(07-21-2010 10:32 AM)SammiCharlie Wrote: [ -> ]We had this problem with Charlie, but now (he's 5 months old now) we've found that because he's bigger he just jumps right up onto the sofa rather than clawing at the edge to get up, so no more little nicks in the sofa!!
Also, you mention yours is a leather sofa, so is ours. I brought a leather cleaning wax the other day and gave the edge of the cushions (where the most scratches were) a good rub and the little scratches have totally gone! As he was not actually scratching the sofa, just kinda clawing over it if he slipped off the edge or as he pulled himself up, they were simply surface marks and were easily fixed.
thanks will try that he hasnt scratched it thought it has ripped leather they are like small holes hardley noticable but just dont want any more.will get his nails cutt and hope fully he will learn.
(07-21-2010 10:28 AM)JanH Wrote: [ -> ]Clipping the claws will reduce the penetration.
Having cats is like having children. There will be some damage. It is not misbehavior. It is just kitten and cat behavior and is part of the cost for having a cat. A cost well worth paying. To you, the sofa is an expensive part of the interior decor that deserves being treated with care. For the kitten it is a combination of bed, cat furniture and acrobatic equipment. Do not expect the kitten to really learn your view of it and do not let that frustrate you and affect how you interact with the kitten. Try to provide the kitten with the same benefits in a more attractive alternative. Perhaps you can put a really nice piece of cat furniture right by the sofa and move him there when he does something on the sofa that you do not want. However, in all of this, keep in mind the relationship you want with him. Most of us WANT our cats to be by us when we sit.
yes i would like him to be able to come up in the evening i have been getting on the floor and holding him when he is sleepy as he does like to sit in my arms. i will cutt his claws and see how that goes thankyou for your advice.
(07-21-2010 10:19 AM)sue23 Wrote: [ -> ] (07-21-2010 10:00 AM)JanH Wrote: [ -> ]Consider a cover for the sofa until you can relax about it. Have you and your partner had indoor only pets?
yes we have when we lived with parents dogs. but never had a cat. we did want a dog but due to work commitments this would not be possible. theo has lots of toys to keep him ocuppied during the day.i have two rabbit but they are outside. we have put a fabric cover over the sofa but when he jumps his claws dig in to the leather i know he dosnt mean to as he dosnt know any better but my partner is getting abit upset by it.
Theo is a baby, he is completely and utterly dependant on you and your partner for everything in his life. I think that our pets really pick up on stress and I think that you and partner need to really relax and enjoy this wonderful and all too fleeting time of kittenhood. Try to involve your partner so that he see's Theo and his antics for what they are, a baby exploring his new world. Encourage him/her to bond with Theo by spending lots of time handling and interactively playing with him.
Anything in a home can be replaced. Stressing over furniture is sending a signal to Theo, he'll become stressed and you don't want to turn him into a nervous nelly.
I have a $3000. leather sofa in the family room, it is the favorite resting place of all four of our pet babies, two kittens (3 and 6 months) and two dog (one of them 110 lbs.) and I have found that a little bit of furniture polish (I use good old lemon pledge) once a week and it is as good as new. Put a scratching post behind it if he is using the back of the sofa as a way to climb onto it, he'll be able to jump up soon enough.
Try to put the emphasis back on Theo's needs for this important time in his life and socialization and you will all get through this happy and well adjusted
You have this incredible opportunity right now to help Theo become the loving companion that you want him to be, but kittenhood is very short and the bonds of love and trust need to be established now. Clip his nails and both you and partner love him to bits.
Dextersmom has "said" it so well! Look at it with a new perspective, in that it's just a piece of furniture, not a living being that needs to be loved & bonded with. You will have Theo with you for many years and this stage is an important one for him. Theo is a baby and is having fun exploring his home. They grow up way too fast and like Jan said, enjoy this stage while it lasts.
Also, I think it's just a fact whether you have a small child or a kitten, or a dog in your house, that there will be some issues with home furnishings. As Jelena once said, "just pick your battles" so to speak.....and look at his current one as nothing to worry about.
Phoenix sometimes climbs up the back of the sofa and I think it's cute. I did put his scratching post there, and now he uses that instead. He seems to really enjoy the challenge of climbing up things from the back. lol He does this to my chair in the living room too, to greet me and sit with me, because he knows I laugh & kiss him everytime. It's so precious.
He also has many options for scratching.....some on the floor and some posts. The minute he wakes up, he charges over to one of them and scratches to his hearts content. He learned this all on his own.......kinda like provide them & they will come. ;-)
Best of luck to you with your new fur baby!
Having leather den furniture, I can identify with your situation. Mishka is so energetic and strong that she flies over and off of the couch and loveseat. I learned when she was young that her back nails are the real culprit as she digs in to launch herself onto the floor. I bought king-sized comforters and covered the leather. I secured them with elastic strips that have clips on their ends (mitten clips for kids) and straps designed to hold sheets on beds, (usually found in the bedding or laundry basket section at Walmart, etc.)
These help so much, even though the furniture is covered up. That's the price I'm willing to pay to have our knuckleheaded Mishka here and happy.