Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/scratching carpet

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Expert: Dear Tabbi - 7/28/2008


Question
I have two cats and during the day, i keep them in the basement.  my basement has another room and i keep them in that room with the door closed. my older cat doesn't like to be confined to one room so she scratching at the bottom of the door. how can i get her to stop. i have put a runner there but she scratches so much it is really useless.

Answer
Ruby,

Have you tried getting a large dog run/kennel and leaving the cats outside where they can be safe but still look around? Cats HATE to be confined where they can't see what is going on.

I would get a couple of sheets of plexiglass and attach one mid-way up the door and also a piece that will go halfway under each side of the door.

Also get them more toys, paper bags, boxes, little cat balls, stuffed mice, etc....things that will help keep them amused.

Tabbi

Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)

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Dear Tabbi

Expertise

My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.

Experience

Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).

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