How do I train my cat to use the scratching post and not my sofa?

Answer 1

There is a spray you can buy from the pet store which repels animals from scratching furniture ( don't remember the name ) and also a product called Sticky Paws . I tried both of these products when i got my twin kittens . I had just bought new leather sofas and was mortified when they ignored the large play-tower/play-gym with 2 scratching posts on it and proceeded to claw the heck out of my new furniture . I broke them of the habit thanks to Sticky Paws and the spray ( my saviours ) .

Answer 2

The catnip's a great idea, most cats love it. Also, whenever your cat starts scratching put the scratpost infront of the place they are scratching. If they still don't take any notice try giving them a little spray, this is not cruel, it doesn't hurt them but at the same time they don't like it so if you spray them ONCE each time they do something bad they will soon learn not to do it. I've had plenty of cats and it's worked a treat on them.

Just wash out an empty spray bottle and use that or you can get them in pound shops all over the place.

Answer 3

Along with making the scratching post smell of catnip I undertand there is something called sticky paws that you can temporarily place on the part of the sofa they like to scratch, they really don't like to touch this and soon enough they will be put off using the sofa.

Before I'd heard of this product my mum and dad's cats went through the traditional method of being screamed at when they scratched the sofa. They still do it to this day.....in fact I think it adds to the fun for them!

Answer 4

Cover the post with catnip and spray the sofa or around the sofa with pet repellent. You could also use a squirt bottle when you catch the cat scratching the sofa.

Answer 5

Everytime you see your cat scrathing the sofa, pick it up and take it to the scratching post. After a time your cat should get the message. This worked for me. My cat always usses the scratch post now.

Answer 6

Definitely use cat nip on your scratching post. We usually remove our cats from the furniture they are scratching and place them at the scratching post. Also squirting them with water when they are behaving badly will usually stop them for the time being. Consistency is the key though. Try placing several different types of scratching posts around your house so they have a variety of surfaces and places to scratch. There are products in pet stores, clear plastic sheets with adhesive, you can place on the surfaces your cat is scratching. They will not like the smooth surface and supposedly will be trained to stay away from it. I have not tried it myself, but it was recommended by our pet store.

Answer 7

Buy some catnip spray and spray LOTS on the scratching post and take your cat to it - hopefully it will get the message. If not and you catch it scratching your sofa get a toy water pistol and get it wet every time you catch it at the sofa. Good luck.

Answer 8

This worked for me with my cat. Take the cat up to the post, grab his/hers front feet and rub them/ force scratch them on the post.
Also try something called (dont know the name) but it repels cats from comming near that smell. You can buy it at any local pet store.... It comes in a spray that you spray on areas you dont want your cat to scratch on...

Answer 9

It took a while to break my kittens of this habit, but we did eventually do it. I keep a spray bottle of water with just a little of vinegar in it on my coffee table. Cats hate the smell of vinegar, but it won't harm them. Whenever they scratched the couch, they got sprayed, but if they played with their scratching post they got a cat treat. It took time (and a few bags of cat treats ;), but they got it. I hope this helps!

Answer 10

Try putting some catnip on the scratching post.