How to Train a Cat to Use a Scratching Post
If you have ever caught your cat going to town on the sofa and wondered what you did to deserve such behavior, here is the reassuring truth: absolutely nothing. Your cat is not plotting against you. She is stretching her spine, maintaining her claws, marking her space, and working out a little stress.
Scratching is one of the most natural things a cat does, and no amount of scolding will stop your feline friend. The good news is that you do not need to stop it. You just need to give her something better to scratch.
Training a cat to use a scratching post involves three steps: choosing a post that suits your cat, placing it where she already scratches, and making it the most rewarding option in the room. This guide walks through each step.
Choosing the Right Scratching Post
Training can fail before it starts if the post is wrong for your cat. Material, orientation, height, and stability all matter.
The simplest way to figure out what your cat wants? Watch where she already scratches. That tells you everything.
Preferred Surface and Angle
| If your cat scratches... | She likely prefers... |
|---|---|
| Sofa arms or door frames | Vertical surface, rough fibrous texture |
| Rugs or carpet | Horizontal or low-angle surface |
| Both | Worth offering both orientations |
Woven sisal is the most popular choice with cats because it catches the claw well and does not fray into sharp fibers the way sisal rope does.
TopCat Products machine-stretches woven sisal tightly around every post so it becomes softer with use, not more abrasive.
Size and Stability
- Post must allow a full vertical stretch, at least 32" for most adult cats
- Must not wobble; a post that tips when a cat leans into it will be abandoned fast
- Wide, weighted base with nylon buttons or rubber feet to prevent sliding on hard floors
- A hollow tube adds a resonant scratching sound that cats naturally respond to
Browse the cat scratching post options at TopCat Products, made in the USA and built to these exact standards.
How to Train a Cat to Use a Scratching Post
A few consistent minutes daily works far better than one long session. Keep it low-key and let your cat lead.
Strategic Post Placement
Place the post directly beside the spot your cat already scratches. Not across the room. Right next to the scratched sofa arm or rug corner.
Once she uses it consistently, move it a few inches at a time toward where you would prefer it to live.
Moving it too fast usually means starting over.
Positive Introduction
- Dangle a wand toy up the side of the post to encourage contact
- Rub a little catnip into the sisal if your cat responds to it. Keep in mind that roughly 1 in 3 cats has no catnip sensitivity due to genetics, per research published in BMC Veterinary Research via NCBI, so do not worry if it does not affect your kitty
- Let her sniff and explore at her own pace
- Never force her paws onto the post, as this creates aversion rather than interest
Immediate Rewards
Reward the moment she makes contact with the post, not after she finishes. Use whatever motivates her most: a treat, a play session, or enthusiastic praise.
Kittens follow the same process. Keep sessions short and frequent since novelty does much of the work early on.
How to Redirect Scratching Away From Furniture
As Bruce Kornreich, DVM, Director of Cornell University's Feline Health Center, explains via Chewy, "Cat scratching is nearly always behavioral," which means punishment has no place in the solution.
According to Providence Veterinary Hospital, scolding a cat for scratching increases anxiety and can actually worsen the problem.
Protect Target Surfaces
- Place the post directly beside the scratched sofa arm before moving it anywhere else
- Temporarily cover targeted spots with double-sided tape or a plastic mat
- Once the post becomes her preferred surface, remove the deterrents gradually
Punishments to Avoid
- Yelling, clapping, or spraying with water
- Physically moving her away from the surface
- Placing her paws onto the post
None of these show your cat where it is allowed to scratch. They only raise her stress levels, which can actually increase scratching as a coping response.
What to Do When a Cat Ignores the Scratching Post
Change one variable at a time and observe.
- Try a horizontal scratcher alongside the vertical one; some cats have a strong preference for one over the other
- Add a second post near a sleeping area or a high-traffic room
- Confirm the post is completely stable; even slight wobbling is enough to put a cat off
- Older cats may prefer a lower, more accessible surface if reaching up is uncomfortable. A sudden change in scratching behavior in a senior cat is worth a vet conversation, as it can occasionally indicate pain or mobility changes
Most kitties come around with patience, the right post, and the right placement.
Give Your Cat Something Worth Scratching
Scratching is not a problem to fix. It is a need to meet. Give your kitty a post that’s taller, sturdier, and more satisfying than the sofa, and she’ll use it every time.
TopCat Products has built scratching posts in Tennessee since its founding as a humane alternative to declawing. Every post comes with organic catnip and a 30-day no-questions-asked return policy. Browse the full line at topcatproducts.com or call
(615) 337-6869.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to train a cat to use a scratching post?
It varies with the cat's habits, the post's suitability, and the consistency with which rewards are offered. Some cats adapt within hours; others take a few weeks. Focus on the process rather than a fixed timeline.
Why won't my cat use a scratching post?
The most likely causes are an unsuitable texture or angle, a wobbling post, placement too far from existing scratch spots, or a nearby surface that is more appealing. Change one variable at a time and observe.
Should I have multiple scratching posts?
Yes, especially in multi-room or multi-cat homes. Placing posts near sleeping areas and high-traffic zones gives every cat easy access to an appropriate surface and reduces competition between cats.
How do you train a kitten to use a scratching post?
Start early with a stable, accessible post. Guide exploration with a wand toy, reward any contact immediately, and keep sessions brief. Kittens introduced to a post before bad habits form rarely become furniture scratchers.
