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Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | unspayed | 10 months and 17 days old | 4 lbs
My cat has a serious and obsessive scratching behavior. I have tried EVERYTHING. She is neutered, tried ALL TYPES OF SCRATCHING POSTS/MATS, tried deterrent sprays, covering the area she scratches, ect. She has an issue scratching the carpet of my home specifically in all the corners. I have covered them all except one because she moves what is covering it. She has ripped up my carpet and she will literally sit there for HOURS scratching when I'm not around! She is doing it for fun! Please help!
2 Answers

Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Published on August 15th, 2018
Answered By Jessica Keay, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on August 15th, 2018
I am sorry to hear about your problem with Nala! I would consider trying the product Feliway Scratch, which encourages your cat to scratch on a desired location via use of pheremones and scents your cat can smell https://www.feliway.com/us/Products/feliscratch-by-feliway . I would also consider getting a variety of different styles of scratching posts. Some cats prefer different materials (cardboard, wood, carpet, rope), and some have a preference in orientation of the post (horizontal, vertical, slanted) or preference of orientation of fibers, so you may need to try a few different styles to find what Nala wants! I would recommend reading this article by veterinary behaviorst Sophia Yin for more tips: https://drsophiayin.com/blog/entry/june-is-adopt-a-cat-month-training-your-new-cat-not-to-scratch-furniture/ . If you want to make a deterent, I would probably try citrus, as I don't think lavender would deter, but I am not sure how effective this would be or if it could stain your carpet/furniture if you spray it on them.
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