Expert: Jessica - 1/6/2011

Question
Hi, I have two questions.
1.  My cat will not use her new scratch post.  She used the first one all the time, I bought one exactly like it but she does not want to use it, any ideas?

2.  How will I ever catch her to take her to the vet, she runs away when I get near her.  I have rescued her and she stays indoors but I cannot get close enough to catch her and I don't want to traumatize her?  I feel she should have her nails clipped what do you think?

Answer
Hi Mari,

Sometimes it's difficult to get a cat to accept new belongings.  It's recommended to rub new scratching posts with some catnip to encourage scratching.  However, if she won't use it, it might be time to try a post made of a different material or of a different style.  Most cats prefer sisal posts in an inclined position, but those made of cardboard make great scratchers, too.  If your cat is scratching inappropriate items, try placing her scratching post in front of them.

As for getting her to the vet, this is important, and I find this is the most difficult part of keeping skiddish cats.  What I have found works best for most of mine is to keep a cat carrier out and open at all times.  Most cats end up using them as a cozy place to sleep.  I will further encourage the ferals to trust the carrier by feeding them extra special meals in the carrier each day, locking the door behind them, and then letting them out when they’re finished.  They come to associate the carrier with those positive experiences rather than something strange and traumatic.  Then, when it’s time to go to the vet, I place just a bit of food in the carrier and allow them to eat, and off we go.  Cats have a sense about vet visits, and it doesn’t always go completely according to plan, but this has worked most consistently for me.

I wouldn’t worry too much about trimming your cat’s nails.  While it is ideal to trim them, as indoor cat especially can get overgrown and even ingrown claws, the risk of that is probably not high enough to warrant bringing her in to the vet to have them trimmed.  If you can get her in to the vet for her yearly exam, or anytime she seems under the weather, I think that would be fine for her.  Her claws should be checked at those times to ensure they are in no danger of becoming ingrown.

Best of luck!

Jessica