Teaching your cat to use the scratching post will undoubtedly be the best idea you have had in a long time. Because if you have not done so yet, you have surely found yourself more than once dealing with chairs, cushions, curtains, or armchairs with a scratch or two (and one scratch would honestly be lucky compared with the stories some ARISTOPARENTS have told us).
However, you should not really blame your ARISTOCAT for this. It is a natural instinct that they cannot avoid, not only because they need to sharpen their claws, but also because for them it is a way of marking their territory. When your cat scratches fabrics or wood, their mental and emotional health improves significantly (and as you can imagine, if they do it constantly where they should not, you will have a bigger problem in the long run).
Cactus Scratching Post, photo by Huisjeaandehaven
When cats scratch an object, they leave behind the scent of the glands located in their paws. And once they have chosen something to scratch, they gradually continue scratching the same place to reinforce their mark and scent.
In this regard, you should not fight against their instinct, but rather redirect it toward places where they can relieve this need without consequences for the well-being of your furniture: the scratching post.
How do I teach my cat to use the scratching post?
If you are a desperate ARISTOPARENT, you will certainly be glad to know that there are several little tricks we can use to teach our cat to use the scratching post. First of all, you must start from the understanding that they do not know what a scratching post is or what they are supposed to use it for. They are not accustomed to it, which is why your job is to awaken their interest in their new and exciting scratching-post toy.
Large scratching posts
There's an easy option and a difficult one. The easy one is to get some catnip and place it on the scratching post; cats are immediately attracted to its smell, and putting the catnip on the scratching post will probably encourage them to find out what it's for. The difficult one is to gently take your kitten's paws and softly scratch the post with them, so that the scent we mentioned earlier permeates the scratching post and they later return to it to try it on their own.
What to do if none of this works?
Does your cat ignore everything, including your attempts to show it how beneficial it would be for both of you to get used to using the scratching post? Don't worry, we have a few tricks up our sleeve:
Scratching Furniture | Cactus Scratching Post | Girl with a Pearl Earring Scratching Post
– Scratch the post yourself a few times a day, making sure it can be heard clearly when you scratch and that it's noticeable where you've done it. You know, to try to create that typical “I want to try it too” feeling that many of us get 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 they scratch. For them, it's like that zen moment when they stretch their muscles and release stress.
– Give him a treat when he does it right!
If none of this works, don't worry. The problem surely isn't with you or him. 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, although you've probably already realized this, are very demanding animals.
