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Help!

Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2019 7:09 pm
by raachaelmarie
Hi!
I love my cat but she pricks the couches in my gameroom. Shes a real skittish cat so training is hard. My gameroom has an open door way so theres no way to close it. Ive tried this mesh doorway that closes with magnets but it doesnt work because she can slide under. does anyone have any suggestions on how i can keep her out of my open room? (i cant afford to build a whole door way)

Re: Help!

Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2019 12:03 pm
by Mollycat
Do you want to keep her out of the room or just protect your couches?

You have to think cat. Firstly, she gets attention by scratching, so there is a reward for her in doing it. Secondly, give her an alternative.

The first part is the tough part. If you don't mind her sitting on the couches, maybe spend some time with her having cuddles and maybe treats. As long as she is doing the desired behaviour, keep the experience really good. Any time she goes to scratch, gently but firmly say no and touch her paws. It's not even a telling-off, just no like you would to a child, you're only teaching her that the word no comes with something uncomfortable, the touch on her paws. Then immediately go back to positive. Keep repeating this as often as possible and she should get the message.

At the same time put a scratching post right by where she scratches the most and spray it with catnip spray or some other attractive scent, and praise her when she uses it. Gradually you can move the post away. I spray anything new for the cats and they know it's for them.

The two approaches together should help.

Re: Help!

Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2019 1:28 pm
by fjm
Simplest solution - throws over the couches. Most of my furniture is covered by throws...

Discouraging and redirecting will work when you are there to do it. If you need to keep her out when you are not there perhaps weighting the bottom of the magnetic screen door with a heavy bar of wood would stop her sliding under it? (And give her something else to scratch, too!)

Re: Help!

Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2019 4:07 pm
by raachaelmarie
she only goes in when no ones there. id prefer to keep her out of that room all together seeing as she has her own room with a cat tree and bed. I dont want to lock her in there because she likes to walk around at night. I just want her out of the game room to avoid any of the new furniture being ruined

Re: Help!

Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2019 4:09 pm
by raachaelmarie
I put a baby cam in the room last night to see how she was getting in and shes pushing through the mesh door not under like i had thought

Re: Help!

Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2019 8:04 pm
by Mollycat
Sounds like your only option is some kind of barrier then.

Re: Help!

Posted: Thu Apr 25, 2019 9:11 am
by ThorpeDave
Cats instinctively want to be able to smell their own scent everywhere and if it doesn't they will pad and roll all over it until is smells of themselves.

New furniture will always be a target.

giving a cat something which is more attractive to scratch is always a good tip. scratching post sprayed with catnip or similar or try a coir door mat which both mine love!

spraying the furniture with Feliway Classic may also help.

Re: Help!

Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2020 8:19 pm
by Grinchy
Unfortunately, cats find locked doors irresistible. It's a territory issue.