How To Get An Older Cat To Use A Scratching Post

Fortunately, you can train any cat with enough patience and dedication. The key to success is finding an appealing scratching post for your pet and utilizing the correct training methods.

The trickiest part is often encouraging a cat to try the scratching post. Catnip, pheromone sprays, and toys can help you achieve your goal.

You should also be aware of mistakes in training a cat because incorrect methods can backfire and cause more problems.

Find an Appealing Post

To set your cat up for success, pick an appealing scratching post. Unfortunately, now many owners know how to choose a cat scratching post that would be attractive to their pet. Remember – your cat should genuinely like the post.

First, get acquainted with different scratching post types and pay attention to your cat’s current scratching habits. If your cat scratches the carpet or couch armrest, it likely prefers horizontal surfaces, and you need a horizontal scratcher.

On the other hand, if your cat prefers clawing something vertical, get a traditional scratching post. Older cats with joint problems or extra weight that have difficulty standing on the back feet will appreciate angled scratchers.

The correct scratching post height is crucial because cats often use posts to stretch their backs. The post should be tall enough for your cat to stretch while standing on the back legs.

The average scratching post height for an adult cat is 30-35 inches, but large breeds might need taller posts. A horizontal scratcher doesn’t need to be as long, but it shouldn’t be too small.

Ensure that the scratching post or horizontal scratcher is stable. Cats like clawing something sturdy like furniture or tree trunks, so a wobbly post won’t appeal to your pet.

If you have a large cat, consider floor-to-ceiling scratching posts to reduce the risk of the post tipping over when your cat jumps on it.

The most popular scratching post materials are carpet, sisal fabric, and rope. The latter is the most durable, whereas the carpet is the softest, but you will need to replace it more frequently.

Pay attention to surfaces your cat prefers clawing to determine the best scratching post material. Some cats like corrugated cardboard scratchers, but they have a very short lifespan.

Consider scratching posts with cat beds, condos, or toys to attract your pet. Even if your cat doesn’t claw on the post at first but only sleeps on it, it makes you one step closer to your goal.

Find the Right Location

Often, cats refuse to use a scratching post because of incorrect placement. Place the scratching post in a prominent area in your home. Don’t put it in your basement or some dark corner.

Preferably, the post should be close to areas you often spend time at – for example, in the living room. Even better if the post is near your cat’s current favorite scratching spot.

One of the reasons a scratching post should be in a prominent area is that cats use them to mark territory.

They want the scratcher to be where humans and other cats can see and smell them (cat paws have scent glands that release pheromones when cats claw something).

Another reason is that cats often use scratching posts as watch spots. They like elevation because they can get a great view of their surroundings. You can place the post in the center of the room or near the window.

Try Catnip

Some cats get intrigued by the new interior addition as soon as owners bring a scratching post into the house. But what should you do if your cat isn’t interested in its scratching post?

To help your cat build a habit of clawing the scratching post, you should first make it approach the post. One way to do this is to use catnip, assuming that your cat is responsive to the herb.

About 25% of cats do not react to catnip because they lack the gene responsible for recognizing nepetalactone, and others might have developed tolerance.

If your cat doesn’t find catnip amusing, try alternatives such as Tatarian honeysuckle and valerian root.

Rub loose catnip or its alternative on the post and bring your cat near it. Alternatively, you can use catnip spray or put a catnip toy near the post.

Many cats go crazy over catnip, so this way, you’re building positive associations with the post. Plus, catnip is a stimulant, making cats scratch the post and play with it.

However, don’t overuse this method because your cat might become tolerant to the herb’s effects.

Try Pheromone Products

Catnip has such an effect on cats because it contains the chemical nepetalactone mimicking feline mating pheromones. If you don’t want to give your cat catnip, try pheromone sprays, diffusers, or tinctures.

One of such products is Feliway, a spray that mimics pheromones produced by cat facial glands and makes them feel content. However, the purpose of Feliway is the opposite of that of catnip.

While catnip can encourage a cat to use a scratching post, pheromone sprays have a calming effect and will reduce scratching. So, instead of applying the spray on the scratching post, use it on your cat’s current favorite clawing spot.

Alternatively, you can use Feliscratch or similar products that mimic feline scent marks. If you apply it on the scratching post, your cat will think that another cat has already scratched it and will do the same to mark its territory.

Encourage Your Cat to Play Near It

You don’t necessarily have to use catnip or pheromone products to encourage your cat to use the scratching post. If your cat is still active, encourage it to use the post with playtime.

Take a chew or wand toy and play with your cat around the scratching post. Then, move the toy in a way that your cat has to jump on the post or reach up with its paws.

Your cat might not become interested in the scratching post from the first try, so repeat the playing sessions several days in a row.

Every time you play near the post, you build positive associations with it in your cat’s head. Eventually, your cat will become interested in the post for purposes other than playing.

Reward Your Cat

Regardless of your chosen method of attracting your cat to the post, reward your pet every time you see it scratching the post. A reward can be a catnip toy, treat, or praise.

From personal experience, treats are the most effective because you can only use catnip toys occasionally.

As for praise, you likely pet and talk to your cat frequently for no reason, so your pet might not build connections between using the post and your reaction.

Reward your cat as soon as it places its paws on the scratching post or jumps on it. Cats have a short lifespan, so timing is crucial.

If you give the treat or toy five minutes later, your cat won’t draw the links between its actions and the reward. Be consistent – always use the same reward and at the same moment.

Keep Other Scratching Areas Off-Limits

Your ultimate goal is to teach your cat to use only the scratching post and forget about clawing furniture, carpets, and curtains. While encouraging your pet to claw the post, you should also discourage it from clawing in other areas.

Scolding doesn’t help here. Instead, deter your cat from other scratching areas with deterrent sprays, sticky tape, or aluminum foil.

Cats hate the feeling of sticky tape and aluminum foil on their paws. Cover your couch armrest or carpet with tape or foil for the training period.

Alternatively, make a DIY cat deterrent spray from lemon juice and water. Some cats hate the smell of green tea, so you can spray it on your cat’s current clawing spot.

Mistakes in Getting a Cat Used to a Scratching Post

Incorrect training methods usually backfire, so you want to know the mistakes in teaching a cat to use a scratching post before you begin.

Don’t grab your cat’s paws and place them on the post to show the post’s purpose. Cats prefer things to be their idea, so this method won’t work.

Plus, your cat might draw negative associations with the post if you force it to use it. Don’t scold or physically punish your cat for scratching other areas because your cat won’t understand what it has done wrong.

Clawing is instinctive in cats, so they don’t see anything wrong with scratching furniture. Punishment will only make your pet despise you.

If you stress out your cat, it might engage in behavior that many cat owners perceive as vengeful – urinating outside the litterbox, scratching the furniture even more than usual, or biting your hands.

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