their nails.

Also, get a spray bottle of water and when you see them scratching things they aren't supposed to, spray them.

I agree. If they're hard headed like my cats were, it may take them a bit to realize they're gonna get sprayed with water when they're doing something wrong. But they will eventually.

Are you sure you put enough glue in the soft claws? Also, did you trim their nails before applying them? It sounds like you didn't since they fell off. :dunno I use softpaws which are different and made by a vet. I think they are $18 a box. I have to agree with a previous poster that even though you sprayed catnip on the cat furniture it will still make them crazy so it's probably not helping. Mine are pretty good, but they are cats so I expect a certain amount of them clawing and me yelling and/or spraying them with a squirt bottle to occur. Maybe you should find them a new home and get an older cat that has mellowed out more instead?

I'd go with what =Mrs.AiNokeA= said..spray them in the face when they do something bad and say NO. They probably learned that behavior from their mother or if other cats were around. Our 3 month old kittens are pretty well behaved..they use the scratching post and we've only had to spray them in the face a couple times. If they keep going at your furniture maybe those plastic covers would help? I got this info off a forum I just googled for. Maybe it will help. I'm sorry they're being such little terrors! Since they seem like such tough cases I'd definitely go with the vinegar in the water and spray them on the nose idea. All that is below. :hugs Hopefully you're able to figure SOMETHING out. :hugs

"Fact 1: Cats hate water.
Fact 2: Cats are easily startled.
Fact 3: When a cat is startled, he will usually stop what he’s doing.

When you see kitty sinking her claws into your favorite couch, reach for a spray bottle filled with ordinary water. The shock of sudden wetness usually stops a cat in her tracks, and eventually, if you do it consistently enough, your cat will associate the unpleasant sensation with the scratching behavior. For a really tough case, put just a few drops of vinegar into the spray bottle and aim for kitty’s nose. It doesn’t hurt them, but the strong smell annoys them. (Another Askviller suggested this, and it worked for my kitten.)

Cats do need to scratch, however, and there are tons of great products out there designed for this purpose. When kitty discovers he does not get the spray bottle when he scratches on his special scratching post or pad, he’ll get the idea.

Another alternative, though less effective, is to purchase a product that contains natural ingredients cats are averse to. I’ve had limited success with these kinds of products, but if you’re leaving the house for awhile, it might be worth a try.

I have never used nail caps on my kitties, but I’ve got friends who have had marginal success with them. They are tedious and difficult to put on (I would actually recommend going to a groomer or a vet to do this) and they often fall off.

Whatever you do, DON’T DECLAW. Declawing is a cruel and unnecessary surgery that leaves your cat mutilated and defenseless for the rest of her life. It’s completely illegal in some countries."

This may be helpful.
Lesson 6- How to get Kitty to prefer the post.
Remember that an important part of scratching is the cat's desire to mark a territory, so a scratching post should be in an area that's used by the family, not hidden in a back corner. After a time you can move the post away to the periphery of the room, but you'll need to do this gradually.

Initially, put the post where your cat goes to scratch. This may be by a sofa, a chair or wherever Kitty has chosen as her territiory, and you may need more than one post to cover her favorite spots. Security is a major factor in making the post appealing to your cat. If it topples or shakes, she won't use it. It should either be secured to the floor or have a base wide enough and heavy enough to keep it stable.

Encourage Kitty to use her post with clever enticements. Feed her and play with her by the post. Rub dried catnip leaves or powder into it. Make all the asssociations with the post pleasurable. Reward her with a favorite treat when she uses it. Have her chase a string or a toy around the post or attach toys to it, which will result in her digging her claws into it. Eventually she will learn to love it and regard it as her own. It's also a good idea to put a post where Kitty sleeps. Cats like to scratch when they awaken, especially in the morning and the middle of the night. If space permits, a scratching post in every room of the house is a cat's delight. The most important place is the area of the house in which you and Kitty spend the most time. I have many sisal posts in my house, yet often in the morning my cats line up to use the one in the living room.

If at first Kitty is reluctant to give up her old scratching areas, there are means you can use to discourage her. Covering the area with aluminum foil or double-sided tape is a great deterrent. These surfaces don't have a texture that feels good to scratch.

Remember too that Kitty has marked her favorite spots with her scent as well as her claws. You may need to remove her scent from the areas you want to distract her away from. You will find pet odor removers in pet stores and many supermarkets as well.

Cats have an aversion to citrus odors. Use lemon-scented sprays or a potpourri of lemon and orange peels to make her former scratching sites less agreeable to her.

If Kitty still persists in scratching the furniture, try squirting her with a water gun or a spray bottle set on stream. Another option is a loud whistle or other noise-maker. You must employ these deterrents while she is scratching for them to be effective. The point is to establish an aversion to the spot you don't want her to scratch.

:D they helped thanks!! I'm going to fill a spray bottle now. I'll get these little suckers. And I had no idea odour removers took away the scent so that cat cant smell it either!

I just found this link to something about "kitten training". That might help too. http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/343-01032008-1465325.html :hugs

Are you sure you put enough glue in the soft claws? Also, did you trim their nails before applying them? It sounds like you didn't since they fell off. :dunno I use softpaws which are different and made by a vet. I think they are $18 a box. I have to agree with a previous poster that even though you sprayed catnip on the cat furniture it will still make them crazy so it's probably not helping. Mine are pretty good, but they are cats so I expect a certain amount of them clawing and me yelling and/or spraying them with a squirt bottle to occur. Maybe you should find them a new home and get an older cat that has mellowed out more instead?

I didn't spray catnip on the furniture lol. And yep- I clipped them and followed the instructions. Clip nails, fill to 1/3 with glue, apply, hold.. etc

If I can't handle these kittens, I'll find them a new home. But I really don't want to do that because they already had a home, and then I got them because she couldn't take care of them anymore. I've had kittens before, so I thought I could handle it.

LOL @ your kitty plight.

A long long time ago I had 2 young kittens (maybe 3 months old) and tey destroyed the house so they got thrown out. LOL (This was when I stll lived at home - my Dad said "bye" ... ticked me OFF!)

I'd suggest to seperate them completely from the rest of the house for a while. Give them a room or a big closet - put up a pet-gate that they can't climb over. Give them all the ammenities they need (toys, food, litterbox, etc) and then train them what to play with and what NOT to play with by giving them toys and a scratch post - make sure they know it's ok to use that - and then a piece of furniture (a pillow or something they'd love to sink their claws into) Don't leave the pillow in there allthe time, only when you're training them.
When they start to go after the pillow or whatever use your deterrent (spray or just a pick up-relocate) and encourage them to use what they CAN scratch/play with.

Ditch the catnip - true, you aren't putting it ON the furniture but it is a drug - it gets into their system and affects their behavior. And it doesn't just affect their behavior when it comes to what you've sprayed it on - they'll take that wild fling it gives them and put it to anyone and anything that tickles their fancy. My old cat would harass the livingroom rug - even tore holes in it - when she was doped up on Catnip.
Kittens don't need the energy buzz - they need calming spray. LOL

If you seperate and give them ok items, first...and then successfully get them to redirect their energy to that and that alone no matter what else is around then I'd hope that would help.

But we'retalking about some kittens - a lot of their wiley ways are because tey're together (2 = trouble) and they're just so young. By the time the seperation/training method works on cats they've grown out of it LOL.

I'm sure you'll do great taking care of them. :hugs They are kittens and grow quickly, but I've used soft paws since mine were kittens without a problem. :dunno

I know you didn't spray it on your furniture. I meant you sprayed catnip on the kitten's stuff. It will still make them go bonkers in the house. Think of it as pot. If you are in a house where someone is smokin a blunt, just because you don't inhale doesn't mean you won't get a contact high, kwim? :wink :giggle It's in the house. No matter where they go it's still in the air for them to inhale.

:rofl I totally read that wrong :rofl

I agree - clip their nails.

Also, get a spray bottle of water and when you see them scratching things they aren't supposed to, spray them.

I was just about to suggest the water bottle. Consistently use it and it will get to where you just have to shake that bottle and they'll scatter. Works like a charm.. :)

LOL @ your kitty plight.

A long long time ago I had 2 young kittens (maybe 3 months old) and tey destroyed the house so they got thrown out. LOL (This was when I stll lived at home - my Dad said "bye" ... ticked me OFF!)

I'd suggest to seperate them completely from the rest of the house for a while. Give them a room or a big closet - put up a pet-gate that they can't climb over. Give them all the ammenities they need (toys, food, litterbox, etc) and then train them what to play with and what NOT to play with by giving them toys and a scratch post - make sure they know it's ok to use that - and then a piece of furniture (a pillow or something they'd love to sink their claws into) Don't leave the pillow in there allthe time, only when you're training them.
When they start to go after the pillow or whatever use your deterrent (spray or just a pick up-relocate) and encourage them to use what they CAN scratch/play with.

Ditch the catnip - true, you aren't putting it ON the furniture but it is a drug - it gets into their system and affects their behavior. And it doesn't just affect their behavior when it comes to what you've sprayed it on - they'll take that wild fling it gives them and put it to anyone and anything that tickles their fancy. My old cat would harass the livingroom rug - even tore holes in it - when she was doped up on Catnip.
Kittens don't need the energy buzz - they need calming spray. LOL

If you seperate and give them ok items, first...and then successfully get them to redirect their energy to that and that alone no matter what else is around then I'd hope that would help.

But we'retalking about some kittens - a lot of their wiley ways are because tey're together (2 = trouble) and they're just so young. By the time the seperation/training method works on cats they've grown out of it LOL.

Thanks! I may put them in the spare bedroom tonight (which is pretty much empty) and put all their stuff in it. These kittens are like 16 weeks or something, so they picked up bad habits from their old owner (like going to the bathroom in the bathTUB).. but that's been pretty easy to take care of. It's just them being a pair of little trouble makers that bugs me.

I just walked into the bathroom and the toilet paper was all over the room. LOL that I can handle, it made me laugh cos they were both lying there in it. Tired out, I imagine.

I'm sure you'll do great taking care of them. :hugs They are kittens and grow quickly, but I've used soft paws since mine were kittens without a problem. :dunno

I know you didn't spray it on your furniture. I meant you sprayed catnip on the kitten's stuff. It will still make them go bonkers in the house. Think of it as pot. If you are in a house where someone is smokin a blunt, just because you don't inhale doesn't mean you won't get a contact high, kwim? :wink :giggle It's in the house. No matter where they go it's still in the air for them to inhale.

I had heard that once, that catnip was actually the worst thing for them.. but usually everyone swears by it!

Ugh water bottle it is lol.

Good luck, I'm still trying to get mine to quit using my flower pots as a litter box.

we used to use balloons on our cat. worked like a charm we tied a balloon to where he was scratching ( very close so if he scratches he will pop it) and he didn't scratch again. that and water bottles work well too.

How old are your kittens? Young kittens once they start running they get very curious and very hyper. Like said before, I would put them in a separate room and only let them out under your supervision. If they are destroying your furniture do not let them get on it. At the second they jump on it spray them. If they start scratching somewhere where you don't want them to, grab them and take them to where they are allow to do so. They are babies and are learning (L)

Hopefully seperation works out! Never hurts to try - and you can go in there and cuddle with them as much as you want, of course..and a good kitty doesn't have to stay in there ALL the time but it's definately useful.

My old cat (had her for 13 years) had to be trained this way. In the beginning she was a bit wild and tore things up - scratching the furniture was the big issue - and so my mom told me "get that cat under control or she's out, too!" LOL
So I kept her in my room and spent a lot of time "no" ... "yes" ... and all that kind of stuff. Worked, though! Soon after she was allowed in the entire house without much of an issue.

Oh, though for a while she did have the issue of ONLY listening to me. LOL by seperating her and being the only one wit her I was the only person she'd mind and my Mom never liked that. LOL!

I was just about to suggest the water bottle. Consistently use it and it will get to where you just have to shake that bottle and they'll scatter. Works like a charm.. :)

:yes I used that on my kitty when she was younger and all I had to do was turn it in her direction (not even pick it up just turn it) and she would stop and run away. :lmao I don't need to use it anymore though she is sooooo good. :lovestruck

we used to use balloons on our cat. worked like a charm we tied a balloon to where he was scratching ( very close so if he scratches he will pop it) and he didn't scratch again. that and water bottles work well too.

I've heard of the balloon thing too so if the water doesn't work I'd say do that. Scare the scratches out of them lol.

:rofl I hope you find something that helps! I have a Satan kitten as well, except he knocks over his water ball THEN kicks the liter out (and it's not bc he is usin the bathroom, it's bc he's playing) and THEN climbs into the tub and walks all over the sink, toliet etc. Ahhh, the joys of kittens eh?

But for the toiletpaper messes - all cats do that.
Our older cat does that and he's 7 years old.

I've found that it helps deter him when the roll is hung "backwards" so the end hangs down inthe back - not the front - so it's not such a temptation to spin it and watch it unwind. LOL Kids and cats alike.

:rofl I hope you find something that helps! I have a Satan kitten as well, except he knocks over his water ball THEN kicks the liter out (and it's not bc he is usin the bathroom, it's bc he's playing) and THEN climbs into the tub and walks all over the sink, toliet etc. Ahhh, the joys of kittens eh?

:giggle My kitty used to kick the litter out too! She only did it when I put new litter in for some reason. She hasn't done it in awhile but I always waited there after pouring it in and sprayed her when she did it. :lol

But for the toiletpaper messes - all cats do that.
Our older cat does that and he's 7 years old.

I've found that it helps deter him when the roll is hung "backwards" so the end hangs down inthe back - not the front - so it's not such a temptation to spin it and watch it unwind. LOL Kids and cats alike.

Hehe not all cats my cat doesn't bother with the toiletpaper. :teehee :D

For a temp fix from puppy chew you can cut PVC piping to fit over the legs of chairs. I dunno I got my kitty declawed and was happy I did it. She recovered very well after a few weeks and it never appeared to bother her long term. Sure it is unpleasant to have your fingernails and some of your finger bone removed but honestly if you can't get them to stop I think its a reasonable option. Shoot having your entire uterus removed must SUCK but we do that all the time to these little thangs