How can I get my kittens to use their scratching posts?

Question

I have two kittens that are 10 weeks old. They have two scratching posts that they play on loads but never actually scratch! They use the sofa or our dining chairs instead - how can I encourage them to scratch where they are supposed to? Apart from that they are really really good and the sweetest kittens in the world.

Answer 1

Initially, put the post where your cat goes to scratch. This may be by a sofa, a chair or wherever Kitty has chosen as her territory, and you may need more than one post to cover her favorite spots. Security is a major factor in making the post appealing to your cat. If it topples or shakes, she won't use it. It should either be secured to the floor or have a base wide enough and heavy enough to keep it stable.

Encourage Kitty to use her post with clever enticements. Feed her and play with her by the post. Rub dried catnip leaves or powder into it. Make all the associations with the post pleasurable. Reward her with a favorite treat when she uses it. Have her chase a string or a toy around the post or attach toys to it, which will result in her digging her claws into it. Eventually she will learn to love it and regard it as her own. It's also a good idea to put a post where Kitty sleeps. Cats like to scratch when they awaken, especially in the morning and the middle of the night. If space permits, a scratching post in every room of the house is a cat's delight. The most important place is the area of the house in which you and Kitty spend the most time.

If she starts to scratch an inappropriate object, immediately place her in front of her scratching post and begin petting her. Some cats will begin kneading when petted, thus digging their claws into the desired surface and establishing this as a fine place to scratch.

Answer 2

Catnip doesn't usually have an effect on kittens. If they are going to react to it it will be when they are closer to a year in age.

Be sure to play actively with your kittens around their posts. Use a cat dancer or a feather toy. If and when they do scratch there be sure to praise them LAVISHLY when they do. I mean "over the top". That will definitely get their attention and they will realise that using the post for scratching pleases you greatly.

Get a $10 package of Sticky Paws at a pet store and put the strips on the inappropriate places they are scratching. It will deter them from that. You don't have to leave the strips in place forever. Once they use the posts you can take the strips off.

If you don't know how to trim the nails have someone at the vet office show you how to do it when they go in for their next shots, or if it is convenient just drop by for a short demo.

Answer 3

When you catch them scratching where they aren't supposed to, say "NO!", then gently but firmly take them to the post. Once there, you can gently move their paws on the post as if they were scratching it, then praise them... "Good kitty! Use the post!"

Don't spank or swat them for scratching on the sofa or chairs. Instead, you can try putting some foil or sticky tape on the furniture-- cats hate foil, and they hate sticky stuff. You can also try other scratching toys, such as a flat scratching board-- some cats like vertical surfaces for scratching and others like horizontal surfaces. Experiment with different textures, too.

Finally, a dangle toy or some catnip (when they get older... they're too young to respond to it now) will make the posts even more appealing.

Answer 4

I had that problem when I first got my kitten. I heard about rubbing catnip on it but doesn't work well with the little ones until they are older. All I have been doing since I had her was constantly playing with her by her post, putting treats at the top so she can get them & toys. Everytime she woke up or after she ate I made sure she was placed by the post. Now she just goes over to it herself & scratches. It's funny cuz if I am home she will look at me like ok are you going to give me a treat now haha.
Good Luck!

Answer 5

I have heard that rubbing cat nip on the scratching post will encourage them to scratch it, however most cats don't react to cat nip until they are 6 months old so I don't know that that will work for you. We had the same problem when we first got our cats. We would encourage them to scratch it by scratching it ourselves. In addition we would set toys on the top of the post so that they would have to climb up it to get it. Treats also work really well. Whenever your kittens scratch the post or even use it to play with give them lots of praise and maybe even a treat. Positive reinforcement works well with cats. When they scratch your furniture or some other undesirable object tell them no and spray them once with a water bottle. Hope this helps :)

Answer 6

Catnip on the scratching post. Tyr covering the sofa when you're not around with an old sheet. When you catch them using the wrong area to scratch you get the cat, take it back to the scene of the crime, put its paws on the sofa and say no no no no no no.
Then take it to the posts and put its paws up and say good kitty, and pet it. They will eventually learn what to do. The problem is that they dont have a mom to teach them what to do. You need to play mom.

Answer 7

Get catnip and rub it on the posts. This will encourage them to use it. Some cats are not effected by cat nip and some kittens not until they are a bit older. But, mine at 12 weeks could already detect it.

Also, when you catch them at the furniture. Say "no". Then move them to the post. I rubbed my kittens paws on it, praised him and then he started using it. I am not saying yours is going to be as easy. You could also encourage them by treating them when they play on or around it. Eventually they will get the trick...

You could also consider buying one of those cardboard ones that the cats use to scratch vertically rather than horizontally. Most come catnip loaded as well. This may help divert them from the furniture as well.

You should also know that you need to place scratching posts wherever your kittens are scratching. Its generally territorial... marking with their scent from their paws. This will also help direct them and divert them from the furniture. This may mean you need to use several. Good luck.

Answer 8

It helps if the post is treated with catnip! What I have done in the past is take my kittens over the the post and I put a little pressure on their paws so the claws come out and then I lightly rub their paws on the post (very lightly to avoid any injury)! This kind of sets a demonstration for them (not recommended but always works for me)! I'll post a link that has more information!

http://www.thecatsite.com/Behavior/51/Problem-Scratching-And-How-To-Stop-It.html

This site is very informative and has a great community forum!

Answer 9

You need to find a fabric similar to your furniture if that's what they like to scratch, and cover the scratch post in it. Everytime you see your kitties go to scratch your furniture, pick them up with a sharp NO and put their paws on the scratch post. Put the scratch post next to the sofa or dining chairs.They should soon learn that if they want to have a nice scratch in peace to just go straight to the scratch post!

Chalice

Answer 10

If you find them scratching something they are not supposed to scratch, sweetly move them to the scratching post (be very nice, gentle about it.) You may even want to put their paws on the post -- but be cautious, make it a good experience for them. Consider giving them treats if they actually do scratch. Or, get the "feather" toy out and play with them a little after they are done.

Another trick is to sprinkle the post with catnip or put toys on it.