Getting Your Cat To Use A Scratching Post
So you've bought a cat scratching post. Now all you've got to do is get your cat to use it. Some cats take to using a post straightaway, while others, however, will need a little encouragement. Whenever you see your cat scratching its post don't forget to praise it and give a treat as a reward. Consistent positive reinforcement is an important element in getting your cat to stop scratching your furniture and use a scratching post instead.
First thing to consider is the location. You may have an ideal place to put the new cat scratching post but to start off you may need to place it in a different area to encourage its use. You could put it near the feeding bowls as cats are often most active at feeding times. Near doors (especially if you have a cat flap) is another good place as cats like to mark out their territory against any potential feline home invaders.
If your cat is the type that likes to wake up, yawn, stretch and then get their claws out, placing it near too where they sleep makes sense. Cats can be very lazy and if you can give them something to scratch without them having to walk too far, they will use it.
However you may have an item of furniture that is currently receiving too much attention from your cat. In this case trying placing it next to the affected area and then make the place they've been scratching less attractive e.g. place plastic sheeting or tin foil over the scratched area until your cat turns its attention to the scratching post. Hopefully once your cat starts to use the post regularly you can move it to a more convenient location.
Having more than one cat can help or hinder the using of a cat scratching post. You'll often find that if one cat uses it, the other will soon follow as the scratching post doubles as a communal marking post. However, cats being cats, some cats will refuse to use a post if another one has used it. The only solution then, is to get two cat scratching posts.
So what happens if you put the post in a tempting area and all your cat does is walk past it with barely a glance? Then you'll have to be a little more proactive. If your cat is into catnip then rubbing a new catnip filled toy firmly over the pole should attract their attention to the post. Playing with cat toys on a string around the scratching post should help. Try to manoeuvre the toy so that the cat is reaching up towards the top of the pole to swipe at the toy.
However, for a few cats even this may not be enough to persuade them. But don't despair. Cats are contrary creatures and the fact that you are so obviously keen for them to use it can put them off. So just put the cat scratching post in a place convenient for both you and your cat and ignore it. Chances are that one day you'll notice that someone's been scratching at it.