Furniture scratching - trying to save my old buddy

I recently divorced and began living with a new partner in her house. Following the passing of her sweet 20 y.o. kitty, we decided to "start a family of our own." First up was agreeing to take, on a trial basis, my 7 y.o. male Korat-looking kitty, Cooper, from my pre-divorce home. (The ex-wife was heartlessly going to ship him to the pound.) Knowing he had a furniture scratching history, the SO was very resistant to the idea; but I made a deal that if his scratching couldn't be controlled, he'd have to go. We took him in.

Now, it must be noted that the SO also recently bought a couple grand worth of brand new furniture.  Recipe for disaster, right? Well, Cooper lived up to his billing. Despite me buying some nice carpeted cat furniture and building three more rope/carpet scratching posts (I'm pretty handy), he began working on the side chairs. This is not good, and SO says he has to go. Can't say I disagree (a deal's a deal); but I'm still trying everything to keep him.

So I'm down to a.) getting his claws trimmed every week or two and b.) trying those Soft Paws things.  IIRC, we tried the Soft Paws once before without long term success; but if it's the difference between him staying or going, I'll go the extra mile.

So I'm looking for advice. Can an old cat with a furniture monkey on his back be retrained?  Do the claw covers work? Anything else?

I have never tried the claw covers... my cats really, really like the corrugated cardboard scratching things.  When kitty even looks like she might be ready to scratch, get a toy and use it to direct her to one of her posts, mats, or wherever you want her to scratch and get her to attack that spot, then lots of praise.  At any moment that you see your cat even put one little claw on some of that nice new furniture, be ready with a loud clap, a sharp no.  Some people would go so far as to say or with a spray bottle... .others will say thats mean.

Not sure if your cat ever gets to go outdoors, or if you have trees nearby, but I have one cat that has to be taken out tree climbing at least once a week or she goes bonkers, and she seriously scratches those trees while she is climbing.  This is done with her on a harness and leash.  Fun for her and me.

I have never tried the sprays to deter or to attract cats, but I guess those also would be worth a try.  I also don't know if you have just tried giving the at a good talking to, using your human words, and explaining the situation that if s/he doesn't cut it out, shes a goner.  Cats understand more than we give them credit for.

oh yeah, and I rub the carboard things with the kitty nip they come with.  The cats not only scratch them, they bite them, sit on they, tussle with them... they tear em up! but that is what they are for as long as you don't mind vacuming up the cardboard bits that get shredded off.

The situation is FAR from hopeless here. First, look at where the scratchers are. Scratching serves many functions for a cat, and a significant one is territory marking. It's vital that there are scratchers available in the socially significant areas of the house - NOT just tucked away in a corner out of sight. The first thing I'd try is putting appropriate scratching surfaces next to or in front of his favourite scratching 'human' furniture. There are other options too. There are all kinds of scratchers that are designed to fit around furniture legs etc to prevent damage. These are a couple of examples http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015HLSMK6/?tag=&tag=thecatsite
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011I3YYY0/?tag=&tag=thecatsite

You can also get products like Paws Off - sticky strips to attach to the 'targets'. They feel really bad to a cat so they effectively teach themselves to leave the furniture alone. Most cats hate the feel and sound of foil under their claws, so wrapping vulnerable areas in tinfoil can help to break the cycle too.

Softpaws are a fantastic tool for the retraining process, as they prevent damage occurring from any slip ups while the cat is learning the new rules.[article="0"][/article]
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Please don't surrender your boy to a shelter. Older cats are far less likely to be adopted, so he could well live out the rest of his life there

Columbine told you everything you need to know.  Just be very proactive & make sure you get that double sided tape on those couches BEfore anything happens.  Having the proper equipment & a lot of it should solve the problem.

Soft paws work great-Use them. NOW save the cat, save the couch!

Well, I've tried most things.  We have cat scratching posts right next to the most vulnerable furniture and double stick tape on surfaces we know he likes.  It's just hard to impossible to tape the entire house.  I spray other surfaces periodically.  

He hates (and I mean with a nasty, angry cat hate) getting his claws trimmed. I pay people rather than even attempt it.  I bought "Soft Paws", but he's having none of that either.  Almost at wit's end.  He won't be going to a shelter; one of my offspring will take him; but I know he'd be a lot better off with me. Alas.

I know this will sound strange, but Suzie would never use any of the scratching posts in the house, what she loved to scratch on is one of those "Wipe your Paws" outdoor foot mats where humans wipe their feet off on before entering the house.  She even sold the idea of using a foot mat to her kittens, they ended up only using the mat, so of course I bought one for the living room.  Great conversation piece, trying to explain to guests why I have an outdoor mat lying in my living room.  Oh well, beats having damaged furniture!

rb608 said:

 
Well, I've tried most things.  We have cat scratching posts right next to the most vulnerable furniture and double stick tape on surfaces we know he likes.  It's just hard to impossible to tape the entire house.  I spray other surfaces periodically.  

He hates (and I mean with a nasty, angry cat hate) getting his claws trimmed. I pay people rather than even attempt it.  I bought "Soft Paws", but he's having none of that either.  Almost at wit's end.  He won't be going to a shelter; one of my offspring will take him; but I know he'd be a lot better off with me. Alas.

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You can pay to have soft paws applied while you work on the behavior issue.

I don't know if you have a dollar tree near you but they sell the best catnip, it used to be organic. Its called Cat's Meowee catnip, it is very good stuff, they always love it. Its sold in a green pouch. I do have to ask, is he an up scratcher or a down scratcher? Will he try to pick sofa's while he's on his back legs or stretch forward and pick carpet? You need to know what kind of scratcher he is and what he likes to scratch then you can pick a  perfect post. Also it might help if you got a feliway diffuser as he might be scratching because he is a bit stressed with all the moving, new items, new family, etc. I'd hate to see that he looses his home due to a normal cat behavior. You may not like this question, I'm sorry to ask it but do you think your new partner might not like your cat due to him being from your divorce?  I find it strange knowing full well that your kitty has his issues and she'll go out and spend an good amount of money on new furniture. Just something to think about. 

Also in the meantime, would you both be willing to put covers over the furniture? It would help save them until he might be switched over to his regular posts. Also this one is on sale on amazon, I'd think he would enjoy it very much,