When a cat won't scratch?

Question

The opposite of a normal problem -- a cat that WON'T scratch things!

She has a scratching post, which she has never touched.  We've tried various types of catnip, still no interest.  Treats don't work either.

I caught her scratching at furniture a couple of times, and made her stop by making loud noises, scaring her.  That furniture now has scratch-deterrent scent spray or double-sided tape on it.

The problem is, her claws are catching in everything, and I think it's because she isn't scratching enough to keep them short.  She usually needs help un-hooking from my sweater when I set her down, and she twists herself into knots trying to get her paw off the rug.

The obvious answer is to trim them myself, but that's likely to be painful (for me), and not something I'd want to do on a regular basis.  I'd really like to somehow get her to use the scratching post.

Suggestions?

? · Accepted Answer

My cat has the same problem but we took her to the vets and they trimmed them for her and after one trim she started scratching the fence outside. The reason your cat may not be scratching is because his/hr claws are too long and the are hurting when he/she scratches things. 
Hope this helped x

John M · Answer

You need to trim their claws period.  I have clippers right beside my couch and clip them constantly because they grow real fast.

Get them in your lap and pet them and talk softly.  Put your index finger  just under their toe pads.  With your thumb push forward on one claw at a time and it will extend.

Practice it without doing any clipping so the cat gets use to it.  Once it gets use to being handled that way clip the tip of the nail off.  The quick is the red part that has blood in it.  I usually clip between that and the end of the claw to be safe.

I clip my cats claws all the time and still see them getting caught on things once in a while.  It's time for a clipping then.

They still go over to the cardboard scratch pad and scratch a little because it's an instinct.

They have never scratched or bitten me.  If they protest too much I quit and wait a few hours. If you give them something read good to lick while you are doing it they wont pay any attention most of the time.

ZotsRule · Answer

You're very confused.  Scratching on surfaces does NOT trim a cat's nails.  A cat's nail is like an onion - in many layers.  So scratching only helps remove the outermost layer.  You NEED to trim the nails and you NEED to do this at least every couple of weeks.

If you don't know how here's a site that shows you http://www.catscratching.com/htmls/article.htm  I highly suggest the clippers they show at the bottom that look like a tiny pair of scissors.

But if five minutes to clip the nails every couple weeks is not something you'd "want to do" then DEFINITELY find another home for this cat.

Ocimom · Answer

A scratching post does NOT keep nails trimmed or dull.  That is a misconception.  Its for stretching and marking (they have scent glands on the pads of their feet).  A scratching post that is less then 4 feet tall will not be used very much.

You must learn to keep the nails trimmed on a weekly or bi-weekly routine or you will need to take your cat to the vet every other week to have nails clipped.  Its NOT hard to do or learn and your cat will learn to tolerate having nails clipped.

Also not all cats respond to catnip - they either like it or they don't.  Apparently your cat doesn't have the "catnip" gene!

Rashidah · Answer

Put doublesided tape on your furniture where your cat likes to scratch she wont like the feeling on it on her paws and stop scratching there beause of that.

AJ · Answer

One trim (over a couple of days, when I could catch her) and she's started scratching the doormat regularly.  Thanks!

When a cat won't scratch?

6 Answers