I have two cats - one LOVES the post and used it as soon as I brought it in the house. The other refuses. I also had a flat one that comes in a box from walmart, thinking she liked scratching horizontally better, but she wouldn't use that either. I'm not overly worried about the couch or carpet as they are both really old and need replacing, but I'd prefer she use the post, or something else equally appropriate. And she doesn't scratch them all that often to begin with. I've tried spraying the post with catnip spray and rubbing it with dried catnip. I even took her paws in my hands and lightly rubbed them on the post. She just doesn't seem to understand what she's supposed to do. I clip their nails about every two weeks and I absolutely refuse to declaw. Any suggestions would be helpful.
2007-03-27 18:16:12 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
The post is sisal, with the base and the top perch being carpet. It stands about 2 feet high.
2007-03-27 18:31:30 · update #1
Thank you for having the sense to not declaw.
Another thing to try can be to wait until she tries to scratch anywhere erlse, a form "no", pick her up and put her on one of the 'allowed' scratching places. We did that with our kitty initially (cause she had no idea what catnip was at first either) and it took a few weeks of reinforcement, and then she got the hang of it. Of course also praise them when they do it right, and just like kids they'
ll want to please you again and again.
Perhaps hold off with the clipping for another two weeks and see if that doesn't do the trick?
2007-03-27 18:46:52 · answer #1 · answered by Unicornrider 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Forget it, she isn't going to use it. No matter what you do she just will not use it. You are hearing from someone who has tried and tried and has had no luck at all with any of my cats. The best I can say for the one that lies down is my older cat likes to sit on it. That's the most use any of the scratching posts have ever gotten. Don't know why they won't use then, but if they don't use them from the beginning they aren't going to all of a sudden pick up the habit. They will just sit there like sculpture. Don't drive yourself and the cat crazy. Keep clipping the claws and you should be ok. Wish I had better news for you. But I have to be honest. I've had cats all my life.
2007-03-27 19:00:03 · answer #2 · answered by lochmessy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i am not sure how big your kitties are but one thing i read about when my cats weren't using the scratching posts i had was to make sure the post was tall enough and sturdy enough that the cat could stand up on its hind legs and stretch right up with its front legs, without feeling the post was going to fall over. so i went out and bought one of the bigger posts that is about 6 feet tall and my cats love it. they can really have a good scratch and go crazy and it won't tip over.
another thing i have read is that some cats like the sissal (sp?) type fiber to scratch, instead of carpet. (the sissal is almost stringy rope-like in texture). apparently it feels better to them for some reason.
also, have you tried having a post for each of them? the one who doesn't scratch might not like to share?? and you could put the post right by the couch where she scratches as well.
hopefully something helps!
(by the way, if all else fails, have you heard about the nail caps that are available for cats? my vet uses them on all her cats. they just slide over the claws and so the cat still has its claws, just can't do the same damage on your furniture.)
2007-03-27 18:26:47 · answer #3 · answered by kittycat 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like you're doing all the right things, especially the claw clipping. My cats like a taller scratching post, about 3 feet tall. That way they can stretch out. I'm thinking your cat doesn't like the material on the scratching post. If she's scratching your chair and couch, maybe she needs one covered with carpeting.
2007-03-27 22:05:03 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Does your cat have a fave toy attempt tieing it to the scratching positioned up. positioned toys round it that the cat comprehend is there and it would help the cat comprehend that the scratching positioned up is there. Or like quite a few any persons reported you are able to attempt the cat nip.
2016-10-17 21:49:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a company called Soft-Paws that offers a wonderful alternative to declawing cats!
The soft-paws are basically cat-nail covers that are non-harmful, comfortable, and non-toxic.
If your cat refuses to use any cat posts, this might be a good alternative if you can't find another solution.
2007-03-27 18:32:33 · answer #6 · answered by mroof! 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Show your cat how and even encourage it by putting treats on top of the post and also if its a friendly cat pick its front legs and do it for it. Then the cat knows how to do it. Tap the post as well.
2007-03-28 13:20:27 · answer #7 · answered by Dawncat 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a friend who said that he just watched his cat and every time she scratched the couch he picked her up and moved her to the scratching post. It worked for him
2007-03-27 18:25:11 · answer #8 · answered by premiere 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
lol the next time u see her scratching something (like ur expensive new matress(like my cat) take him over to the post. or set the post near the thing he likes to scratch. positive reinforcement works too. a praise, treat or rub when he uses it will do the trick.
2007-03-27 18:22:30 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋