They can have catnip in them, so it might not just be enjoying the scratching.
Catit Senses 2.0 blah blah it comes with a pocket for catnip. My cat has never even looked at it lol, but it's super cheap
It’s called a ssscat. I have one. Use it. Love it. It gets bonus points for occasionally scaring my wife even more than the cat.
That is my Bertram! Catit Senses 2.0 Self Groomer
I would recommend getting additional wall stickies, it did not stay on the wall with the ones provided.
Link please! Last time I looked for a product like this they all looked terrible. Edit: nvm looks like I just didn't want to spend $300 for two feeders. This looks pretty great though: SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O0UIPTY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_dDz8BbBFAGS50
Hmm. When does it scratch you? Just randomly? Maybe you're getting too rough with it or touching it too much and it's trying to tell you to give it some space?
Are you playing with it daily? I strongly recommend playing with it for at least 5-10 minutes every day. It's the equivalent to taking it for a walk and helps curb a lot of behavioral issues. This is hands down the best toy you can get - https://www.amazon.com/Cat-Dancer-101-Interactive-Toy/dp/B0006N9I68. My cats are also partial to chasing rolled up tinfoil balls that I throw for them.
For behavioral stuff I recommend checking out some books by the My Cat From Hell guy Jackson Galaxy. He's an actual expert, so his advice will probably be more helpful.
get some enzymatic pet stain remover. Its designed for the job. https://www.amazon.com/Rocco-Roxie-Supply-Co-Professional/dp/B00CKFL93K
Ssscat. Although the replacement canisters are kind of expensive, I recently found out that the top is fairly universal and apparently you can just use compressed air from Staples or something. We have gotten to the point that we don't even need it on our counters anymore, and mostly use it if we want to keep the kitties out of a room temporarily, we just set it outside, and they stay away without scratching at the door. We usually don't even turn it on anymore.
I've used this, SSSCat, to deter my girl from jumping to areas she's not supposed to. But she's a little devil, and if I remove it, she'll go back up. However, now I don't need to turn it on. It's presence is enough of a deterrent.
I got one of those roller balls for my fat cat, set to the smallest hole size. Means she had to kick it around a bit to get each piece, which really slows her down
You're absolutely right. Cats need to make a full stretch so that post obviously not tall enough for the cat to use for this purpose. I swear by this scratching post. I had a really long and big cat who destroyed the arms of my couch. It was years of this and I was at a loss about what to do since I had already tried the sticky stuff, sprays, and other posts. Finally I found that post and it was a night and day change in my cat's behavior. He LOVED that post and immediately stopped scratching my couch. He got the full stretch he needed and he loved the texture.
​
When people say that cats know what they're doing, they're right but it's not spite and it will never be spite. The human just hasn't figured out what it is the cat needs to change their behavior. Cats do things for a reason and it's up to us as caretakers to figure it out to stop the behavior.
You should go to a dermatologist to get a proper diagnosis because it really could be anything. That said, an easy thing you can do at home to check whether it's bacterial (aka "normal" acne) or fungal (malassezia) is to look at it under a black UVA light. I got this one on Amazon for $10. If the whiteheads glow orange, they're bacterial, and if they glow blue, they're fungal.
Just thought I'd share, cat parent to cat parent: There are these awesome food bowls that only open to the cat with the correct, programmed microchip. Expensive but totally worth it. I had three cats: one was a piggy and would eat the others food, one had some health issues that required her to eat only special food, and one that would get bullied. This prevented the pig from eating the others food and finally losing weight, prevented the sick one from eating food other than her own and the bullied one actually got to eat. And I didn't have to supervise anymore. Also!! I recently got an automatic self cleaning cat box and holy shit, what a game changer.
These are it: microchip feeder: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O0UIPTY/ref=cm_sw_r_fm_apa_3kdbCbY35BECD litterbox: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079C4LKZZ/ref=cm_sw_r_fm_apa_fqdbCbMPKT6M5
Check out this thing I used from Amazon! I have a climbing, chatty tortie who LOVED placing her ass directly on my dish towels/dishes and this fixed it. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0721735K9/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_xB3WDbTCKET80
Yes!! Came to say the same. Damn thing is $3 on Amazon and my cat goes insane for it. All the expensive toys just sit gathering dust.
Cat Dancer 101 Cat Dancer Interactive Cat Toy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006N9I68/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_VKE1J462AJ0QB3Z4S0DC?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Hilarious! Here's the product: https://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-Deterrent-Activated-Repellent-Environmentally/dp/B0721735K9
Clean every touchable surface with an enzyme cleaner.
Seal up the house and run a professional grade ozonator, you’ll probably want to place it wherever the smell is the worst.
Take him outside and brush him a few times a week, then give him a bath every once in awhile and brush him again
Buy this
ChomChom Roller Dog Hair, Cat... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BAGTNAQ?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
The brushing reminded me of this product that I found works really well for my cats. They both use it consistently to scratch their face even though the catnip has long since run out:
Catit Senses 2.0 Self Groomer, GRAY https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00D3NI2PG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_4K7AN7B9P51V9HA4X6DR?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Would highly recommend, not affiliated with the product in any way.
It's harder if you've left it later, but there are a few options.
Motion detecting repellent is probably the best way. They train cats that a location is off-limits because they'll get sprayed, even if you're not around. It happens every time, all the time, so they quickly learn. Best of all, it's never linked to you so it can't possibly harm your relationship with your cat. Alternatively tape down some aluminum foil on the area. Many cats hate the fact it russles as they walk on it and it will panic them.
If you're around when the cat gets scared though you then have to fuss over them to make them happy.
What's also important though is if your cats like the counters they likely like being high, in which case it will really help if there's an alternative. Shelving or a cat tree for example. These can be harder to simply implement but they can really help.
And finally, don't leave incentives for your cat to jump up if you do. Don't leave food out etc. Reduce the reasons they want to be up there.
Here ends my knowledge gained from watching My Cat From Hell
I’ve purchased these little things that sense motion and spray air to keep mine from jumping on a table where he was constantly knocking down a lamp! He jumped up maybe twice, was sprayed with air, and has never jumped up on the table again since! link
Can I make a suggestion? I put my cat on a diet last year after we found out he is overweight. After that he started doing exactly what your cat was doing. On Amazon I found a cat meal ball that you put the cat food in, and adjust the amount that comes out and then the cat has to work to get the food out. It has saved our lives! No more 4 am whining, no more sitting by the bowl crying. It allows him to eat slower so he realizes he doesn’t need to eat everything right away.
Here is the link: PetSafe SlimCat Meal Dispensing Cat Toy, Blue https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0018CG40O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_porBAb6V2Q0VF
I believe Air Wick makes them you can buy them almost anywhere. Drug stores, grocery stores, Wal-mart, Target, etc.
EDIT: There is an actual item made for the sole purpose of repelling pets. It's called a Ssscat
Sorry to hear about your dog, so hard to lose a pet. As for keeping my place clean, I swiffer and sweep once a week (more if needed) and use a stick vac on area rugs. For furniture and my duvet covers I use this thing to keep everything clear of cat hair. I’ve never not had a cat during my life and I’ve never found anything (including vacuums, rollers etc.) that works as well as this thing does in picking up pet hair. Even works on clothes.
Maybe try this? It's overpriced on amazon for some reason, you should be able to get it half the price if you shop around.
It will startle you and your SO just as much, but it's hilarious.
Do you have the budget for a microchip feeder like this: https://www.amazon.com/SureFlap-MPF001-Surefeed-Microchip-Feeder/dp/B00O0UIPTY
I follow a lot of cat accounts on Instagram and many use that type of feeder when they have to feed multiple cats or have cats that require special food.
You can try a ssscat device, you can buy it online and possibly at a local pet store. It is motion sensored so when it cat comes near it will put out a puff of air and it won't go into your room. We use it to keep the cats away from our door at night or they will lick our faces when we sleep.
Here is a link to amazon and reviews https://www.amazon.com/HunterShop-KIT19001-PetSafe-SSScat/dp/B000RIA95G
Get a microchip feeder. We have this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O0UIPTY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_GJ2eFbNXHHF60 Our skinny kitty is now 10lbs (spot on for his build), and our chonker is officially dechonked (down to 8lbs, right for her build). This one is great because it also has an intruder mode where it will shut if the chonker tries to get the food while the other cat is eating or pushes the other cat out of the way. I know it's expensive up front, but it you take the time to get the skinny kitty comfortable with the noise and movement it makes (ours was skittish for a bit), it is the best investment.
Get some scratching posts instead of cardboard boxes. My cats love these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000634MH8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_Hsk1FLX6UEcwN
They're a little expensive but so worth it. Very durable too.