How to stop my cat scratching at doors?

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Hi everyone, I've got a one-year-old cat who scratches at the doors every morning to get me up. Not only is she damaging the doors—which is a real worry as I'm in a rented place—but she’s also driving me up the wall. I wake up feeling just as tired as when I went to bed; that 4am wake-up call is far too early.

I was wondering if any of you have a miracle cure to get her to stop scratching? I've already tried a repellent spray from the pet shop, but it hasn't made any difference at all; she just carries on as if nothing's there.

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    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    Stop it with the behaviourists already!!!!

    Honestly, as soon as a cat, a rodent, or a dog does something their owner doesn't like, it's straight to a behaviourist!!! Some people on this site need a shrink!!! For "behaviourist-itis" lol!!! For a cat scratching doors, just staple some hard plastic to the door—halfway up is plenty and that’s that, job sorted. I should become a behaviourist myself lol. Obviously, the cat needs a scratching post, either cardboard or a cat tree (mine ignore theirs, but there you go).

    They don't scratch the doors, but my rabbit nibbles the door frames and my parrot chews the top of the doors. I'm a tenant too, but with a few tricks, if I ever move out I'll find a solution. Besides, I’ve been renting this flat for 22 years, so if I ever move and the agency wants to keep the deposit, well, so be it!!!

    My cats sleep with me—my blind cat on my head! In this heat it’s a bit much, but when you have pets, you have them and you love them just as they are. Mind you, one of my girls sliced my foot open jumping onto the bed—grrrr, ouch!—but she was just playing hide and seek with the sheets. What can you do? I’ve got cats and they’ve got claws; yeah, things go wrong sometimes, but it’s nothing compared to the love they give me!!!! Them and all my other animals... everyone has their flaws, just like us humans, except we have more flaws than our pets do. Maybe I should see a shrink—or could a behaviourist do something for me? Lmao!

    Laurence and her Noah’s Ark

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    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    Well, she didn't stay for long, Mamou! :)

    Maaaaaaaaaaaamouuuuuuuuuuuuuu?

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    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    So Mamou, where had you got to then?

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    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    Yayyyyyyy, look who’s back! ;)))

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    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    I reckon the simplest thing is to leave the doors open....

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    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    I found this on a pet advice site: http://wamiz.com/chats/question/mon-chat-gratte-les-portes-comment-l-arreter-2680.html This might help you out, the person there is having the exact same problem as you! :)

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    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    Feliway is a great product if your cat is receptive to it. Otherwise, to protect your door, you can get clear plastic films specifically designed for door or wall scratching. I’ll have to see if I can find the link for you. Mind you, I don’t think it necessarily stops the cat from scratching, unless they don’t like the feel of the material.
    Translated from French
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    Since I posted my question, I've been to see the vet to explain the situation and see if she had a solution. She told me that repellent wouldn't work and that Perle will always be like this because it's just her personality. That being said, she suggested a product called Feliway; it's a pheromone diffuser that calms the cat and is recommended for dealing with unwanted behaviours (like scratching things or peeing around the house).

    I've bought one to try out for a month. Apparently, it’s had nothing but good reviews, so I'm really hoping it does the trick and solves the problem.

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    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    Protect your doors and ignore her, or as soon as she starts doing it, startle her by stamping on the floor. You need to make it an unpleasant experience for her.
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    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    @Clopine, do you have shares in behaviourists or something? Every time someone asks a question, your answer is always "get a behaviourist in". There are plenty of other things to try before consulting a behaviourist; normally you only save that for extreme cases!!!
    Translated from French

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