Question:
In October my cat was hit by a car, we had him fixed up and he is now an indoor cat. He is totally healthy and back to normal except one thing---he won't stop scratching at everything. He paws(claws not out) at the area around his food dish everytime he eats. He paws at any cardboard or paper left out, cereal boxes, books, etc. He stops on his own after a while. He also paws at the door but doesn't want outside. It's like he is being compulsive and can't help himself. I take him away from whatever he is pawing and try to give him something else to do but he goes right back to it. The only way to stop him is to move everything out of sight that he does it to. It's driving me crazy. Anyone have any suggestions what could be done to get him to quit?

Answer:
It sounds as thought this is some kind of behavioral reaction, possibly to having his environment changed from outside to inside. Before the accident was he an in + out cat, or just outside? Cats do not adapt well or quickly to change, and it takes months for them to adjust to things, particularly having to do with their home life. Also, does he have any stimulation in the house, i.e. toys or things to do? A cat that has been used to the outside and all the stimulation outside might find it very boring with nothing to chase or play with inside the home. As long as he is eating and not acting sick, I wouldn't be too concerned, but would concentrate more on giving him stimulation and exercise in the home.

Answer:
If your cat has gone from being an outdoor cat to being an indoor one it's likely that he's just plain bored and pawing at things is his way of entertaining himself. If he's not using his claws then what's the problem? You should be thankful he's not shredding your furniture.

Answer:
Well, he has slowed down on the pawing and now he mixes it with obsessing over me, clinging to my ankle while walking, jumping up and bumping my elbow repeatedly, etc. He doesn't do any of this to my husband. I guess he is bored but I don't know what to do with him, he won't play with me with his toys, won't play with them alone, just wants to paw(it's only annoying because inevitably the item ends up on the floor or spilled) and chase me around. He was an in and out cat and doesn't go out now by his own choice. We do leave a window with screen open a bit so he can smell the outside smells. I would just like to train him to quit pawing and chasing but when he homes in on something it doesn't matter how many times I take him away and say no, he just goes straight back.

Answer: