How to get my cat to actually use the scratch post?

Question

My cat has never showed the slightest bit of interest in her scratch post. We've tried to show her how to use it, and bring toys by it, and sprayed it with catnip, but nothing seems to work, and the carpet is getting completely ruined! lol anyone have any ideas? thanks

Answer 1

i would  declaw her in the front...it is not morally wrong and unless you want to keep replacing your carpet you should do it.... she will use the post after you declaw her(if you do.)

Answer 2

Get wood or laminate flooring...problem solved. I hate carpet anyway...gets dirty, unhygenic, old-fashioned, looks c**p, gets stained...etc etc

Answer 3

Well, there is no remedy for your cats scratching mannerisms. In fact, cat experts discourage human from interfering with their scratching because it is already second nature to cats.

Scratching is inherent in cats as they were made to scratch. The rear paws of a cat were made for scratching. As your cat grows, their claws also grow. Cats have to remove the sheath on their claws by scratching, so they can expose their new claws.

Remember that maxim "if you can't l**k them, then join them"? This is especially true for cats. If you do not want further damage to your furniture, draperies or carpets, then encourage your cats to scratch - but not on your things. Instead, buy him his own scratching post.

Buying a scratching post for your cat will give them an outlet for their scratching urge. It will not only save your precious furniture but will also keep your cats happy.

Answer 4

I agree with answer 3, and I disagree with spraying water in the cats face. They are doing what is natural to them, and you might hit them in the inner ear which will result in infection. Instead of spraying, if you have a post, pick them up and take them to the post, or whatever you want them to scratch, and try rubbing their front paws on it in a scratching motion. Hopefully your kitty gets the idea.

My 2 year old got to start right off with a post at 6 months, so she uses it ALOT. We retrieved my hubby's 6 yr old from his dads house, when he started peeing on things (mainly his stepmothers stuff, go figure :P ) and brought him back to our place. It took awhile to teach him not to pee (his favorite spot on my big cushy wolf pillow, that had to be cleaned) And because his dad had an old couch he let the cats scratch up, this big fat cat liked to scratch on our couch! When we caught him doing it, we would wave our hands at him and shoo him off. So, he moved to the carpet. It took some persistent training, but he now uses the scratching post with our other feline.

Answer 5

i dont know

'thumb down' not cool......

Answer 6

Is it carpeted? I have a dual scratching post it has carpet and sisal rope wrapped around it and is very tall mine is 4ft tall.  I also keep the disposable cardboard ones handy as well.  Put aluminum foil on the carpet where your cat digs. or two sided tape.  I found the sprays do not work very well.  Make sure you have your trusty spray bottle (set to the stream not spray) handy to spray her when you see her going to the rug and be sure to say NO firmly.  Make sure to spray her in the face..