How do I stop my cat from ruining my window screen?

[alarimer]

He has wrecked three of them already. I can't open my windows because he'll get out (and bugs will get in). Now that it is starting to cool (in nearly November!), I would like to turn off the a/c and open the windows but he keeps scratching at the one screen that is still intact and I am afraid it is going to go soon.

[Haole Girl]

1. You can clip their claws

Just don't clip their hind ones! Also, you can try that odor/repel spray (it doesn't really smell that badly to humans, but cats hate it). Don't be upset if the cat wins...they have stubborn streaks a lot of times! Good luck!

[alarimer]

2. Well I live in an apartment

I think they'll charge me for the ruined screens. I am planning on getting them fixed. I have heard of something called cat-proof screening which is supposedly stronger than the screen that's usually used.

[reyd reid reed]

8. One other thing to try...

Spray something sticky on the screen. Rub a glue stick over it or spray some Elmers spray adhesive on it. Cats HATE the sticky on their paws.

[idgiehkt]

11. just make sure it's non-toxic

because they will lick every bit of it off of their paws.

[reyd reid reed]

15. True.

If it weren't for ants and other six-legged creatures, I'd suggest sprite or something else that dries sticky...but you don't want ants.

Glue sticks might not be bad...a lot of them are non-toxic for the kindergartners who like to eat 'em.

[hedgehog]

3. Get a couple of big dogs that like to bark at squirrels.

They'll tear up the screens so fast you won't have to worry about the cat.

[Kali]

4. Is it possible to put some 1/4 inch hardware cloth on the inside?

I have chicken wire over screen on one porch, it has worked pretty well and looks kind of country-rustic "cool" too.

[Solon]

5. I solved it because of the way the window was designed...

The window is 2 paned, over/under, and you can open one or the other, so I slid the screen to the TOP of the window, and open up the top when I want some air. My cat jumps up to the windowsill to be let in, and I pop open the bottom part of the window to let her in.

[Catshrink]

6. I replaced the screens with "pet screen"

it's a plastic/vinyl stuff that they can't damage. I've had it up for three years and it's as good as the day I installed it. It was about $10 for enough fabric to replace the screen door screen. It's more than the other stuff but it's cat proof.

[peekaloo]

9. I second this suggestion.

I had the screens remade in my parents house about 3 years ago, too, and the cats haven't been able to tear them up.

:thumbsup:

[alarimer]

18. I am going to do something like this

at least for the living room. I can't figure out what to do in the bedroom because those screens fall out when you push on it. I would have to find a way to secure them. I can't reach them from the outside because of some hedges that are right against the building. I might have to ask maintenance to do something about that too.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

7. You can get soft paws. They're little rubber caps for their nails.

My friend had to use them on a cat that was wrecking the furniture and thankfully refused to go the CRUEL route of declawing the cat.

[RevCheesehead]

12. My two little kitties just got their nails done today!

(The third, the older one, came to me declawed)

I just couldn't bear the thought of putting them through that surgery. And my vet was relieved! She happily put their soft paws on. :)

[huskerlaw]

14. Soft paws

don't really work for screens.

The tips are still narrow enough that they will actually get their claws stuck in the screen. It won't tear, but then the cat is rather unfortunately stuck.

I actually had to quit using soft paws because I'm leaving the windows open more now and my poor baby kept getting his claws stuck.

Soft paws do work fabulously for furniture though!

[bertha katzenengel]

10. SQUIRT BOTTLES

fill squirt bottles w/ water and keep them handy everywhere. when cat misbehaves, squirt it and say very strongly "NO!" or "GET DOWN!" soon cat will learn the words and you won't need the water. and believe me when the water hits the cat, the behavior STOPS.

good luck.

[madinmaryland]

13. That works great with our cats.

Between that and the "pssssssssssssst" they respect the spray bottle!!!!

:hi:

[reyd reid reed]

16. The spray bottle and the psssssssst have worked for most of mine

but there's always one who's more stubborn. I've got one now who sits there and looks at me like she's saying, "Yeah? And your point....?" while she just keeps on with whatever she's doing that she shouldn't. Doesn't miss a beat.

Good thing she's a sweetie.

[alarimer]

17. that will work as long as I am home

But I am gone all day during the week.

Although I suppose it is a good idea to close the windows when I am not there. It does get hot inside even if it is cool outside.

[Robeson]

19. Scratching post and water bottle...

...is the best methods I've found. Also, wooden blinds are another option.