How do I get my cat to stop scratching my clothes hamper?
How to Stop a Cat from Scratching a Clothes Hamper?
Having a pesky cat scratching on a clothes hamper can be very annoying. It’s tough dealing with cats that have become obsessed with scratching things that aren’t theirs. It’s possible to win this battle; here are some tips that could help you to make sure your cat respects your belongings:
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Distraction
Provide the cat with a scratching post they can use instead. The scratching post should be located near the affected area, so they can be distracted by the new option. Catnip has a seductive smell that attracts cats, which could make it easier to train them. You can try adding some catnip on the scratching post to attract them.
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De-clutter
Remove anything your cat could be potentially scratching, including the clothes hamper. If you don’t feel comfortable getting rid of the clothes hamper, try to make it less interesting for the cat. You can spray a citrus-based scent or cover it with something, like a blanket.
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Get creative
Cats tend to create habits, so if the distraction methods mentioned above don’t work, try to think of something creative that works for both you and your cat. This can include making it physically impossible for them to access the clothes hamper. Another possibility is to create a barrier between the clothes hamper and the cat by covering it with a net or closed-in box.
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Reinforce Positive Behaviors
You can reward your cat when they use the scratching post instead of scratching the clothes hamper. Praise them when they do something good and reward them with a tasty treat. In time, they will understand that scratching the post is the right way instead of scratching the hamper.
These tips should help you in stopping your cat from scratching your clothes hamper. If these methods still don’t work, you may need to seek professional help.
