How do I train my 10 week old kittens not to scratch?

Question

I have 2 10 week old kittens I adopted about two weeks ago. They are really sweet and I adore them, but the scratching HAS TO STOP! My legs look like I stepped on a land mine. They don't do it in aggression, it usually happens when they are playing or racing up and down my furniture while I am on it. I refuse to get them declawed because it is inhumane and cruel. I use a spray bottle of water right now to deter them from scratching the furniture, and it seems to be working pretty well. Is there anyway I can train them to not scratch me?

Answer 1

They need a scratching post.

You have to teach them though.

You have to hold their paws gently to the post and let their claws scratch it.

When my kitten was 5 months old I got him a certain kind of scratching post that has the option of putting catnip or cat treats under the scratching parts.

Answer 2

Cats scratch, it's in their nature to scratch. They have to scratch to keep their claws properly groomed and sharp. It's an instinct.

Instead of trying to stop it, what you need to do is get them something ELSE to scratch that they will think is better to scratch than your legs.

Get them a scratching post of some kind. I think the best ones are the ones that look like they have a thin rope wrapped around them. Also, the cardboard ones that you either hang from a doorknob are good and the cardboard ones that are non-vertical (the cat can walk on top of them) are good. Most cats like these type of posts best. With the semi-horizontal cardboard ones, you can also sprinkle some catnip on it to encourage them even more to choose the scratching board as their favorite thing to scratch.

Answer 3

keep a spray bottle near and if you cetch them on the ketchen counter spray them with the sink sprayer. thats what i do and  think its kind of fun!

Answer 4

In my experience, they will grow out of it.  They must love you so much to think that you're a cat too and want to play with you.  They're too young to realize that kitty claws hurt like anything!!!  This might be a dumb answer, but that's my experience with kittens.  They're so young still. I know you feel like a pin cushion (I remember the days) but they will grow out of it.  Maybe try the squirt bottle when they jump on you too?

Answer 5

They usually grow out of it, but I suggest you start clipping the tips of their nails. It's pretty easy and if you get them started while they are young then they get used to it and don't mind when they are older. Also, a scratch pad is helpful. I also do not agree with declawing..I am a vets assistant and watching/helping with a declaw is one of the most horrific things I see on the job. I started cutting my kittens nails when he was about 8 weeks old..he is almost 2 years old now and he really doesn't mind much. I sit on the toilet and put his back on my legs with his head near my chest. I just hold up each paw and snip away..he gets a belly rub afterwards :o)

Answer 6

Call your vet and see if he selld the caps that go over your cats claws. They do not harm the kitten. It will save you and your furniture. They are applied by cutting the nails, then applied with superglue. They stay on for about 3-4 months until they need trimming again.

Answer 7

pick them up by the nap of the neck(that is what there mothers did) and say no

Answer 8

Get rid of the spray bottle. It rarely does any good; cats often think that you're playing with them when you squirt them, (especially kittens).

Biting/scratching you:

Young kittens between the ages of 3 weeks old and 8 months old will be teething off and on, and will have very strong needs to bite.  Just like baby children, kittens are born without teeth, start getting their first baby teeth at about 3-4 weeks old, then they will lose their baby teeth and have their adult teeth come in up until the age of about 8 months old.  So the trick here is not to keep them from biting; but rather, to provide them appropriate items to bite.  We use heavy-duty plastic drinking straws with our kittens, (being careful to cut off any bitten ends and discard the entire straw before it becomes dangerous, as with any toy), and train them from the start that toys and straws are purr-rectly fine to bite, but human body parts are off-limits!  If a kitten learns this from the start, there is hardly ever an inappropriate biting behavior as an adult.  Some cats start biting out of frustration after they have been de-clawed.  Some cats start biting out of misplaced aggression, which usually can be countered by providing the cat a feline playmate, and/or providing them more cat toys, cat furniture, and making their environment more stimulating for them.  Any time the kitten bites you make a loud “yowling” sound. If you’ve ever witnessed a cat get hurt, you will probably know what this sounds like. After you yowl, walk away and ignore the kitten. Never yell at or hit a cat. At all times, it is critical that you be thinking and acting on the firm belief that "toys and straws are for biting; human hands are for giving and receiving love.”

Scratching furniature:

Use cat claw trimmers and only take off a tiny bit at the end of the nail. Never use trimmers that are made for humans or dogs, because you are more likely to hurt her that way. Do it once a week. Here's a website that shows you how:  

http://www.catscratching.com/htmls/artic...

A cat needs to scratch, that's natural behavior and should not be punished at all!  Sometimes though, this behavior can interfere with our lifestyle and we don't want our best sofa or newly fitted carpet being used as a scratching ground.  Cats scratch because they want to keep their claws in good shape.  The claw-nails are shed and underneath sits a new and sharp nail which provides the best protection possible for self-defense.  Scratching is also a form of territory marking.  Every time a cat scratches, it leaves its personal scent behind.  Small glands between the toes make that possible.  You can watch how a cat stretches itself while scratching.  This helps to keep the muscles in its legs, back and paws in good health.  The claws act as a sort of anchor, and are buried into the surface of the scratched item.

Most common types of damage are scratched furniture, ripped carpets and shredded wallpaper.  You want to eliminate the problem before it occurs.  Buy or build a stable, tall scratching-post, right from the start.  Here are some tips to do it right:

• The post should be at least two feet high, covered with sisal-rope

• Get more than one, especially when you have a multi-cat household

• Place the post close to the furniture or other areas which are most at risk

• Introduce a new scratching-post with some catnip sprinkled on its surface.  Cats love that and it’s more attractive to them

• If your cat starts scratching the "wrong" object, say "No" and gently carry your cat to the desired post.  Demonstrate how to use it by scratching the post with your own nails.  If the cat doesn‘t catch on after trying this repeatedly for a few days, gently pick up his paws rub them along the post.

• Never force your cat.  When it starts scratching the post by itself, make sure you use verbal praise with a rewarding treat and affection.  The cat needs to know that using the scratching post results in positive things such as affection, playing and treats.

• When you have a kitten, start early with the "pawing at post" technique

• Invest in what’s called a “cat tree” which acts also as a leisure area for your cat.  Different textures and heights make it more interesting, you perhaps want to build it yourself

• Try some repellent like pepper-dust or some commercial products on your furniture to keep your cat off these areas

• Be persistent and don't give up too soon