how do i get my 1yr old. cat to start using its new scratching post and not scracth up the sofas?

Question

my cat is 12 months old and ever since it could its been scratching up my sofas, now i recently bought it a scrathing post, but he wont use it, whats a good way to get him to use that instead of the furniture?

Answer 1

I had the same problem... what I did (and I later found it was advised on the Internet) was wait until the cat was near the scratching post and ... scratch the scratching post myself. Turns out cats are immitators. Each time he uses the scratching post, praise him, even give him a treat now and then. Encourage him with your presence. Oh yes, and dangling a toy, or a piece of string from the top of the scratching post will also make him stretch in curiosity - and that's good, he will learn it feels nice.

You also need to temporarily cover the sofas with something that will repel him - like double-sided tape or aluminum foil, so that he will learn that those locations do not feel nice, while the readily available scratching post feels great to use.

Also, some cats are picky on scratching posts. It may need a bit of experimentation to find which scratching post works for your cat - perhaps one that is similar to the fabric of the sofa(s) will work.

Answer 2

Not all scratching posts are created equal. The best ones have poles that are wrapped in sisal rope, NOT CARPET. Carpeting is fine for any perches it may have, but the poles should be sisal rope. Cats love hooking their claws into it. More importantly, however, is that the scratching posts needs to be tall enough for you cat to get a good stretch from it. It should be at least 3 feet tall. Ideally, you'd get a cat "tree". A 5 feet tall or taller scratching post with multiple poles and perches so you cat can climb up and play or nap or whatever. You basically need to make this scratching post more inviting than your sofa. To encourage it's use, you can try rubbing cat nip on it, but even better, get a teaser toy and play with your cat all around the scratching post. Cats love to play and by associating this positive experience around the scratching post, you are encouraging your cat to use it. Whenever you do see your cat using the post you must reward it. Give it a treat and tell him how wonderful and beautiful he is (flattery goes a long way with cats!)

In a nutshell, if you have the right scratching post, your cat will use it. However, no amount of bribery will get a cat to use a post that's too short, too narrow or too unstable. Good luck.

Answer 3

I use Sticky Paws strips for the ends of my sofas. You get a lot in a $10 packet from the pet store and just have to leave them on for a few months till the cat starts using his post.

If your cat is catnip reactive (mine are not particularly) you can put that on a post. Cats love the sisal rope to scratch on too so a post should have some of that at the bottom. The inexpensive cardboard sratchers that lie on the floor are good too. Some cats are "up-scratchers", some are "down-scratchers" and some like a little bit of both.

Make the post a fun thing (trees are best as they sort of become a "home" for the cats who love to be up high) Play with him around it with a cat dancer or feather toy. When he uses the post for his scratching be sure to praise him LAVISHLY. Say all manner of silly things like "You are such a great cat!" "What a wonderful kitty you are", "That's my darling boy being SO good!" Lay it on with a trowel! He will react positively to this praise and the fun he has playing around it.

Answer 4

You should rub it with catnip every month or so, or when ever you see him eyeing the furniture. When he starts to scratch the frniture, take him to the room with the scratching post and lock him in there for 5 min. that should give him enough time to do what he needs to do. He will eventually learn that the scratching post is where he needs to go. When you see him scratching the post instead reward him with praise or a game. It may also be that you do not have an approprate post. here is a link to a good picture of one: http://www.abcdistributing.com/home/catalog/cat_item_pg.asp?P=103&G=364
you can get it for 16.95 from ABC , online. It is made out of the correct material, includes toy, and area cats like using as bed place.
I wish you good luck!

Answer 5

looks like you have a ton of answers, but none so far mentioned this. First Tell your cat the post it for it, and that the sofa is NO. put catnip on the tower like everyone else, and take your cat to the tower, put it's paws up on it then say goood and reward the cat, do this a few times... then the next day or sometime when you catch your cat going after the sofa, you can grab it, put it's paws on the couch bap it on the nose with a finger and say No!! then put it's paws up again, No!!, and do that till it takes it's paws down... then put it at the scratching post and reward, and pets. I know it sounds crazy, but I've got 9 cats and leather couches they dont touch... I've also got 3 "posts" and 5 towers.. 9 food bowls and 4 huge litter boxes... no smell tho cuz I clean the boxes all the time...

Answer 6

Cat nip is a good way of getting him to use it, and do encourage him. There are also many other things you can do. if he doesn't like that scratching post maybe try one that hangs from the wall. you could also get yourself something like a waterpistol and squirt him whilst in the act of scratching the furniture. don't say anything to him and he should learn to associate the behaviour with the water and stop doing it (if you do this only let him in that room when your around to supervise). However, be prepared for it to take time. if he's been doing for a year it might be hard for him to break the habit. Good Luck!

Answer 7

I never managed to train my cats not to scratch the furniture no matter what I tried, squirting water, foil, plastic covers, loud noises, smells they don't like, praising, etc. Now I've moved house I'm able to shut them out of the room when I'm not there but that's the only way that works for me. They've always had scratching posts and use them too, they just like to use posts AND chairs. My furniture is completely ruined but it's good to know it can't get any worse now they're not at it all day long.

My family cat never scratched the furniture, when she tried it my mother spanked her (that didn't work on mine either), I guess it's down to the personality of the animal too! Good luck.

Answer 8

I definitely KNOW this! Tack little squares of aluminum foil in "strategic" places on the sofa with safety pins - the cat will HATE contact with the foil! As for the scratching post, either rub catnip into it or some dirt from your yard, and be sure to play with the cat while it is checking out the post. Eventually the cat will go to it on its own. They like to call the shots! LOL

Answer 9

everytime you catch her doing in grab her little feet GENTALY and walk her over to her scratching post and put her feet on it telling her she is a good kitty. SHe gets the idea that THIS is the place to scratch, not the sofa. If you jsut spray you are telling her that sharpening her claws is bad and she will just ignor you. Praise her for useing the post, but hiss and snap at her when she uses the couch. Make sure EVERYTIME to move her to the post when you catch her or she wont get it.

Answer 10

You need to "attack" him with the post in the same way you would dangle a toy in front of him to get him to try to catch it. Be evasive for a little while, but then let him catch the post and he will find out that it is good to scratch. If he does indeed scratch, be sure to give him some treats each time you witness him using it.

It may take some time to educate him, but in the end it should work out.