Most of us have purchased scratching posts for our cats hoping to save furniture and carpet from cat paws. Scratchers often are costly so it’s very frustrating to buy one only to have it sit unused. There are some factors to consider when analyzing why your cat isn’t using his scratching post.
These might not be the answer in all situations, but come into play in the vast majority of cases:
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Texture
Is the material covering the scratcher comparable to where your cat is currently scratching? Some scratchers are attractive to look at for humans, but the material isn’t attractive to cats.
Observe the material your cat is scratching and be sure the scratcher you buy has a similar texture. For Marty, cardboard scratchers are what he will use.
One of his two favorite scratchers is the Scratch Lounge. He loves it, but if it becomes too used so he can’t get a good grip any longer with his nails, he will quit using it and resort to scratching beside it.
Height
Is the scratcher long or high enough for your cat to stretch out and scratch comfortably? If the scratcher is too short, your cat will have to adopt an awkward posture to use it, and one thing cats don’t like is to be uncomfortable.
Horizontal or Vertical?
I made this mistake a year or so when purchasing a scratching post for my cat Marty. He is a horizontal scratcher, meaning he tends to stretch in front to scratch vs. standing up. The scratching post I bought was vertical, it didn’t match Marty’s scratching ‘style’ so he’d walk around it rather than use it. Observe your cat’s scratching ‘style’ and keep it in mind when shopping for a scratcher.
Sturdiness
Does the scratcher wobble when your cat puts weight on it? Is the post coming loose from the base of the scratcher? Cats like to feel secure when scratching, knowing the surface will be steady to support them. If the scratcher you have isn’t sturdy, your cat is very possibly looking at other options, like your furniture.
Location
Have you put the scratcher in a corner of the house because it doesn’t fit in with the decor? Cats are all about convenience, so if his scratcher is located in a far corner of the house, your cat may be finding a spot closer to do his scratching.
Observing your cat’s scratching behavior and making a few adjustments should help correct the situation. Once I made the changes, it made a world of difference with Marty!
Written by Karen
