Teaching your cat to use the scratching post will undoubtedly be the best idea you've had in a long time. Because if you haven't yet, you've probably encountered chairs, cushions, curtains, or armchairs with a scratch or two more than once (and a scratch would honestly be lucky compared to the stories some ARISTOPARENTS have told us).
However, you shouldn't blame your ARISTOCAT for this. It's a natural instinct they can't avoid, not only because they need to sharpen their claws, but also because it's a way for them to mark their territory. When your cat scratches fabric or wood, their mental and emotional health significantly improves (and as you can imagine, if they constantly do it where they shouldn't, you'll have a bigger problem in the long run).
Cactus Scratcher, photo by Huisjeaandehaven
By scratching an object, cats leave the scent of the glands in their paws. And once they've chosen something to scratch, they gradually continue scratching the same spot to reinforce their mark and scent.
In this sense, you shouldn't fight against their instinct, but rather redirect it to places where they can satisfy their need without consequences for your furniture's well-being: the scratching post.
How do I teach my cat to use the scratching post?
If you're a desperate ARISTOPARENT, you'll be glad to know there are several tricks we can use to teach our cat to use the scratching post. First, you must start from the premise that they don't know what a scratching post is or what it's for. They aren't used to it, and that's why your job is to awaken their interest in their new and interesting scratching toy.
Large Scratching Posts
There's the easy option and the difficult option. The easy one is to get some catnip and place it on the scratching post. Cats are immediately attracted to its scent, and putting the catnip on the scratching post will probably entice them to figure out what it's for. The difficult one is to delicately take your kitten's paws and gently scratch the scratching post with them, so that the scent we mentioned earlier permeates the scratching post, and they later return to try it themselves.
What if none of this works?
Is your cat ignoring everything and your attempts to show them how beneficial it would be for both of you to get used to using the scratching post? Don't worry, we have a few aces up our sleeve:
Scratching Furniture | Cactus Scratcher | The Girl with the Pearl Earring Scratcher
– Scratch the scratching post yourself a few times a day, making sure it's clearly audible when you scratch and visible where you've done it. This is to try and create that typical "I want to try it too" feeling that invades many of us when we see someone enjoying a new toy.
– Place the scratching post in a quiet spot. Believe it or not, cats need peace and quiet while scratching. For them, it's like that zen moment when muscles are stretched and stress is released.
– Give them a reward when they do it right!
If none of this works, don't worry. The problem is certainly not with you, nor with them. It's with the scratching post! Go to your trusted veterinarian and ask them to recommend a scratching post that better suits your pet's preferences. Cats, though you've probably already noticed, are very demanding animals.
