How do i get my cat to use a scratching post?
Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010 at
8:40 pm
I bought a scratching post for my cat. Rubbed Catnip on it, but she still won’t use it. Any suggestions?
I bought a scratching post for my cat. Rubbed Catnip on it, but she still won’t use it. Any suggestions?
also to add she rubs on it but just will not scratch on it..
Filed under: Cat Scratching Post
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My cats are older and really well behaved. They haven’t had a good scratching post for a while (the old one is kind of short and falling apart) so I bought them a new one–and they ignored it completely. I rubbed catnip on it (got a lot of "just give us the herbs, don’t waste it like that" whining) and they rubbed against the post but not scratching. So I went over there myself and started clawing at it. Both cats’ ears went up at the sound and they came running over to see what I was doing. And watched for a little while (my fingernails were starting to hurt–human nails weren’t meant to scratch like that). Later that night the female went over and was clawing the new scratching post–and I praised her to let her know that is exactly what she ought to use…and she’s been using it every sense. Most cats learn by watching another cat do things. The male cat is still not using it and I’m not sure he’ll ever use it (he’s not as bright as she is).
If you can get your kitty to come to the post, you can try taking a paw gently, extending her nails a bit and rubbing the nails against the post so she gets the idea (and feel) of what’s supposed to happen. That will often make the connection for them. And when she uses the post, always say nice things to her to encourage her to continue to use it.
The best way is to put their scent on it to show them its theirs. The way i did it with my cat i grab him and start rub him against to leave his scent and it worked. I’ve done it with pretty much everything of his because he gets very funny with new things lol
sign that says Cats post, scratch here and best of all is smear it with catnip or hang a bag at the top filled with catnip
well your cat gotta know what is it first she will be afraid at the beginning all you have to do is hold your cat and put her against it and rub her to it so that she would smell her self there and know that its a cat friendly toy and its not ganna bite her lol. cats are funny
catnip usually does the trick but keep the post where the cat likes to scratch the most
You can also try putting his favorite "scratch item" beside the scratching post and put aluminum on his favorite "scratch item". This is because, they find aluminum a very unpleasant item to scratch on, this way, he might try scratching the post you bought for him instead. Rubbing his scent on the post is also a great idea.
It’s failed to be mentioned as of yet, so I must add:
DO NOT take a hold of your cat’s paw and rub it against the post. You know, in a miming, ‘this is how you do it!’ kind of way. Cats HATE being forced to do anything, it turns them right off, and she will never want to go back to it again.
What did the job for my girl was running a feather toy of hers up and down the length. She hopped on and sunk her claws right in, and there was that point of:
"…Oh!! This feels really good on my claws! I wouldn’t mind doing this several times a day~"
Be persistent & use cat psychology !! scratching is a normal feline behaviour, it’s exercise & marking, the cat stretches, scratches & marks the spot. Cats are territorial creatures, so if you establish which furniture is yours and which is his .It’s best to start with a scratching poot when he is a kitten, but older cats can also be trained , but it takes a bit longer, especially if they have not been used to a post.
Be persistant & firm.I suggest having several posts around the house, where your cat normally likes to be, so there is always one within reach, entice & reward your cat for using the post. put a favourite toy near.
Tip… when your cat starts to scratch on eg on the sofa, say " claws" in a firm voice, pick him up & place him in front of the post, when he scratches there, praise & reward. hope this works it worked for me with my cat a few years ago. Good Luck
Catnip spray always works whenever i get a new scratching post for my cats.
What you should do if put 1 or 2 sprinkles of catnip (you can get it from supermarkets) and the cat(s) will be attracted to the smell… i hope i helped you! x