Training your cat to use a scratching post is a fundamental step in addressing the common challenge of “How to stop a cat from scratching furniture?” The journey begins with selecting the ideal cat scratching post, as a well-chosen one will naturally appeal to your feline friend. Once you have the perfect scratcher, implementing effective training techniques becomes much simpler. This guide will provide you with practical tips to successfully Train Cat Scratcher habits and redirect your cat’s natural instincts away from your precious furniture and carpets.
Strategic Placement: Where to Put Your Cat Scratching Posts for Success
A crucial element in ensuring your cat consistently uses her new scratching posts is strategically positioning them throughout your home. Understanding typical cat scratching behaviors is key to optimal placement. While humans often prefer to tuck cat scratchers away in corners, these aren’t always the most effective spots from a cat’s perspective. Considering their ingrained instincts makes it clear why.
Why Cats Scratch and How It Guides Placement
Cats scratch for several deeply ingrained reasons. One primary reason is to communicate to other cats about their territory. The visual scratch marks left on objects, combined with scents deposited from glands in their paws, serve as clear messages to other felines. Given this, it’s logical that a cat wouldn’t choose an inconspicuous corner to leave such vital communications. Instead, they prefer a prominent “billboard” – a tall, sturdy scratching post placed in a high-traffic, unhidden area of your home. Focus on these visible spaces to satisfy this evolutionary urge. Don’t worry; once your cat reliably uses the post, it can usually be gradually moved (over several weeks) to a spot that better integrates with your home décor.
Another significant reason cats scratch is to stretch the muscles in their bodies, particularly in their shoulders, toes, and feet. They often indulge in this activity right after waking up, making the areas around their favorite sleeping spots excellent locations for scratching posts.
Specific Placement Tips
If your cat is already scratching a particular area of your carpet, that spot might be an ideal location to place a new scratching post or pad. Your cat has already indicated a preference for that area, and this placement can help her understand that the new scratcher is the intended alternative to the carpet. If your cat is targeting the arms of your couch or other furniture, you can often deter this behavior by covering the area with a heavy blanket, tucked in securely to prevent her from getting underneath. Then, place her new cat scratching post directly in front of the previously targeted object. Once she consistently uses the post and leaves the furniture alone for a week or two, you can slowly begin moving the scratching post to your preferred location, about an inch or so per day.
A final, important note on placement: providing cats with multiple scratching posts in various areas of your home significantly increases the likelihood that your furniture and carpeting will remain untouched. If your cat is currently using an inappropriate object or spot to scratch, observe it carefully to gain valuable insights. Are the scratch marks high or low? Are they on a vertical, horizontal, or angled surface? Is the spot in a corner or under a bed? This data can help you choose the best type and placement for new scratching posts and pads. Cats enjoy scratching on vertical, horizontal, and angled surfaces, and sometimes they seek out special areas like under a bed or in a closet for their scratching sessions.
A cat happily scratching a tall, sturdy scratching post instead of furniture
Engaging Your Feline Friend: Tips to Encourage Scratcher Use
It’s perfectly normal if your cat doesn’t immediately take to her new scratching post or shows only mild interest. Sometimes, they need a bit more encouragement to discover the fantastic scratching surface you’ve provided. Here are some effective strategies for introducing your cat to her new scratcher and successfully training her to use it.
Irresistible Inducements
Catnip: While some young kittens and certain adult cats may not react to catnip, many cats absolutely adore it. If your cat falls into the latter category, sprinkle some loose-leaf catnip on the base and top of the scratching post. As your cat licks it up, she’ll often begin kneading her paws, which helps her discover the excellent scratching surface. This positive experience will encourage her to remember and utilize the post later.
Play: You can make the new scratching post incredibly appealing through interactive play. Using a wand-type cat toy is an excellent way to do this. Encourage your cat to reach up and place her paws on the scratching post as she stretches, reaches, and dives for the toy. You can also try placing her favorite toy on top of the post to entice her to climb up and retrieve it. Before you know it, she’ll discover the joy of scratching on the post.
A person playing with a cat using a wand toy around a cat scratching post, encouraging interaction
Starting Horizontally: For cats who are hesitant to use a vertical scratching post, it can be helpful to initially place the post on its side. Apply the same methods: sprinkle catnip and engage in play around and on the post, especially with wand toys. Once your cat reliably uses the post in this horizontal position for a few days, you can stand it upright, offering a new dimension of enjoyment. Remember, if you have multiple cats, you will need multiple scratching posts to accommodate their territorial needs and preferences. Encourage them to play together near the scratching posts by tossing small toys and balls around the area.
Treats: Many cats are highly motivated by treats. Keep a few handy while you’re introducing the scratching post. Initially, reward your cat with a treat if she simply sniffs or investigates the post. As she becomes more comfortable, give a treat when she places her paws on it, gradually progressing to rewarding her when she actively scratches. You can also try placing treats on top of the post, which will encourage her to climb up to retrieve them. Treats create a positive association, making the scratching post a very rewarding experience for your cat.
Combining with Deterrents (Feliway)
In conjunction with your efforts to make the scratching posts more appealing, you can use products like Feliway, a synthetic spray that mimics feline facial pheromones that induce feelings of well-being and security in cats. Spray Feliway a few times a day on any household objects your cat is inappropriately scratching. By simultaneously encouraging desirable behavior (using the post) and discouraging undesirable behavior (scratching furniture) through environmental enrichment, your cat will better understand your expectations.
What NOT to Do
One common mistake that usually proves ineffective when introducing a new scratching post is attempting to grab your cat’s paws and place them on the post. Cats are known for their independent nature and prefer to make their own choices. Manhandling their paws typically creates a negative experience for most cats and is likely to result in avoidance of the scratching post. An exception might be a very young kitten, who can sometimes be gently shown how to use a scratching post in this manner, particularly if there isn’t an older cat in the home to model the behavior. Play, as described above, also tends to work exceptionally well with kittens.
A playful cat swatting at a small toy mouse positioned on top of a cat scratching post
The Pitfalls of Punishment: Why Negative Training Backfires
A brief but vital note on negative training methods: Many approaches to cat training attempt to associate negative consequences with unwanted feline behavior, aiming to make cats avoid it in the future. These methods include squirting your cat with water, creating loud noises with coins in a can, using mousetraps to startle or injure, yelling, hitting, and other similar strategies. Critically, these negative reinforcement techniques usually do not work with cats and, worse, they often backfire or cause injury. Many cats become highly stressed by such occurrences, and when stressed, they react with behaviors that are often unacceptable to humans. This might include urinating or defecating outside the litterbox, on carpets, or on personal items. They may also increase their scratching of other objects around the home. In the worst-case scenarios, cats may become withdrawn, hide excessively, or even refuse to eat. The most effective approach is to focus on positively reinforcing the behavior you want to see from your cat – using her scratching post – rather than negatively punishing the behavior you don’t want.
Final Pointers for Scratcher Success
If you have diligently followed all the steps for training your cat to use her new scratching post and she still seems uninterested, don’t give up! Before abandoning the effort, try moving the post to another location. A spot in front of a window is often a good idea; if there are birds or other wildlife outside for your cat to observe, the excitement can frequently lead to an impromptu scratching session.
A cat enthusiastically scratching a vertical sisal scratching post, demonstrating proper use
With a combination of thoughtful placement, dedicated time, and consistent positive praise, your cat will soon be happily ignoring your furniture and carpeting in favor of her new, enticing scratching posts. This investment in training will lead to a happier cat and a more harmonious home for everyone.
