how do u get a cat to scratch on a scratching post?
Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 at
5:14 am
i have 2 cats, a 6 month old and a 2 1/2 yr old, and i have been trying to figure out how to get them to scratch on their scratching post that i finally broke down and bought rather than my furniture. i don’t want to declaw them, but would like them to start using the post. how are you supposed to get cats to use the scratching post instead of my furniture? shouold be a natural thing that they do? or can i do something to get them to start?
Filed under: Cat Furniture
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Encouraging the use of a scratching post.
* Some cats do not like the sisal that is wrapped around many commercial scratching posts. Try covering it with carpet (comb first to ensure that there are no tight loops that your cat claws can get caught in) or come other material that your cat may prefer.
* It should be in a prominent position in the room near to areas that are already preferred for scratching. Once your cat uses it reliably you can begin to more it into a more suitable position in the room, but hiding it out of the way may just mean your cat will revert back to previous scratching positions. Place a scratching post close to sleeping quarters as well.
* Consider the surface that your cat is currently scratching. Some cats would rather use a horizontal rather than vertical surface and vice versa. Cats often have more interest in a scratching area if it is more of an activity centre, with places to climb up and different levels and perhaps a cubbyhole and appropriate toys. These can be shop brought or made at home.
* If your
Put the scratching post close to the piec of furniture they were ruining.
Rub some catnip on the post. Walk them over and gently rub their front paws over the post like they were scratching it. If you catch them scratching the furniture, say NO in a loud voice and walk them to the post , rub their paws on it like they were scratching and praise them in a pleasant voice. Give a treat . I leave treats on the top of my post for them to find as well.
try sprinkling catnip on it.
Buy some catnip in a container or buy cartnip spray and dose their scratching post with it then show them the post and also show thme what they are supposed to do with their new toy. Buy some double sided sticky tape at a pet store and apply to the furniture that they have been scratching at and they will hate getting their paws stuck on a sticky object. Guaranteed to work or you can return product to your pet store for a refund.
sprinkle cat nip on it
What I’ve discovered about cats and scratching posts is that you can’t put them in an out-of-the-way location, which may fit in better with your furniture arrangements. Cats like them in rather obvious places to mark their territory.
The easiest way I have found to get them to start using it is to play with them on it using a feather wand toy or something similar with a long stick. Dangle it just above the post so they have to climb it or at least make some contact with it to play with the toy. Once they get their scent all over the post they are much more likely to come back to it to reinforce their scent. A little catnip helps as well. Try to establish a daily play time even if it is just for a few minutes and they will come to associate the post with fun and good times with you.
Make sure the post is tall enough. Less than 3 feet is not really useful except for a small kitten. They like to get a good stretch.
Good luck!
I have found that with any new scratching post that it is best to use some catnip to encourage the cats to use the post. I have a 7 foot tall scratching post with sisal on the legs and all my cats use it. The ones with the claws use it the most. I have also gotten a cardboard incline scratcher and I use catnip on that one as well and my cats take to that pretty well. It is almost like they are drunk when I use the catnip. Good luck.
You can try one of these two method:-
Method One
Hold treats near the post to get your cat to come near the post. Slowly, make your cat come closer and closer to the post to get the treat. Then increase the height at which you are holding the treat so your cat must put his paws up the post to reach the treat. Gradually increase the height at which you hold the treat so that your cat eventually has to climb to the top in order to get the treat. This training session is a slow process to be worked on each day, making small progress each time you work on it.
Method Two
Using the kind of cat toys that are at the end of a string, dangle, drag, and swing one of your cat’s toys. Do this on and around the post. Use the scratching post as the play area. Your cat will climb up and down and around his post to try to reach his toy. By doing this, his post will be a place of fun and good memories.