How to stop my cat scratching at doors?

Hi everyone!

I’ve just spotted this thread and it’s definitely a situation I’ve been in too!

My lovely puss had even learned how to jump up at the handle to open the door!

Even when it was locked, the noise it made woke us up every single time. Plus, he would scratch at the door for hours... we found two solutions:

- Turn the door handle vertically (there’s usually a screw to undo the handle, then you just put it back on a quarter-turn round).

- Stick some double-sided tape everywhere he scratches! Cats absolutely hate having sticky paws! But a word of warning: don't put the double-sided tape directly onto the door (it's a nightmare to remove!), put a layer of masking tape down first.

Anyway, I hope that helps someone. It worked a treat for us, but there's no denying that cats can be incredibly stubborn!!!

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

Well, she didn't stay for long, Mamou! :)

Maaaaaaaaaaaamouuuuuuuuuuuuuu?

So Mamou, where had you got to then?

Yayyyyyyy, look who’s back! ;)))

I reckon the simplest thing is to leave the doors open....

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! :)

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.