Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Why my new carpet!

5 replies

nikkylou · 27/09/2020 10:20

We've just got a new carpet on the stairs....we might be a bit precious. But it's the first carpet we've ever ever bought, it's nice and well like all new things we want to keep it that way....

Our cat, adorable as he is, has clearly realised this and decided his new way to get attention is to scratch it....

He has never scratched the carpet before, not on the stairs, or any other room. Only damage he causes is accidental claw catching...until now! Fortunately, he hasn't caused any visual damage but its only a matter of time! He has scratching pads, has a tower but has no interest in it.

I don't know why he's taken up this new hobby. It seems to be attention seeking. It's not like we come home to him doing it. It seems to be related to when he wants food, or out, or just general attention. It seems self-fulfilling too. We jump up and give him said attention... I don't know how to make him stop!!!

Does anyone have any ideas?

OP posts:
lljkk · 27/09/2020 10:26

I made horizontal scratch boards from left over carpet bits. They prefer a raised surface with edges to scratch, so your stairs are very appealing.

For cat, It feels good, like scratching an itch. It's instinctive after eating, toileting and napping -- one of mine is nicknamed carpet-killer.

Why my new carpet!
Why my new carpet!
lljkk · 27/09/2020 10:26

ps: I have moved to chucking mine outside when the scratch prohibited places. It's not the type of attention they were after.

nikkylou · 27/09/2020 10:48

We do have some spare carpet...wondered what to use that for! So maybe some custom boards will help if he has taken a liking to our new one.

Unceremoniously kicking him outside might work...I'm hoping just being consistent will help. He's quite a smart cookie generally. We got Anne cupboard for the hallway, and stored his food in there. It barely took a week before he found his new place to sit!

Also...he knows we're talking about him!

Why my new carpet!
OP posts:
madcatladyforever · 27/09/2020 10:54

My last stair carpet was totally destroyed. For some reason Buns isn't interested in the carpet in our new home.

lljkk · 27/09/2020 12:13

I also put old towels down to cover the favourite new scratching places to try to help break the new habit. Has helped. Put scratch boards near where they eat or sleep, since the instincts are strongest around those activities.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread