I learned a life lesson from my cat. "Kitties do what kitties do and every relationship requires compromise." Specifically in this instance, kitties with claws scratch. Tried all kinds of things got get him to stop scratching the furniture and things. Sprayed water on him...just made him more skittish and crazy acting, sprayed scents like cinnamon apple cider on the spots he would scratch...works for a bit but the scent wears off, tinfoil... they may hate it but who wants everything covered in tinfoil, scratchie post... completely ignored it, etc. etc. Then one day when he was scratching the edge of the floor rug, I just let him go for it. The 200dollar rug is frayed but the 2,000 dollar couches are safe.
Kitties scratch, the compromise is what he scratches.
Same with his territory. Kitties dont just have horizontal territory they think vertically as well. Most vertical places are fine... except for the kitchen cabinets and table.
There are lots of other things that kitties, turtles, children and some people do and require that are specific to their nature.
Knowing what you can change, what you can not, and where you can compromise makes life a whooole lot easier.
Babies cry, kitties scratch, and turtles pee when you pick them up. Beware [
]