Hello, i was just kind of curious how i can get my kittens to stop scratching the end of a bed or a chair and start on the mini cat stratch post on my doorknob. Ive tried rubbing their paws on it but that doesnt work. Any suggestions?
Thankyou!
2006-10-12 09:30:54 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
rub catnip on it... no matter how old the cats are they will definatly use it...
2006-10-12 09:33:52 · answer #1 · answered by Caitlin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Those doorknob posts are for the birds!!! Try getting your cat a small cat house. It can have its own spot and scratch at the same time. Make sure it is sturdy. Also make sure any carpeted post you get is a different color than your own carpeting. There are also stand-up scratching posts that have a rope around it instead. When the rope gets frazzled, you can replace the rope. I had 5 cats at one time. 2 preferred the rope post, 2 preferred the cat house, and one liked them both. Try to get their claws into the post, then let them disingage themselfs. When they realize that you will leave them alone, they will return to the post. Rubbing a new post with catnip is a must!!! However, catnip is not effective on cats younger than 4 months, maybe 6.
2006-10-13 00:48:16 · answer #2 · answered by renbrat 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Each cat has preferences about the type of scratching post they prefer, so a vertical one may not be their thing. Try different ones that they might like better: different orientations like flat or vertical pillar, hanging or stationary, textures - rope or cardboard, etc. One other thing to keep in mind is where the scratching post is located; you could experiment with putting in a special hidden kitty corner or a more central place they can reach easily.
Also, discourage the bad behavior when you catch them doing it -such as with a squirt from a water gun or a loud clap. And encourage the scratching of the post with catnip or treats until they get the hang of it. Try putting the scratching post (at least initially) near the wrong object they like to scratch so the right behavoir is easy for them to do instead, and then over the course of a few days move the post to wherever you intend to keep it.
2006-10-12 17:48:39 · answer #3 · answered by mjb 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitely the catnip thing... Buy a big bulk tub of it (usually cheaper that way anyways) and rub some of it into it at least once a day...
2006-10-12 16:41:35 · answer #4 · answered by sevenn 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the ones that hang on the door knob never did work for my cats, however, the free standing ones you buy at walmart for like $10 really do work
2006-10-12 17:22:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can rub catnip on it and every time he/she is scratching something scold he/she and put it on the cat post and tell he/she good boy/girl
2006-10-12 16:42:06 · answer #6 · answered by Archer_Dude 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
introduce it to them rub a little catnip on it or food or try playing with it with them
2006-10-12 16:35:40 · answer #7 · answered by Ambegurl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hey they use as a last resort
put catnip in it if u want make it smell familiar to her
2006-10-12 16:57:59 · answer #8 · answered by kitty_17 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋