How do I let my cat use a new scratching post?

Question

My cat always scratch our furniture..so my dad decided to make a scratching post out of a red carpet...but still my cat wouldn't use it...I tried to let her use it but then...she'll just go away and now, she still scratched our furniture...:( what should I do?

Answer 1

We have four cats and have trained them all how to use the scratching post.
When I would see one of them going at the furniture I would clap my hand very loudly and say "NO" as firmly as I could.
Then take the cat to the scratching post and basicaly show them how to use it.
It took their paws and scratched them on the post.

The first cat only had to be shown once.
The second cat had to be shown about three times.
The third cat had to be shown about 6 or 7 times.
The fourth cat was our problem child, we had to show her about 10 times a day over a two week period, but she got it.
None of them go near the furniture now.

Another thing I'll add is to make sure the post is high enough...cats like to strech out when the scratch...also make sure that the base is also covered in carpet...as some cats prefer to scratch vertically.

Good luck, with time you'll be able to train them.

Answer 2

You are going to have to train your cat to use it. The first thing that you should do is try rubbing some catnip on it - that should get her attention. When your cat uses it, make sure that he gets a reward - maybe a treat he really likes - right there at the scratching post immediately after he uses it. It can be hard sometimes for a cat to differentiate what is okay and what is not when it comes to scratching especially if everything has roughly the same texture. You can try discouraging your cat from scratching furniture, but it might be better to bring him over to the post and run his paws over it and see if it registeres. If he still doesn't get it then you may have to get a different kind of post made of rope or something that is very different from the furniture so that can help him differentiate between what is acceptable and what is not. I think your best bet is to use positive reinforcement for using the post and distracting him from the furniture. Hopefully he will get it.

Answer 3

Hello,

Keep an eye on your cat and every time it goes to scratch the furniture, say 'No' in a firm voice then gently pick her up and take her to the new scratching post. Gently put her front paws on the post and make little scratchy movements. She should soon get the message that it's ok to scratch there and leave your furniture alone.

Cat's don't just scratch to keep their claws trim - there are scent glads in their paws. Does she have a favourite toy? You could dangle this from the scratching post with string. This will encourage her to go to the post and will also help to give it your cat's scent. It might help to move the post in her favourite scratching place.

Best wishes.x

Answer 4

I used not only cat nip spray, but, also I would put a few treats on the very top of the post. I would lead my cats up the pole and stick their faces in the treats. It actually only took one time to do the treat thing too. You might have to do it more than one time with the treats. I don't know the temperament of your cat. Continue to use the cat nip spray too. Just as an attraction to the post. I had 6 cats, all inside and they all had their claws. I was amazed on how fast they learned to use the scratching post instead of my sofa and chair!

Answer 5

the best way to get a cat to scratch the scratching post is to buy catnip spray and spray that on it they will definitely go after it then I have this and it worked wonders

Answer 6

try brewing a cup of strong cat nip tea. let cool,pour into spray bottle and generously mist the post. the caprpet may have a new smell to it that we can't smell,but cats have way better senses than us and she don't like it. this should work. especially if your cat loves a bit of the nip

Answer 7

make the scratching post smell like somthing your cat likes, like catnip.