The cat is tearing up the wallpaper - a cause-and-effect relationship
If we talk about the reasons why a cat shows a passion for scratching wallpaper, it is worth noting the following:
- protection - scratching the wallpaper allows the cat not only to reduce the length of its claws when they grow too long, but also to sharpen them, which in nature is necessary to protect its territory from potential enemies (although there are no enemies at home, animal instincts cannot be canceled);
- territory rights - when cats tear up wallpaper, they leave their scent on it. By doing so, they claim territory, which other animals will immediately sense. This behavior occurs more often when a competitor appears in the house - a dog or another cat.
- stress – sometimes cats start tearing up wallpaper due to stress. This can happen even with well-mannered pets. The cause of stress can be completely harmless things: guests, rearrangements in the house, the appearance of new animals, a visit to the veterinarian, or fireworks outside the window. The list can be continued endlessly, because each cat has its own triggers.
- boredom - just like us, cats can get a little bored in the apartment. Especially when there are no toys nearby and the owner is absorbed in his own affairs. So the cats entertain themselves with whatever they can. And if you have good wallpaper and a wonderful sofa at home, you can come up with many interesting activities.
Proper upbringing will help you cope with many reasons. It is better to instill useful habits in a cat at a young age (up to 3 months); if this period is missed, incorrect behavioral patterns may form. Fortunately, you can get rid of them too. True, this will be more difficult to do as an adult.
Wall panels
The panels can be called a truly anti-vandal finish. Many of their types can withstand even the claws of large and aggressive cats, but those covered with vinyl film leave unsightly stripes. The strength of the panels can be enhanced by using a varnish coating, which is applied in 2-3 layers. Moisture-resistant furniture varnish is ideal for this purpose.
Plastic panels also protect walls well from attacks, however, if they are hollow inside, dogs can easily damage them. Cheap MDF panels are not worth buying at all - they do not tolerate washing well, and if you have a pet, cleaning should be more frequent.
Animal Proof Wall Panels
Gypsum boiserie panels are not a very good choice. Their texture attracts the animal; there is a high risk of damage to the plaster by the claws and teeth of pets. A good option for walls is wooden panels and lining, but this type of finishing will not fit into all interior styles.
scratching post
If a cat is picking at wallpaper, it may have nowhere else to sharpen its claws, but it needs it. Therefore, you should equip your house with special scratching posts, which are sold in every pet store.
You can attract your pet's attention to this useful attribute with sprigs of mint or by hanging a toy on top.
If you are wondering how to protect the corners of the wallpaper from a cat, special scratching posts are sold for this case, which are attached to the corner of the wall; they look very aesthetically pleasing.
Fingertips for claws
What to do if a stubborn cat continues to peel off wallpaper in a new place? In this case, the so-called anti-scratch fingertips come to the rescue. These are silicone caps that are placed on your pet’s claws. The size is usually universal, they are suitable for kittens 1-2 months old, and cats up to 7 kg. They are sold in packs of 40 pieces, with a tube of glue. The anti-scratches last for about a month and a half, then they come off along with the peeled layer of the nail plate.
| Fingertips for cats cost about 300 rubles. for 40 pcs. |
Some owners resort to the surgical method, performing “soft paws” surgery on their cats. This method is very painful and complications are common. Not every domestic cat can accept the absence of claws. His behavior may well change for the worse.
We should not forget that aggression begets aggression. The use of screaming or physical force towards the animal can only aggravate the situation and the cat, out of spite, will peel off the wallpaper in another place. Pain causes stress, which leads to damage to wallpaper and furniture. Cats feel great love and care. If you try to understand your pet and establish contact, training will proceed quickly and without associated problems.
Smell repellent method
Most cats develop persistent habits, that is, they prefer to tear wallpaper in certain places.
To avoid this, you can sew fabric bags and soak them in essential citrus oil (felines do not like the smell of citrus), scattering them in these places.
But in this case, it is also important to get a scratching post, because the cat may simply start scratching another wall.
What to stick on the wall instead of wallpaper to prevent cats from scratching
They can be replaced with other finishing materials.
Furry pets are not interested in walls:
- finished with decorative plaster;
- lined with tiles imitating valuable tree species, brickwork, marble;
- finished with MDF and PVC panels, laminate;
- painted.
Laminate is known as flooring. But it is also suitable for finishing wall surfaces.
Use the right wallpaper
Everything can be taken care of in advance, even at the renovation stage. If you know that a naughty cat will live in the apartment, feel free to choose anti-vandal vinyl wallpaper or glass wallpaper. The mustachioed man will have no chance with them. However, as with painted walls or ceramic tiles.
If your cat picks up wallpaper, you should not punish it, much less treat it cruelly. Approach this problem wisely and creatively, because your pet is not to blame for the habits nature has endowed her with.
Carpet and laminate
As a rule, pieces of carpet are used to make a kind of scratching post covering for certain sections of the wall. The soft, fleecy material will be immediately favored by the pet, and as the carpet is torn, it can be replaced with a new one. Laminate will also provide reliable protection for walls - it is used like panels or lining, and the natural grain of the wood will immediately make the room look rich and stylish.
Finishing part of the wall with laminate
You can keep the interior intact even if you have a lively and aggressive pet. There is no need to scold and punish him once again - you need to take a number of effective measures and forget about the problems once and for all.
Personal space
When buying an apartment, a person equips it according to his needs and desires. But what about the cat? Sometimes, when welcoming a kitten into the family, the new owner does not make any changes to the layout of the house, with the exception of placing a tray and bowls for food and water. If you are one of these owners, then you should not be surprised that the cat is looking for something to do in places that are not suitable for it - it simply does not have “its own” place.
In a perfectly sterile apartment, it will be very difficult for a cat to find a place for itself.
Apartment arrangement
It is recommended to arrange several interactive corners in your apartment or house before purchasing a pet (their number and size will depend on the size of the room). Play areas allow the cat to realize a number of hunting and territorial instincts, which the owner seeks to avoid destructive encounters with.
If you prohibit your cat from approaching the wallpaper and in return provide him with a number of other interesting things (such as a scratching post), sooner or later the pet will switch his attention
The presence of interactive zones will quickly switch the pet’s attention from the wallpaper that is dear to the owner
The play area can be purchased ready-made or built independently. Some owners use a trick and build an interactive platform for the cat into existing items. For example, they wrap the legs of a coffee table with felt, creating an impromptu scratching post.
Complete set of gaming complexes
Specialized areas for cats, as a rule, consist of several differently grouped parts:
- A closed house in which the pet can rest from the events around it;
- Tall poles covered with felt, designed for grinding down claws;
- Elevating platforms that satisfy one of the cat’s main needs - to look around the entire territory entrusted to him at one glance;
- Small interactive details, in the form of dangling soft balls, which your pet will spend many hours trying to catch.
There are many inventive options for adapting complexes to different types of housing
Recommendations for purchase
The range of gaming complexes is large. There are areas intended for one individual, and there are areas for entire cat families. When purchasing, the owner should be guided by both the temperament of his pet and the size of the room. The sizes of play complexes vary from several meters in length and height to compact suspended structures.
When choosing a model, do not forget to take into account the size of the pet and its temperament
Regardless of the type of model chosen, there are a number of tips that will help you purchase a durable and strong complex:
Look for complexes upholstered in hard material. Soft textures quickly become unusable and require replacement;
Check the upholstery for quality. To find out how long the upholstery will last, just rub it with your palm or a wet handkerchief.
Fabrics that are stained or have a strong odor should be discarded immediately;
Pay attention to the reliability of the frame. Wood, metal and plastic are preferred materials
Hanging compact options made of synthetic materials take up little space, but are inferior in strength to full-fledged options;
Make sure that the complex has several attachment points. The ability to attach the structure to the wall and/or ceiling will be a significant advantage. Fastening with nails is unacceptable, as it is potentially traumatic;
Choose sites that pay attention to detail. Holes, ladders, platforms - all this allows the cat to realize its hunting instinct, allowing it to take cover and jump out unexpectedly.
With the purchase of a gaming complex, it is also advisable to acquire a special vacuum cleaner that allows you to clean small surfaces from accumulating cat hair.
Paint it so it's pleasing to look at
Painting is a surefire way to protect your walls from claws. Designers advise combining colors to dispel the boredom of the interior:
- Make the border below the midline for classic styles. You can use stucco moldings for styling.
- Place the border above the center line for a creative design. This option is suitable for a children's room.
- Divide the wall vertically - “draw” with tape and paint many narrow strips or one wide one.
- Make color inserts, decorating them with frames or other creative ways - rhombuses, squares.
- Highlight the accent wall with a bright color (red, orange, light green, turquoise), and leave the rest neutral.
- Draw a contrasting strip along the entire perimeter of the walls, make several horizontal stripes of the same color, but in different shades (gradient effect).
- Paint the walls with slightly tinted white paint. Then apply stains with dark paint using a sponge dipped in water for water-based compositions or in white spirit for oil-based ones.
The cat is in the house. Problems or joy? How to protect walls
How to decorate the walls so that the cat cannot damage the walls? Little children, begging their mother for a cat, think that all that awaits them is purring and funny games. An adult, when getting a pet, must be aware that a cat means daily feeding, cleaning the litter box, hair everywhere, broken cups and overturned flower pots, vaccinations and sterilization, illnesses and many other “charms”, including scratched furniture, and peeled wallpaper.
But not everything is so sad. Firstly, cats, if you love them, with their affection and energy are able to neutralize all the negative aspects of their coexistence with humans. And secondly, now there are many all kinds of devices and life hacks that can make our lives easier: special gloves for combing fur, filler for trays that absorb odors, nail clippers, scratching posts, and even anti-vandal cat wallpaper.
