What do you do when the cat refuses to use scratching posts? No matter the material—cardboard, carpet, rope—she will only scratch the furniture and folded towels. (We even tried wrapping a scratching post in towel material and she still won’t scratch it.)
Obviously we don’t want her destroying the furniture, so we don’t* let her scratch long enough to shorten her nails… wat do?
Cats really only like to scratch on tall and sturdy things like trees or heavy couches
If their post isn’t tall enough, they can’t get a good stretch out of it
If the post tips over easily, they just won’t want to use it (you can also use a heavy weight to keep the base steady, but I find that solution rather cumbersome )
Good choice, I bought something like this and within about 2 minutes of having it set up I had 2 cats scratching it. I was worried they wouldn’t touch it.
We never really had this issue, but I would try putting the folded towels in a cupboard with a door. As for furniture you could try and fit some hard plastic over the favourite scratching area so she won’t get a grip with her claws.
We had our cat when we were doing a remodel (still going on at my parents, I still remember when the front porch was ripped out and the big job was starting back in 2000, but even before then the house was being remoddeled.
She loved to scrach against wodden posts so much so that over the years she had scratched away about a third of the equivalent of a twobyfour post.
We let her do that since the post would hold little weight, and it is relatively easy to swap if needed.
Though it still doesn’t solve the issue of her refusing to scratch a designated post. She’ll just find something else. I’ve thought about buying a cheap yoga mat, cutting off a bit and taping it to the floor, cause she seems to enjoy scratching those too when we’re working out and step away for a break.
Well you double down and assert that your cat and training is superior, and therefore applies to all cats and anyone should be able to do what you do with your cats! Just kidding! accept the reality that everyone’s situation and cats are different!
What do you do when the cat refuses to use scratching posts? No matter the material—cardboard, carpet, rope—she will only scratch the furniture and folded towels. (We even tried wrapping a scratching post in towel material and she still won’t scratch it.)
Obviously we don’t want her destroying the furniture, so we don’t* let her scratch long enough to shorten her nails… wat do?
Try one of these: https://a.co/d/08I5FYeD
Cats really only like to scratch on tall and sturdy things like trees or heavy couches
If their post isn’t tall enough, they can’t get a good stretch out of it
If the post tips over easily, they just won’t want to use it (you can also use a heavy weight to keep the base steady, but I find that solution rather cumbersome )
Good choice, I bought something like this and within about 2 minutes of having it set up I had 2 cats scratching it. I was worried they wouldn’t touch it.
We never really had this issue, but I would try putting the folded towels in a cupboard with a door. As for furniture you could try and fit some hard plastic over the favourite scratching area so she won’t get a grip with her claws.
We had our cat when we were doing a remodel (still going on at my parents, I still remember when the front porch was ripped out and the big job was starting back in 2000, but even before then the house was being remoddeled.
She loved to scrach against wodden posts so much so that over the years she had scratched away about a third of the equivalent of a twobyfour post.
We let her do that since the post would hold little weight, and it is relatively easy to swap if needed.
I’ll try the plastic idea; thanks.
Though it still doesn’t solve the issue of her refusing to scratch a designated post. She’ll just find something else. I’ve thought about buying a cheap yoga mat, cutting off a bit and taping it to the floor, cause she seems to enjoy scratching those too when we’re working out and step away for a break.
Well you double down and assert that your cat and training is superior, and therefore applies to all cats and anyone should be able to do what you do with your cats! Just kidding! accept the reality that everyone’s situation and cats are different!
Clicker training. It’s not a fast solution, but it’s the best solution.