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How to Get a Cat to Use a Scratching Post

Tap a step to see it in order.

  1. Understand why cats scratch

    Scratching serves several purposes at once: shedding the outer layer of old claw material, a full-body stretch, scent-marking through glands in the paws, and general stress relief. It is a natural instinct rather than a bad habit, so the realistic goal is redirecting it to an appropriate object, not eliminating it.

  2. Learn the different types of scratchers

    Cardboard scratchers, sisal-rope-wrapped posts, and carpet-covered scratchers all feel different under the claws and hold up differently over time, and cats also vary in whether they prefer a vertical post or a flat, horizontal pad. Trying a few different types at first is the fastest way to find out what your cat actually likes.

  3. Choose the right placement

    Placing a scratcher near where your cat sleeps, a spot they spend a lot of time in, or right next to furniture they already scratch tends to increase how often they use it. A scratcher tucked away in an out-of-the-way corner gets used far less than one placed along your cat's everyday path through the home.

  4. Use catnip or a toy to draw them in

    Sprinkling a little catnip on the scratcher's surface, or playing with a toy near it, can pique your cat's interest and naturally lead into scratching behavior. Rewarding your cat with a treat or praise when they use it strengthens the habit further.

  5. Redirect furniture scratching calmly

    If your cat starts scratching a sofa or other furniture, calmly pick them up and move them to the scratcher instead of yelling or punishing them, then reward scratching there when it happens. Adding double-sided tape or a protective cover to the furniture can also make it a less appealing texture to scratch in the meantime.

  6. Check claw condition and scratcher wear

    A heavily worn-down scratcher with its base showing through loses its effectiveness, so replace it periodically. If your cat's claws seem unusually long or split, using a scratcher alone may not be enough, and regular nail care is worth adding on top.

Scratching cannot be trained away, only redirected

Because scratching meets several real physical and emotional needs at once, trying to eliminate it entirely is not a realistic goal. A much more effective approach is accepting that your cat will scratch something, and making sure that something is a scratcher rather than your furniture.

Pair this with a comfortable litter box setup

Getting the placement right matters for both a scratcher and a litter box, since both work best when positioned somewhere your cat naturally feels comfortable. It is worth reading up on litter box setup at the same time you are working on scratcher placement.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I use soft nail caps, do I still need a scratching post?

Yes. Nail caps cover the tip of the claw to reduce damage to furniture, but the scratching behavior itself continues regardless, and a cap does not satisfy the claw-maintenance or stretching need behind it, so a scratcher is still necessary.

My cat completely ignores the scratcher.

This usually means the material or shape simply is not to their taste. Try switching to a different type, sisal rope, cardboard, vertical, or horizontal, add a little catnip to spark interest, and move it into a spot your cat actually spends time in.