Newboy: sequel that's better than the original

[Lanaorana2]

Executive decision by Mr C.

cozie I have a question if you don't mind? Any tips for stopping a 9 year old Siamese scratching the rug and carpet? He has a scratching post which he occasionally uses. If I shout no he stops sometimes, but nothing short of a shout seems to help. I've tried the usual double sided sticky tape, the sprays in the shops (reluctantly) .. nothing helps .. it's him sticking two fingers up at me I think

I don't like raising my voice and it's the only time I do. He's a bit not right in the head "special" , a rescue although we've had him from 3 months old, but he came without papers.

Is he an inside cat?

Mainly ... he has access to the back yard and sometimes lies out there in the sun but the yard is tiny and he can't climb the wall to leave. At my old house he had a big garden to "play" in and used to climb over the fence but never went away from the fence - thank goodness.

My experience is that you generally have to reconcile yourself to a 'sacrificial' item. (A piece of furniture or a piece of carpet.) They really want to fit in with their people but they also have to scratch. Even Seniorboy - that most willing of Siamese - had a chair that he had to scratch. ( When he was in our other house, he used a carpet 'sample' that I anchored under a heavy piece of furniture but when he came back here, he seized upon his 'scratching chair' like an old friend and I didn't have the heart to say No.)

I hear that your current lad has special needs. (It sounds as though he might have come from a 'kitten farm'? ) How do you feel about nominating some piece around the house?

It's a pity he's chosen my large rug - too expensive to replace. I don't mind sacrificing something but how to get him to change?

Is he scratching anywhere on that rug or only/mainly one spot?

He likes the edge of the rug, that's the only place he scratches on it. But he also scratches the carpet on the stairs (the only carpet in the house!)

I'd try for a carpet 'sample' then and tack it over 'his spot' on the rug.(Or anchor a long edge of it with furniture.) Do you have any carpet shops around? (They come in sort of 'books'. Usually free.)

PS - they like to scratch somewhere they can get proper 'purchase' under their claws. (Large rugs don't move as much as small ones and stair carpets are tethered very closely to the stairs. That's what you'd be aiming for.)

Then it's just the usual Siamese training - including lots of praise (or no criticism) if the correct spot is used.

Good idea. I'll have a look .. I think I've seen carpet samples (new) for a few pence in the local charity shop too.

Good luck.

You can get them free at a carpet shop - and sometimes they give away the sample folders.

Interestingly, I shut him in CT last night - where he has all his orders so no physical hardship - and he really didn't like it. (Big protest at about 4.30/5 in the morning until I opened the door.) Good behaviour today.

I like to think that he was upset by not having me 'around'. (After a fashion.) Who knows? It may even be true.

He got a grump on because he MISSED you. OOOh the sweetness :)

He might get a little treat today?

Thanks.

Sounds like he didn't like being apart from you.

Chillcat showing how it's done - excuse his tattered ears, he was a pretty boy but had two haematomas, one on each ear... not at the same time. Now looks like he's done a round in the boxing ring

A beautiful boy.

His 'treat', Lana, is routine being observed.

But Yes. He shall have the door open tonight.

Unless he 'misbehaves'.

It's all go here. Four pouches and counting. Sleep well.

Uh Huh.

What weight is he tonight?

Chillcat is gorgeous!

I sense a thawing in Newboy

*Chillcat" is a pretty lad. The sort of face you wouldn't want to shout at!

Madcat(2) is known to attack the stair carpet. Usually at 5:30am to see if any of us fancy getting up for breakfast! He gets admonished with a firm Ugh ugh (he knows he's done wrong, but I don't want to get the whole house awake).

I think Newboy has definitely decided you are a nice person, Cozie...You'll be complaining that he's hogging the duvet in a few weeks.