I've tried using catnip and it doesn't work, I've even tried showing her how to use it but she doesn't like it or something. Also I've put it in a spot where she often scratches.
2006-09-13 09:12:42 · 17 answers · asked by Panada 4 in Pets ➔ Cats
She doesn't scratch on the furniture, she only scrtaches the walls...
2006-09-13 09:19:42 · update #1
I live in Canada and there is no Target here.
2006-09-13 09:23:42 · update #2
Where and how does she scratch? Some cats are horizontal scratchers - using the rug or the seat of the sofa - and they need scratching PADS rather than vertical posts. Is your post taller than where she reaches? It needs to be to be effective!
You have to experiment and find a texture which attracts her and then get her to play across the surface by ldrawing her there with kitty toys, like a fishing pole lure. If it is a surface she enjoys, then you should see her spontaneously scratch it. Cardboard or sisal are the most attractive to most cats, but some like carpet or burlap.
Then it's a matter of putting that desirable surface on top or in front of each molested surface. You've got to put the substitute close enough to block the original. If the kitty shifts to scratch next to the substitute, cover the original surface with a deterrant like double-stick tape or StickyPaws.
Not all cats react to catnip, so attracting the cat to the surface with toys you know she likes is a better bet.
Don't forget to trim her nails every week to minimize the damage she can wreak. This is better for her anyway as neglected nails can grow so long they get caught and ripped out, or grow into her pawpads.
Be patient and persistent! It's not easy to outsmart a cat.
2006-09-13 09:26:36 · answer #1 · answered by catlady 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Most cats don't start showing any real interest in catnip until they are at least a year old, so that wouldn't really work for a kitten right now and do try to find out which texture she likes to scratch best and make scratching the post a fun game so that she will want to use it.
2006-09-13 13:10:02 · answer #2 · answered by amtheperfectdrug 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a rope that you can wrap around the scratching post. It is really tough and comes closer to the feel of a wall texture. She obviously doesn't like the carpet texture. Keep diverting her back to the post. It takes a while for habits to develop.
I bought a scratcher that my cats love. It's a plastic round disk with a scratcher in the middle and a ball in a track around the perimeter. They scratch the pad then WACK the ball. . .scratch the pad and WACK the ball. . . I got it at Petsmart.
You might also want to invest in Soft Paws. They can be glued onto the front claws and last for 6 to 8 weeks. She can't damage anything that way, but you'll have one angry kitty when you have to hold her for 10 minutes while the glue dries! (g) Good luck.
2006-09-13 09:30:11 · answer #3 · answered by freedomnow1950 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To begin with, she doesn't know what the scratching post is for, so it doesn't interest her. Try sprinkling a little catnip on it for her to begin with. Personally, I have found that my cats prefer mats that I can buy from a dollar store to scratching posts. The posts are unfamiliar and don't have any interesting smells etc for a cat. But a bit of catnip sprinkled on it should at least get her interested in it. Hope this helped.
2006-09-13 09:29:45 · answer #4 · answered by §ilver §torm §ong 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the sense of touch of cats is unique in that cats will look to a certain textures to use to scratch. try using a different fabric or rope on the scratching post. your attempts to show her how to use the scratching post could have scared her, and thus she will not willingly use teh post and will avoid the area when you are present. consult a professional cat trainer, on this issue or a vererinary behavioralist. Also, read "Don't Shoot the Dog," By Karen Pryor. It contains valuable information on behavior modification. Keep up the efforts under the supervision of a professional and you will soon have your kitten using the Scratching post.
2006-09-13 09:24:27 · answer #5 · answered by reispinscher 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's like the old proverb, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink. The best thing is to discourge her from scratching everything, spray bottles work! And evrytime you see her scratch the post praise her! Honeysuckle works good too, my cat prefer it too catnip!
2006-09-13 09:18:12 · answer #6 · answered by pharfly1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some cats dont like scratching posts. if she starts scratching in one place, put the scratching post there. dont buy catnip from the shop get it from your vets its stronger + see if you can get hold of a mighty mouse thats got catnip in it and put it next to the scratching poll. my cat loves the mouse. Centaur or pet tags through your vets.
2006-09-13 09:17:45 · answer #7 · answered by amanda s 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try the cat scratcher from Target. It's a useless looking pad of cardboard, but my cat loves it and scratches on it all the time.
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If you go to the target.com website and search cat scratcher you'll see the type of thing I mean, and the name brand -- it may be available in Canada. It's a horizontal pad, about $10, including cat nip attractant. My cat scratches and sleeps on it. It nearly eliminated his digging behavior.
2006-09-13 09:21:17 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just show her again how to use it (just in case she missed it the first time). Take her paws and put them on the post. Im sure she will use the post.. cats love their scratching posts. Goodluck!
2006-09-13 09:19:10 · answer #9 · answered by PrincessShine 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is the same way my cat is but then i just gave up. I think it is because it is just like a post and they would rather scrach on the furniture and stuff, or maybe they are just stubbern. hehe
2006-09-13 09:18:21 · answer #10 · answered by sara 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋