Hi there

Our cat Jack has got into the habit of clawing the carpet when he wants to go out.

He simply comes into our eye shot and starts heartily scratching away until he's got our attention, then he leads us to the door. And because we value our carpet, it gets us to sit up pretty dam quickly lol

I'm certainly not letting him out when he does this as I don't want to reward it. I put him on his scratching post. But then I worry that he needs to loo so I can't relax until I eventually let him out. I've been sitting by the door and miowing myself before I open it for him to try and teach him a better way but he just looks at me like I'm demented

We've successfully got him into using his scratching post for scratching, so this really is attention seeking.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can get him out of this and maybe to miow for attention instead?

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Can you not get him a cat flap so he can go out when he chooses?

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Hehe my Cartman always did this when he wanted attention. I can't give any advise though as I just let him get on with it (since I don't value carpets, as I can get them for free). I really didn't find the damage to noticeable.

no, we rent our place so we can't

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Is there no way you can leave a window open etc, so he does not have to rely on you to go out?

If not, then I would get him a litter tray so he can toilet inside. What does he do at night/when you are out?

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If it's always in one spot try whacking down some double-sided sticky tape where he does it.

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Do not meddle in the affairs of cats, for they are subtle and will p*ss on your computer.

The Story So Far:
Spock (2010-2011), who began our love affair with kitties but whose grasp on the green cross code was sadly lacking.
Icarus (2011-...?), who loves noses more than anything else.
Mildred (2010-...?), who sings to the birds.

The twisted brainwrong of a one-off man mental.

I would get a cat flap or leave a window open for your cat to go out or otherwise get a litter tray. I have had cats all my life. Only got an 8 week old kitten (Freesia) 2 days ago and she likes litter tray. Im keeping her as an indoor cat to keep her safe....

My problem is the habit my cat has got into to gain my attention.
I childmind so have been really pleased to get rid of the litter tray. I really don't want it back. I can't get a cat flap because I rent and there isn't a window we can leave open at all. It's not safe. We have a tiny house. Only a patio door at the back and one window at the front.

I simply want my cat to stop scratching. I was just wondering if any of you had any pointers in how to teach him other ways of getting my attention.

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This would be great if it was. But it's usually right next to wherever I am at the time. LOL

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Trick we tried on Alfie that worked... he liked to leap up and scratch the leather sofas to get our attention.. we tried ignoring him.. that just made it worse.... didn't want to stick doublesided tape to the sofa or start squirting water round the falt so.... just blow in his face and then turn round and ignore him.... works a treat! He doesn't like it and associates it now with being naughty.. doesn't hurt him and doesn't involve any unessacery attention

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