i have a neutered male cat thats turning 1 this week and for the life of me i can't get him to stop scratching the walls and literally climbing them. he has been provided scratching posts and has decided they're boring, no matter what steps have been taken to make them more appealing. what i have just begun doing is lightly placing my forefinger and middle finger over his neck and shoulders to get him to stop and back away, but it only works for the time being. he has an obsessive personality, so obsessive that even my greatest efforts to focus his energy elsewhere haven't worked, and at this age he seems to have more energy than i do. even if i do manage to wear him out playing w/a toy, hes right back to it a few hours later and i don't want him to associate ruining the walls w/play anyway. he gets very caught up in one thing for a couple of months and then moves on to the next obsession, but this wall scratching has been going on for about six months now. would it help to give him a time out every time this happens? any suggestions?

Excellent and well thought out answers you two, I am impressed.

Carolyn if we ever meet, I might have to frisk you for squirt bottles. Just a precaution.

Greg

Your cat is young and kookie, but that also means he's healthy.  I'd consider a tower.  I believe Wal-Mart has them for $29; others can cost $300+.  They push into the ceiling with a spring.  Your cat might also need a playmate.  You definitely need scratching posts, as you mentioned.  I'd also consider one of those round floor toys (cardboard, catnip, and a ball) which keeps most cats amused for HOURS.  I heard the ball rolling last night.   I would not attempt to grab or restrain a cat.  One good shout and clap always stops them.   One of my cats pulled down track shelves, so we moved them.  He had come from a no-kill where they were encouraged to climb shelves to get to windows.  I would definitely try a tower and catnip.  If it ever gets too overwhelming, maybe Prozac for a week might do the trick. 

Get real barn board paneling for your walls, then the scratches won't be noticed.

It actually adds to them, a little more historic look.

Gus, chasing laser light, up and off the back of the recliner, all four paws hit the paneling, the look on his face, priceless, as his butt slides to the floor.

Just a suggestion.

Get it deeclawed?

thank you all for the wonderful suggestions. the leash is an excellent idea for this particular cat and i have all intentions of trying it, and hopefully i can grab that tower thing for him, too. for some reason this little guy isn't too detered by squirt bottles, it stops him for a few seconds but never banishes the act altogether. and no declawing!

Let us know how it goes.