Partial vinyl wall covering

[First Promise]

Has anyone tried covering the vinyl walls?We have a cat that loves to claw vinyl .
Thanks, First Promise

[Donna D.]

I haven't heard of anyone covering the walls in an Escape. But all I can think, is if you have a cat that claws vinyl... this isn't the trailer for you. Perhaps you'd be better off with something else.

[Jim Bennett]

Yeah, it would be a near impossible feat. I just don't see how it could be effectively and efficiently done. It can be painted, but that does not make it a lot tougher. Whatever you did, it would need to be something that is on their solid, with an excellent adhesive. Something that looks good would be important in my mind too.

Training the cat not to claw would be a lot easier, in my opinion.

[Dave Walter]

Cats in trailers I would never have considered that.

[Zardoz]

Not too long ago, someone posted photos of their "peel & stick" backsplash that looked like decorative tile. While this is far from a perfect solution, something along these lines might be worth considering. We too travel with a cat and he spends all of his time under the blankets at the foot of the bed when we're not inside so it's not an issue for us.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Zardoz

Not too long ago, someone posted photos of their "peel & stick" backsplash that looked like decorative tile. While this is far from a perfect solution, something along these lines might be worth considering. .

In the galley area where it would be easier to replace the vinyl liner when needed would not be so bad, but I personally would never risk doing this through the entire trailer, especially with all the compound curves.

[Zardoz]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

In the galley area where it would be easier to replace the vinyl liner when needed would not be so bad, but I personally would never risk doing this through the entire trailer, especially with all the compound curves.

Good point, Jim. Only remaking solution is to declaw the cat .

[Greg A]

Declaw for sure, or look at egg camper, Oliver, Burro, etc that are double wall FG and there is no damageable liner.

[Jim Bennett]

Though I am not a huge cat fan, I cringe at the idea of declawing. I also like to seem people bring them along camping. I still think training them would be easier, but I do see lots of dogs that never received proper training too.

I really hate to say to not get an Escape, but if the OPs cat will definitely be clawing at the vinyl liner, unfortunately I would have to agree it might not be the right solution for them.

[War Eagle]

Originally Posted by Zardoz

... We too travel with a cat and he spends all of his time under the blankets at the foot of the bed when we're not inside ...

Rich, You obviously never saw the movie, "The Secret Life of Pets" or you would know what your cat REALLY does while you're away from your trailer!

[Zardoz]

Originally Posted by War Eagle

Rich, You obviously never saw the movie, "The Secret Life of Pets" or you would know what your cat REALLY does while you're away from your trailer!

No, I haven't ; but you can bet that it's on my list now!

[Iowa Dave]

I don't call the French Brittany Jihad Jake for nothing. I've had a declawed cat in the past. It changed the personality of the cat and we no longer let it outside because it could not defend itself but it was still a happy ornery cat that lived till it was 17. That said I've never really camped with a cat.
Dave

[amirie]

There are the little vinyl "caps" that you can put on a cats claws...like nail polish...you slip them on the claws---maybe for the time when you are in the trailer---although kitty may not like them...We tried them on a couple of ours that clawed furniture a lot.....one tolerated them okay--the other would just stand and shake her paws....But at least they aren't permanent or detrimental...

[NW Cat Owner]

Try to imagine getting the ends of your fingers cut off - on purpose. That's what it can be like to cats to get declawed. Many of them experience pain for the rest of their lives, although you may not know it as they're very good at hiding pain.

NEVER get a cat declawed (many vets won't do it any longer as it's considered torture). Work around their natural instinct to scratch and sharpen those claws. While I've not tried those nail covers, they seem to work for some cats (as has already been mentioned).

My current kitty, Spike, absolutely loves sharpening them on a flat box that has a layer of cardboard in it that I got at the pet food/supplies store. You can also get a version that hangs, as some cats prefer sharpening in an upwards position.

If the OP's cat will only sharpen on vinyl, I'd try to build something that would work for the kitty, instead of letting it near the trailer walls. Get the kitty used to using it at home.

If you really want to travel with your kitty, it can be figured out. Depending on how long you'll be gone, you can also look into boarding or a house/pet sitter. I was recently at a place that boarded cats in a huge room where they could lay in the sun, peer out the window and wander around, interacting with other cats. Or hang in their cage away from the other kitties. Not all places will keep them in a cage the entire time they're boarded.

[First Promise]

Thanks for all your ideas. Rest assured I would never declaw my cat.

[NW Cat Owner]

Originally Posted by First Promise

Thanks for all your ideas. Rest assured I would never declaw my cat.

[richardr]

Anyone try wrapping a table leg with 1/2 inch rope to create a scratching post?

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by Zardoz

Not too long ago, someone posted photos of their "peel & stick" backsplash that looked like decorative tile. While this is far from a perfect solution, something along these lines might be worth considering.

From someone who has done the peel & stick back splash I can say that a cat with sharp claws would likely make quick work of it. It is fairly tough for normal use and would be an extra layer of protection for the wall but it is pretty soft and would be damaged quite easily with scratching.