My cats are conspiring against me!

[Jokerman]

One tomcat insists on sharpening his claws on our couch. I bought these Sticky Paws things, basically a strip of clear, double sided tape that you place on furniture. Cats aren't supposed to like touching the adhesive so they don't claw the furniture.

It worked like a charm. He hated the Sticky Paws and steered clear of the couch.

Then our other tomcat discovered the Sticky Paws. He doesn't claw at them, he licks them, obsessively. He must get some sort of buzz from ingesting the adhesive because he won't leave it alone. After he licks the adhesive, he throws up.

Now I've removed the Sticky Paws and the first tomcat is right back on the couch, sharpening his claws.

I refuse to have a cat de-clawed so I guess I'm stuck with a torn up couch or cat puke on the carpet.

I think they are working together.

[hyphenate]

1. There are these

little rubbery thingamabobs that the vet can put on his claws. I forget what they're called, but basically, it's to keep them from trying to sharpen them on furniture. The vet replaces them about every three months.

Or do what I do: I buy a $15 hamper and let them claw it to bits. Or, at Petco or other places (I found a cheaper one at Trader Joes!) they have these strips of corrugated cardboard which you can put some catnip in that they absolutely love to scratch on. They range from $3 to $10 if you get the bigger, wider version. My cats love them.

Other than that, I clip my guys about evey three months or so. Since they were raised with getting their claws clipped, there isn't a problem, but if you haven't introduced them to clippers before, get someone to help you.

[Jokerman]

2. They get clipped regularly

but I swear he makes a point of clawing even more right after his claws have been clipped.

The hamper is a great suggestion, thanks.

I've heard of the "caps" but I don't know anyone who has tried them.

[Flaxbee]

3. my sister swears they work..

she's gotten the little nail-caps put on all of her cats who are inclined to shred furniture (you can get red ones if your kitties like painted nails). They're harmless, cheap, and really do not seem to bother the cats one little bit.

I have one cat who absolutely must scratch things, I've gotten her an "Alpine Cosmic Catnip" scratcher and she LOVES it, doesn't scratch anything else... another alternative.

[Misunderestimator]

5. I've tried them and they do work.

They look a little weird but they work.

[Dookus]

4. I'll second those cardboard scratchers...

my one scratcher loves it. You really CAN train a cat not to scratch furniture. Get a couple good scratch posts (like the cardboard ones) and it'll be much less of a problem. If you see him using the furniture, pick him up and put him next to the scratch toy. Catnip helps.

[Spinzonner]

6. Drug Pusher

[Teddy_Salad]

8. They're called Softpaws

I have them on my critters and they are great!
They come in different colors too. We have Pink, Blue and Red.

http://www.softpaws.com/

[Blue Gardener]

7. Have you tried training with a squirt bottle?

Hit him with a shot of water every time you catch him scratching. They hate the water, but don't connect that it is coming from you as some sort of punishment, plus all it hurts is their dignity. Some cats will eventually learn, some won't. It's worth a try.

[TX-RAT]

9. Thought i was the only one who did that.

That really works well, and is kind of fun.

[texas1928]

10. I used a supersoaker watergun.

they are to busy after that to do anything but trying to dry themselves.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

11. My cat Reno (black one) loves water

squirt guns don't work. He just keeps scratching the chair....

[Speck Tater]

12. Resistence is futile. (nt)