Q: Cats up the wall and blinds

Answered by Kirkiecat on 12/22/2004, 2:40 am

A: Cats up the wall and blinds

> > We have three cats and all three like to climb the blinds
> > and have ruined all the blinds in my apartment. Two of my
> > cats like to try and climb the wall and are scratching
> them
> > up badly. We are moving into our new house in one month
> what
> > can I do to stop this, my husband wants to declaw their
> > front paws. Need help
> >
> ****************************************************
> Hello.
> It would be good if you can catch them in the act to deter
> them with a loud noise such as clapping or a verbal “no”, or
> use a can with coins or rocks and shake it loudly.
>
> Citrus or citronella sprays could be used to deter them, tin
> foil along the base may help, 2 way sticky tape can also
> help deter them as they hate having their paws stick to
> things and even hooking up motion detectors and a alarm may
> help if you are good with electronics. I would like to add
> that any behavioural modification should be monitored for
> safety and effectiveness.
>
> Declawing, as an option, is an extremely painful procedure
> for the cat, and as an alternative, I would recommend
> keeping their nails trimmed. Introducing new toys, play
> structures, a cat tree, or scratching post would keep your
> cats stimulated and draw their attention to appropriate
> places for their claws and nails.
>
> I hope these ideas help and maybe some other experts have
> some other ideas that could help.
> Good luck and Merry Christmas
> Jrkitten=^..^=
>
Hi there
There are just a few other things I would like to add to the previous advice that it was given. First of all I would like to add that I know what you’ve been through. I had the same problem with my youngest one, which she is ten months now and she’s finally stopped. But she did go through a phase when she liked climbing and pulling the blinds...but what it was that intrigued her it wasn’t so much the blinds themselves but the string that it was tangling from them....so if there is anything that is tangling from the blinds make sure that is hidden so they can’t see it or find it (they learn very fast where to look for hidden objects if they actually see you hiding it...). Also as it was mentioned, you might need to get a few scratching posts (one for each cat as they don’t like sharing because of scent and their claw marks on these which they marked as their own property to keep the others ‘away’). Try rubbing some catnip on them and also try to rub on them perhaps a towel or an old T-shirt with the cat’s scent so you can transfer the smell of each cat to the post they seem to like (they might shown some preferences for which post they prefer). No need to buy expensive ones, as long as they are steady and not wobbly(wide steady base) otherwise they won’t touch them as they aren’t much use to them for scratching and pulling. Also with a hard surface for their claws and tall enough for the cat’s height (so they can stretch). First put them in front or near where the blinds are and when they get use to them then you can move them slowly to a more preferable area. Also you might want to try cat trees which can be scratching posts and perching places for cats to observe from above the ground and out of the window as well if you place them, ideally, near by the window so they can look outside.
Probably the cats are scratching the blinds and walls because they don’t have enough stimulation, they are bored at home and they use the blinds for scratching and playing at the same time. So providing them with scratching posts or cat trees will give them something else to do. Also try to get their attention while they are about to start doing it with some kind of play interaction (toys on fishing poles or small tennis balls, something that you can use for play group so all get involved, you as well, maybe you can have some play sessions on a regular basis every night or even better twice a day for perhaps 15 minutes at a time). Then after playing you can give them some kind of treat, or you can feed them after the play session so they associate playing and being good with reward. Try not to start any play session while they are at work, scratching because then they might get the wrong message that by scratching they are getting their reward, your attention and playtime.
When they are at it try as it was suggested to startle them without scared them too much though by using either water to spray at them or noise making (coins in can, the noise of a plastic bag or foil or even shout firmly no), it’s better not to see you though so they don’t start get scared of you or doing it when you can’t see them.
You can use the sprays it was recommended on the blinds or tin foil and you even might want to try hanging a big piece of tin foil from the blinds, hanging loose down (it worked with our cats as they are really scared of it) but keep an eye on them because some are quite clever and might get it down and others are known to even bite it which it can be dangerous, so make sure you are around to observe their reactions and to keep an eye on them.

Anyway best of luck and best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.

>