Foster cat destroying carpeting, cat experts, ideas?

[prozacnation]

I know I seem to be full of questions lately so here's one more. I have a Mom cat and her six babies in my son's room. The kittens are in a two story condo and we leave the top open so the mom can jump in and out. We have to keep her locked in the bedroom because she attacks the other animals in the house.

Anyway, she has been trying to get out of the room and amazingly enough she has succeeded in unlocking the door and escaping a few times. Don't ask me how. When she gets mad she starts shredding the carpet by the door. By the time I discovered this she had done considerable damage to our basically new carpeting. My husband is pissed!

I tried covering that section of carpeting with cardboard, didn't work. I've tried spraying the room with feliway, didn't work. I am at a loss for what to do. I can't lock her in the condo with her babies because she would have no way to escape them and I'm afraid of what she might do.

At this point I'm contemplating separating her from the babies and taking her to another foster house. The babies are about 5 weeks. I would like them to stay together but not at the expense of my house. I personally have no rooms I can use without carpeting. Has anyone ever dealt with this in fostering or just having a cat?

[BrklynLiberal]

1. What about the bathroom? Do you have carpeting in the bathroom?

[prozacnation]

2. Bathrooms are a no go because of my husband and kids

I have promised my husband that the cats will only be in our office, and my son's bedroom (unless they are safe enough to roam the house freely). Besides in all honestly I'm afraid she would just start attacking the door and damaging the wood/paint.

The hard part is I understand that she wants to get out of the bedroom. I would also want to escape if I had six nursing babies. However, I can't let her out to attack the other cats and dogs. I can't remove all of the other animals so she can have freedom. It just sucks all around.

Thanks for the idea though, I appreciate it.

[radfringe]

3. kitty walk?

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=3100&Ntt=cat%20crate&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&N=2002&Nty=1

Portable outdoor enclosure
* Sets up in seconds
* Handy travel and storage bag included
* Works with pet doors

Now your cat can enjoy the sights and sounds of the outdoors with none of the dangers! This ripstop nylon mesh tube lets your kitty get fresh air, watch birds, or enjoy the sunshine. Weather-resistant metal arches stake firmly into the ground for set up in seconds and collapse into a mere 5" thick! Close off both ends or attach one end to your house for use with any pet door. Attach additional Kittywalks to lengthen tube. Use freestanding anywhere in your yard, or with any cat door. Kittywalk is 10ft. long and measures 19" x 31". Also includes ultra-sturdy nylon Travel Bag with zippers and handle.

[radfringe]

4. don't know how well these work....but

Soft Claws Nail Caps for Cats
* Prevents damage from scratching
* Simple alternative to declawing
* Do not interfere with normal retraction of claws
* Kit includes nail caps for up to four complete applications

Apply directly to nails; will not interfere with normal claw extraction and retraction. Lasts about 4 to 6 weeks. Kit contains 40 nail caps, six applicators tips, two tubes of adhesive, and complete instructions.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=2975&Ntt=cat%20nail&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&N=0&Nty=1