How To Stop Your Cat Scratching Your Furniture - Forever!
By Larry ChamberlainDo not punish your cat for scratching, or for anything you see as bad cat behavior. Punishment is unlikely to have any beneficial effect whatsoever. Your cat simply will not understand if you try to punish her in any way for something she has done, cats do not relate punishment to the "crime", they are far more likely to relate the punishment to you!
Even cats that are allowed outdoors will sometimes scratch your furniture, although not as often as indoor only cats. Trees are the natural scratching surface for cats, and to a cat that is kept inside the arms and legs of chairs, and other furniture, sure seems like a suitable alternative!
The most common answer to this cat scratching problem is, of course, a scratching post, or even two. A great variety of posts are available from pet stores and online pet suppliers. They are fairly simple things to construct, but if you do make one yourself, be certain that there are no nails or other sharp things left sticking out to snag your kitty. And make sure that the base is heavy enough, if it falls over your cat will not want to use it again. Cover the post with rope rather than with carpet, the last thing that you want to do is give your cat the message that it is OK for her to scratch carpet!
Ensure that the scratching post is tall enough for your cat, cats like to stretch when they scratch it exercises their muscles. Spread cat nip on one of the platforms to make the post even more attractive to your cat, and attach a few toys to the post so that they hang down temptingly.
If you just put a scratching post down in front of your cat, what is she going to make of it? It may look like a good place to scratch and claw, but then she has been mildly admonished for scratching at things. You may have to teach your cat that it is OK to use the post, that it will not upset you, that scratching the post is what you want her to do.
Every time that you see your kitty about to scratch your furniture, pick her up and gently place her in front of the post. If she decides to use it give her plenty of praise and encouragement. Cover the furniture she scratches with some netting, or aluminum foil. Your cat should soon learn that it is unpleasant to scratch furniture, but great to scratch her post.
If your cat is in the habit of scratching wooden furniture, or doorjambs then strong smelling polish, or vinegar are often good deterrents, if you try the vinegar, check that it won't harm the surface of the wood. Some cat owners report that half an orange or lemon place by the problem has good results. Do not remove the disagreeable smells or covering from your furniture until your cat has been using her scratching post for about a month.
If your cat is a horizontal scratcher rather than vertical one, in other words she scratches up your carpet or expensive parquet flooring, try persuading her to use a piece of rush matting, tape the matting down to prevent the mat moving.
What ever you do to solve your cat scratching problem, do not even think of declawing, it is barbaric.
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RE: How To Stop Your Cat Scratching Your Furniture - Forever!
Cats usually have a favorite spot or piece of furniture they like to scratch. Here is what has worked for me. I take a piece of clear wrapping tape and stick it on it's tail. They hate that and have to work and work at getting it off. Then just cover the scratch area with the tape (which is barely noticeable) and they won't go near it. Also I rub catnip periodically on the scratching post to encourage them to use that.
Post by berinker
RE: Burnt Rice in a Pan
heat it up with a little water. Once it has boiled sprinkle on a liberal amount of baking soda. Let sit overnight.
If it is a porcelain pan, the porcelain itself might by be burned and you're best to discard. Aluminum can be brought back to a shine by boiling rhubarb leaves in water. Just don't eat the leaves. Ever.
Post by Sheraone
RE: Burnt Rice in a Pan
I did the same thing a few days ago, and powdered dishdetergent isnt working. im going to try the fabric softener, but I may just throw away the pan. It was pretty cheap anyway.
Post By Anna (Guest Post)
RE: Burnt Rice in a Pan
When I burn something in a pan . I take a little fabric softner . put it in the pan or dish with enough water to cover it . let it soak over night . i n the morning the burnt on stuff will just come right off . Then just wash really good in hot sudsy water to remove the softner . works every time . good luck
Post By M (Guest Post)
RE: Burnt Rice in a Pan
I always soak burnt-on food with dishwasher powder and water, sometimes over nite. If some but not all the junk comes up, just do it again.
Post By Linda (Guest Post)
RE: Burnt Rice in a Pan
If the burn is really severe, it may take a lot of time soaking and scrubbing layer after layer off, but it will lift off and you should be able to salvage the pan.
Post by susanmajp
RE: Burnt Rice in a Pan
This works for me every time, and it uses no harsh chemicals. Pour a little water in the bottom of the pan, just enough to barely cover the bottom. Then liberally sprinkle baking soda over the entire area, and on the sides if the rice is on there too. Let this set for several hours or overnight. If it dries out, you can moisten it, but it is not really necessary. Then just wipe out the baking soda, and the burned on rice will wipe off too. Also, salt will do the trick too...If the pan is aluminum, you may not want to go the baking soda route, since it will discolor the pan.
Post by teachpad
RE: Burnt Rice in a Pan
All of the soaking and boiling ideas are good... remember that water is the universal solvent and time is its friend. If the pan is stainless on the inside you can also use oven cleaner but protect your lungs.
Post By Mickey (Guest Post)
RE: Burnt Rice in a Pan
Put the dishwasher powder detergent in the pan, covering the bottom with about 1/4 inch. Add about 1 inch of water, enough to make a thick solution.
Then simmer on the stove, watching carefully, for about 1/2 hour. Stir as it simmers, and the burnt stuff will gradually loosen. Add water if needed.
Post By jean (Guest Post)
RE: Burnt Rice in a Pan
Fill it with some water and add a squirt of dish soap and bring it to a simmer. Let it "cook" a while (covered if you can). After a few minutes, the gunk should float to the top, making it easy to scrape it out. This also works with burnt on stuff in a crockpot (fill with water, add dish soap and "cook" overnight).
Post By Shellee (Guest Post)
RE: Burnt Rice in a Pan
I would try soaking it in dishwasher powder. Buy it at the dollarstore, for soaking, the off brand 's work just as well as the name brands.
I keep a box under my sink "just in case"
Post by Xummer's Nana
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