When cats scratch on new things, sometimes it is because they don't like the smell and they are trying to put their own smells on it.

Did I understand that you have only one scratcher? And then you bought a new one, did you keep the old one? Hopefully you did, because cats like their favorite things stay where they are.

Your cats really need more than one place to scratch (or two, if they have old and new now). I have multiple types of scratchers in every room.

Since your cat who is going after the carpet is showing a preference for flat scratching I recommend you bring in a couple of flat scratchers. Since he does use sisal, get a sisal one, but I would also add something made of carpet, and perhaps a cardboard one too.

The trick to getting cats to use their own scratching furniture instead of yours is to provide them with what they like. It's a learning process for sure, but in time everyone can be happy.

For now, while you work on adding scratchers and training them to use them, I would recommend you cover the carpet with a sheet. This will prevent him from digging his claws into the carpet, while the new carpet smell wears off and the house and cat smells begin to settle into it. Put a couple of the new flat scratchers in that room, so he gets into the habit of walking into the room and using those instead of the carpet. Eventually you should be able to remove the sheet.

If his claws are getting so long they are catching in things they need to be trimmed.

 

More about having multiple scratchers everywhere. In my experience, when a cat enters a space, he looks for something safe, familiar and comfortable, and he might have something on his mind a good scratch would settle as well. If they have a favorite scratching place like that in every room, they'll head for it and have a good scratch before anything else, most of the time.

I have only one cat now, and I observe this behavior all day long. She favors cardboard scratchers. She likes them flat on the ground or bed, and she likes the edges only. When the edges get scratched up I replace them. She has one of these on my bed, and in every other room in the house. Some are on the floor, one is in a long box, one is on her living room wall shelf.

But when I think back it was the same with the rest of my cats who are gone now. Even before I knew enough to provide scratchers, back in the 80s when I was a twenty something with my first cats, my furniture and the wood working got scratched up. Because they didn't have anything else.

I've noticed some cats like to have a good scratch after a meal, before starting to wash up. My Mazy cat was like that. Queen Eva likes to have a good scratch after using the litter box, so there's a scratcher near the litter boxes. And so on.

Over the years I've learned how to do it.

 

As long as you have enough scratching trees, posts, boxes in every area of the house they will eventually leave the new carpet alone IME.
I have 3 cats and only my eldest was a carpet fiend. If I caught him I gave him a telling off but ultimately when I'm out he was doing it anyway. I let him be even after a new carpet down last year, as it takes a lot of cat scratches to destroy a carpet and I care more about him than the carpet. He no longer does it, he lost interest.
Scratchers everywhere is my advice.

 

Thanks for the advice. Yes I have kept the old scratcher still of course, my other cat Sophie still uses it like a good girl . It is a bit tatty now but still perfectly usable and has a cat basket on top, I'd like to rotate it to expose the less scratched side by the wall but the shape of it will mean the basket is in a different position and not next to the windowsill which she loves to look out of from it. I guess buying a new one might be an option if other ideas fail. It bought a cardboard scratcher like I said but it didn't get any interest and they have never used those- but a carpet material scratcher you said, can you link me to some available?

With Indy, you're right that he likes flat scratching the carpet, but he used to scratch upwards on the old scratching post too (it has a flat scratching part also which Sophie uses). The new sisal scratcher/bed, didn't have a flat scratching part unforunately, so I attached an old carpet piece reversed along the base- Sophie has used it a couple of times but Indy still avoids it. He is a lover for safe spots,so seems all on his mind when he approaches it is jumping into his bed which is part of the problem I think- he doesn't sit around it below and when I did encourage him (like I said above) he still didn't show interest in scratching (and he doesn't really like catnip spray as he's gotten older.

I have some spare new carpet so think I will try wrapping some around the new scratcher and see what happens. I am tempted to do it on the old one near where he sleeps at night, but don't think it's wise as that could stop Sophie scratching it! The covering the carpet with a sheet temporarily is a very good idea and would make him show more interest in the scratcher I'm sure. but the carpet extends from one room into another and it will be hard to find and fix a sheet down, any ideas how to do this?

This new soft carpet does damage easily as it's soft underfoot, so it is fairly urgent I need to try something else as bits are breaking off and it's already starting to look tatty in places!

I have just found replacement sisal string and considering buying that and trying to replace the damaged old scratcher! Anyone ever tried this? It said to use staples or a glue gun which I don't have, to stick on. I think I will try it:

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www.amazon.co.uk

 

I wouldn't use the spare new carpet as he doesn't understand that scratching it on a post is not the same as scratching it on your newly carpeted floor and he'll know it's the same stuff.
I avoid carpet scratchers for this reason.

I know it's so frustrating but remember he's acting on an instinct, he's found a favourable, comforting spot for himself to scratch. He has no clue it's your brand new carpet.

For now, as lorilu said, cover the particular places he scratches with any cloth or even a piece of cardboard. I recall putting my trainers over a spot my eldest was scratching on brand new carpet, anything to cover it.

I know they are expensive enough now (they didn't use to be) but try to add more cardboard scratching boxes over the carpet parts he likes, he will eventually use them and leave the carpet alone. And to encourage him, scratch the box yourself whilst playing with him in that area. IME they do react to you scratching it, like they get it.

Only an abundance of other scratchers will ultimately stop it.

I've re-covered many posts with sisal rope, it's easy done but you need glue as most staple guns won't grip the cardboard that most are made of. And leave it to dry really well before allowing cats near it.
You can also buy replacement posts that come with multiple screws for generic scratching stations/trees.

 

I have ordered the sisal rope and some wood glue, to try and repair the old scratcher. Should/can I remove the old material, as it's very shredded in places, or best to just wrap and glue the new rope around it all?

I did have a cardboard scratcher but they showed no interest in it so I returned it. Is it really worth ordering to try if they never have used them before? They've always liked cardboard boxes to play in when younger but never scratched on them! The carpet is decent sized and covers the hallway and into the new room, there's a few places he scratches most but one is in the hallway and a scratcher will just get in the way there. I could try one in the new room but I think he will just avoid it and use the carpet there.

I've made my own cat scratch repellent spray using citrus peels boiled and a little washing up liquid following some online instructions and sprayed it on the areas he scratches the most, but it still doesn't seem to deter him scratching later. Is it maybe not strong enough or does the citrus smell not put some cats off? I did it every few days for a while, but I don't like doing it especially as Sophie might not like the smell and don't want to put her off coming into the new room so have tended not to bother lately.

They are closed in the kitchen/lounge area at night where their old scratcher/beds are, so I'm really hoping he will start using that scratcher again if I can make it nice again. I do feel like his claws need trimming though, any advice how for a somewhat nervous cat that doesn't like to be handled for long?

 

I would imagine the citrus spray you made is making him scratch that area even more as he recognises a scent he doesn't like and will put his own mark on it by scratching it more. Cats use scents as their security which is why I feel he will eventually stop scratching the carpet once over a bit of time he gets used to the newness if left alone and given loads of alternative scratchers. I know that's not a help to you right now.

Wood glue will not be strong enough to hold the sisal rope, I don't think it will hold at all. You'll see when you get the sisal it's somewhat frayed at the ends. I got really strong super glue from a hardware store, Tec 7, is the name. Remove all your old rope. Starting at bottom of post with cats nowhere near you, blob some glue on post and stick end of sisal down, hold til properly stuck, then start spiralling it around the post, pulling it really tight and pushing down as you go, to avoid gaps. Half way up you could use another blob of glue, and keep going til you reach top, secure and hold for a while with more glue. By blob I mean just enough to hold all the strands/end of the rope.

You could then roughly wrap around and tie off some of the old sisal you removed to keep it familiar to both your cats. I'd leave it an hour before letting cats near it just to ensure all glue has set.

I've done this method to repair posts and replace sisal many times.

I do feel for you with expense of carpet and frustration at your beloved cats destroying it but this is part and parcel of being a caregiver to the feline species and as I always tell myself, we chose to love them unconditionally 💖

Also i don't imagine it is the length of his claws, i only trim my 3 now and again, hardly ever as i don't think it's overly neccessary with enough scratchers. It involves a confident hold and knowing exactly what you're doing when you do get them in hold. If you feel you can't do it yourself a vet nurse will do them and i don't imagine they charge much. Although every time I trim mine they scratch more as i imagine their claws feel weird after it.
Good luck.

 

I wish I had a perfection solution for you as I've had the same problem ever since I got new carpets 3 years ago. I've tried everything and it's not for the lack of scratching posts. Mine doesn't give the cardboard horizontal type scratchers a glance. Tried different type of small scratching mats too. The only thing that has a effect, but is short term is the Beaphor Pet Behave spray, and as you say when it wears off they are back in the that spot. I put some carpet squares down and he started scratching in between the spaces at the main carpet. I think he likes the pull of the fitted carpet
Good luck, I hope you find a deterrent and be sure to let me know.