I am on my 3rd indoor cat. All were declawed in the front. Once they healed, no problem. Never had complications.

When we got our kitty, she started clawing. No amount of effort on our part would stop her. We tried all the above...nothing worked. I called the vet to talked to him about de clawing her. He asked me to come in for "counseling"...not kidding. The choices were to declaw or get rid of her. He asked me to think about what might happen to her if returned to the Rescue League...now past the cute kitty stage, her chance of being adopted was reduced and being put down a possibility. We chose declawing and keeping her an indoor kitty. She healed in days; never had a problem with the surgery; and has been a joy in our life.

You can't have a cat tearing up a Persian or a Mitchell Gold sofa and if all else fails, better to declaw than get rid of a cutie you love.

BTW, deb, try a cashmere sweater razor on the pulls. It won't fix, but may help the rug look better.

http://www.amazon.com/Sunbeam-S20-Deluxe-Clothes-Shaver/dp/B00474IL8I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=144

Declawing is cruel. Here's what the Humane Society says about it: http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/cats/tips/declawing.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/

I agree, karelina. I would never do that to one of my cats. Mine never scratches furniture, she only uses her scratchy posts. Cats CAN BE TRAINED.

It is a case of either declaw or we don't have a cat. I know some are dead set against it, but if we don't declaw, we don't provide a cat a safe and comfortable life. We treat our cats well once they are declawed.

"De claw or no cat" are absolutely NOT the only options. Cats can be trained-it takes patience and consistency and education. And I would bet my piano socks that any cat shelter would rather you NOT provide a cat a safe and comfortable life if that means amputating its phalanges.

Debo, in regard to your original question. I eventually gave up on "real" rugs and switched to a polypropylene indoor/outdoor rug. It's indestructible even when they scratch on it. They make plenty of interesting patterns and colors. I got mine at Home Depot but obviously lots of other places have them. Keeps your feet warm without the frustration.

I have a similar problem but my female cat added a twist - she scratches the rugs and then urinates on them. I've had her checked for infections and she is fine; apparently she is just marking the rugs. She extended this behavior to my sofa and chair cushions, and I am pretty much at my wits end. I have decided to give up on the rugs for now, and have been using a scat mat and putting our cushions up at night. She normally does this either in the middle of the night so it's hard to chase her away. I love her to pieces but she's been a very expensive kitty :( ps, I know I'm two years late to this discussion but in case anyone reads it, I could use suggestions!

I forgot to add I have an older male cat and two dogs, all of whom get along wonderfully. But I believe she is marking for the benefit of the younger dog.

pfkhome,,this is an old post. but as for your cat, sounds like she is insecure about something. did you recently get a new member of the family, a new pet, is there something outside (like another cat in your yard) that she sees? i had the same issue w/mine after we got a new kitten, even though there were already 4 other cats that she lived with. I guess the new guy was just one too many!

oh, i just saw the dog post. that's why she's doing it. she's insecure, it makes her feel better and she is marking for her territory out of stress and feeling threatened. she isn't doing it for the dog, she's doing it for herself.

you may have to reintroduce the puppy or find a way to let her accept him.

Thanks Beth - it was funny; she is fine with the youngest dog (who we've had two years now but she has been marking for almost a year). She just suddenly decided to do it. Other than this she is a great cat and I couldn't bear to have her with another family although I've given serious thought to it :( She will be with us but I guess the rugs won't. I do like the idea of purchasing a good-weight clear vinyl that I could roll up when I have guests. Sounds ridiculous but what we won't do for our pets.

yeah,,i tried the same thing. brought in a nice fluffy rug and put it in the same room as the litter box. this cat decided she liked fluffy 'litter' instead! got rid of the rug but then she decided she like other rugs and clothes. he ended up as a garage cat! this other one tho, I tried everything to get her to stop. everything. she would pee in the most obscure places. even gave her extra attention. she wouldn't stop. i had to re-home her. she ruined a brand new sofa. couldn't do it anymore.

Time for a consultation with Jackson Galaxy!

I was googling about cats and rugs. So funny I have a Pottery Barn area rug and the exact thing is happening to me. The truth is, the Pottery Barn rugs are low quality. I spent well over a thousand dollars for my large rug but it is pretty, but crap. I have many other areas rugs that my cats scratch, but they don't fall apart like this one. My first signal should have been when the directions advised not using the beater brush to vacuum. Strange. That is how a vacuum works. This worried me. Again, I have many other rugs....some hand made, and some machine rugs, also some Soumak rugs. None of them are much bothered by my cats. I hope you kept your cats! I know your original post was a couple years ago!

Claws and cats wont work, roll up the carpet .

A scratch & stretch pad & a self groomer. Train it with a clicker & treats.

i bought pottery barn rug a few years ago and although I tried a few things- it ended going to the cat. Fast forward, new house cheap rug, cat doesn’t touch. Bought pottery barn rug for different room thinking cat over it, nope. I have noticed after a day that he has scratched in one place. my Training begins in 2 days. I’ll remove the chairs and sit on rug On floor. When he steps on rug he’ll get squirted with water and a no. There will be several squirt bottles around perimeter. And of course, for now when I’m not home or if I can’t give him 1/1 he will go in basement ( finished)

Sounds like my first PB and original poster happened at same time. I still have that original rug and now unrolling in basement so cat can have at it

This is happening to my brand new PB rug too. I’m so upset.

BRanka, cats like wool and to scratch. get a couple of cat scratchers, cat trees, rub catnip on them, place them near the rug. show the cat how to scratch on them. eventually they'll move onto the scratchers. slowly move them away from the rug weekly. they should leave the rug alone. you could try spraying the No Scratch stuff on it too, but scratching posts are the main thing you need.

I do not own cats so this may be a stupid suggestion. Can you not keep the cats out of that particular room? If not, could you use the rug in another room that you can close off from cats?

I just noticed how old this post is

Try a tight low pile wool rug. Cats still dig but it doesn’t ruin the rug. Wool still sheds out of the rug but my rug is holding up. Kitties love plushy rugs. Also for the person with kitties peeing outside the litter boxes...and if medical issues are ruled out...and the boxes are cleaned twice a day and each cat has a box...then try Cat Attract cat litter. It worked for me Immediately, after one of my cats wouldn’t use the litter box. Cats don’t like scented litters. Cat Attract contains some kind of plants/herbs in the clay base. Most cats prefer clay. It’s natural. It worked for us. Good luck. 🐈‍⬛ rule!

I have 3 cats who are trying to pull on the woven rug we just bought. I keep a spray bottle of water handy.(Cats hate water ) and every time they claw the rug, they get a spritz of water. Be consistent. And I yell each time too and that scares them. I would also suggest to keep their claws clipped and they won't be able to do much damage that way.

IVANWOUT, scaring them with water and yelling at them is just going to make them a psychotic basket case. Anxious cats will do more damage.

They have to scratch. if you don't provide them w/something, they will use what they can. That's on you. So be a good cat owner and buy them a few posts, or those cardboard scratching boxes. They are cheap.

Get a little scratching post and put it next to your rug. (try amazon or Wayfair)

Rub the post w/catnip.

when they go to scratch your rug, gently pick them up and place their paws on the scratching post. give them a little catnip so they associate it w/good.

They have to scratch. Give them something that they can use and they won't touch your stuff.

i have 5 cats and 3 of these posts and other cat trees. They don't touch any of my furniture or the rugs.

Do not declaw your cats!! Cruel and painful! I correct my cats if they attempt to scratch the rug with a "squirt gun" and water! I don't even have to spray it... my cats sees it and runs. Keep your cats safe and loved! Please do not declaw! Imagine someone doing that to you!!

Did you try double sided tape? My only concern is the time that I am not in the room when my Barney (Barnacle) claws the rug. He will stop if I see him and speak to him! : ) I would not trade my cats for the world. Best of luck with your cats!

I have kitty disappointments too. Right now my cat is putting very small rips in my linens. I plan on sewing the rips and clipping his nails.

I do recommend the scratch post in the first posted picture above by Bet H. It’s not cheap but it’s the best. Cats need something to scratch on.

Completely disagree with declawing.