Scratching isn’t bad behavior — it’s a biological need. Cats scratch to shed claw sheaths, stretch their whole body, and mark territory with scent glands in their paws. The goal is never to stop scratching; it’s to channel it onto a post you both like. Get the post and its placement right, add a little reward, and most cats switch over in a couple of weeks. The ASPCA calls a good scratching post one of the best investments a cat owner can make.
This guide covers how to choose a post cats actually use, where to put it, how to teach your cat to love it, and how to protect the sofa while the new habit sets.
Why cats scratch
Understanding the “why” tells you what the post has to deliver. Cats scratch to maintain their claws by pulling off worn outer sheaths, to stretch the back, shoulders and paws after rest, and to mark territory both visually and with scent. Because it’s a stretch-and-mark behavior, cats most often scratch right after waking and along the routes they patrol — which is exactly where your post needs to be.
Pick a post cats use
The single biggest reason a post gets ignored is that it’s too short or too flimsy. A cat wants to scratch at full stretch, so a vertical post should be at least 75cm (30 inches) tall and heavy or wide-based enough that it doesn’t wobble — a post that tips scares the cat off for good. Cover matters too: most cats prefer coarse sisal rope or sisal fabric over carpet, which can confuse a cat into thinking your carpet is fair game. Offer both vertical and horizontal options, since some cats are horizontal scratchers.
Placement is everything
You can buy the perfect post and still fail if you hide it. Cats scratch where they already are, so put the post right next to the furniture they’re targeting and beside favourite napping spots — the first stretch after a nap is prime scratching time. Doorways and the edges of rooms are territorial hot-spots worth a post too. Once the habit is rock-solid you can inch the post a few centimetres a week toward a tidier location, but never start it out of the way.
Teach the post
Don’t grab your cat’s paws and rake them on the post — that often backfires and creates fear. Instead make the post the fun, rewarding spot. Lure with a wand toy dragged up and over the post so the cat’s claws naturally catch it. The instant the claws make contact, mark it with a click or cheerful “yes” and drop a treat at the base. Rub catnip or silvervine into the post for cats that respond. Within a few sessions the cat learns that scratching this object pays.
Protect the furniture
While the post habit forms, make the old targets temporarily unappealing — not punishing, just boring. Cover a clawed sofa corner with double-sided sticky tape or a smooth throw, or use a citrus deterrent cats dislike. Crucially, place a post immediately beside each protected spot so there’s always a legal option an inch away. As the post wins, quietly remove the protection. For deeper tactics see our stop scratching furniture guide.
The training plan
Done consistently, most cats are reliably using their post within two to three weeks, and many sooner. If your cat still avoids every post you offer, double-check height, stability and texture before anything else — nine times out of ten it’s the post, not the cat. Keep claws trimmed with our nail-trim guide to make scratching gentler all round, and never resort to declawing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why won't my cat use the scratching post?
Usually the post is wrong or in the wrong place. Cats want a post tall enough to stretch fully (about 75cm or more), rock-solid so it doesn't wobble, and covered in a coarse material like sisal. Then it has to sit where the cat already wants to scratch — near a sleeping spot or a doorway — not hidden in a spare room.
Should I use catnip on the scratching post?
Yes, catnip or a silvervine spray is a great lure for cats that respond to it. Rub it into the post or sprinkle it at the base to draw the cat over, then reward any contact. Pairing the post with play and treats builds the habit even in cats that ignore catnip.
How long does it take to train a cat to use a post?
Most cats start using a well-chosen, well-placed post within one to three weeks of daily encouragement. Kittens often take to it in days. The key is consistency: reward every use, keep furniture temporarily protected, and never punish the old spot.
Is it ever okay to declaw instead?
No. The AVMA and ASPCA both discourage declawing because it is an amputation of the last bone of each toe and can cause lasting pain, litter-box problems and biting. Scratching is a normal, healthy need; the humane answer is a good post and training.
Sources
- ASPCA — Cat Care & Common Behavior Issues
- American Association of Feline Practitioners — Positive Reinforcement & Handling Guidelines
- American Veterinary Medical Association — Feline Health & Welfare