How To Train A Cat To Use Scratching Post

Introduction

Scratching is natural behavior for cats, but you can train your cat to use a scratching post instead of the corner of your couch. To start, find the right spot for your cat’s new toy. Next, make sure the post doesn’t move around by securing it to the floor with two-sided carpet tape. Another way to get your cat interested in using the scratching post is by making any other furniture less attractive. You can also reward good behavior with treats and attention. Training a cat is a process that takes time and patience, so keep at it!

Step 1: Get a scratching post.

First, you need to get a scratching post. Here are some things to keep in mind:

Make sure it’s tall enough for your cat. Cats like their feet up when they scratch and stretch, so make sure you get something tall enough for them to do both comfortably.
Make sure it’s sturdy. Some cats may not be used to using a scratching post made with real wood or bamboo, or an old carpeted door that someone gave you as a gift—it can feel unstable under their paws at first! If this happens, try putting something soft around the base (like a towel) until they start using it regularly. Once they’ve started using the post regularly, though, then remove those materials and let them enjoy the full experience of their new home accessory!
Put it where your cat will use it—this should go without saying but people sometimes forget this step! Most cats prefer vertical surfaces like doors or walls over horizontal ones like tables or floors because of reasons involving gravity and whatnot; if possible place yours somewhere convenient for both human beings as well as feline ones–maybe near where humans often sit down on couches etcetera? Or maybe even right next door where another pet lives? Whatever makes sense for everyone involved should work fine here; just remember no matter what happens there will always be one person left out of this equation (and yet somehow always seems happy anyway).

Step 2: Find the right spot for your cat’s new toy.

Now that you know how to make a cat scratch post, it’s time to determine where you’ll put it.

Place the scratching post in a spot that is visible to your cat. The more accessible an item is for your feline friend, the more likely she’ll use it regularly. If you hide the scratching post in a dark corner of your home, there’s no chance she’ll ever find it and start using it on her own.
Place the scratching post in a spot where your cat will be able to use it. Cats prefer certain types of materials over others; this could mean anything from plush carpeting and sisal rope (both available at hardware stores) or anything else similar enough to offer adequate resistance when being scratched by claws instead of human hands (such as cardboard). If possible, try looking through local stores first before heading online so that you can see exactly what kind of material they offer while also getting firsthand experience with how different kinds feel against human skin (which makes sense since humans are usually around when cats want something new). You may even notice some similarities between these products’ textures and how they feel against bare feet during regular use—and wouldn’t THAT be interesting?!

Step 3: Don’t move the post to where your cat is scratching.

The third step is to not move the post to where your cat is scratching. If you move the post, your cat will not be able to associate the post with the scratching behavior. You will have to start over again.

Step 4: Make your furniture less attractive.

Now that you’ve invested in a proper scratching post, the next step is to make sure your furniture isn’t too attractive. If you want to avoid those unsightly claw marks and shredded fabric, keep your cat’s favorite spot near the scratching post.

It’s also important to make sure that the scratching post is stable and has a good grip on it. A flimsy piece of cardboard will be more attractive than a sturdy one, so try to invest in something with some heft to it.

Step 5: Reward good behavior with treats and attention.

When your cat shows good behavior, it’s important to reward them with treats and attention. However, you shouldn’t reward bad behavior. For example, if your cat scratches the carpet in the living room instead of their scratching post, don’t bother scolding them for their bad behavior. Instead, gently remove them from the area and redirect their attention towards the scratching post by rubbing it with a piece of paper or cloth until they’re interested in it again. When they start scratching on their own accord as well as using the new item properly several times in a row (for example 5 minutes straight), you can give them verbal praise or petting while they’re doing so!

If you want to give your cats some extra encouragement during training sessions, try giving out small treats like wet cat food or dry treats like kibble throughout each session once training has begun so that they’ll associate using an object with being rewarded for doing so rather than being scolded for not doing so enough times within each session without any reinforcement coming afterwards (which could make some cats nervous about continuing).

Keep in mind that training a cat is a process that takes time and patience.

>Keep in mind that training a cat is a process that takes time and patience. Cats are independent and stubborn, so you need to be patient with the process of getting them to use the scratching post.

>Cats are not like dogs; they don’t respond well to being told what to do. Instead, you should try appealing to their curiosity and natural instincts by letting them have fun while teaching them how to use their scratching posts as part of a rewarding game of fetch or hide-and-seek.

>Cats also have different personalities than children or other animals, so if your cat doesn’t respond well when you say “no,” try saying something else instead! Some cats might respond better if they hear “please” instead of “no.”

>It’s important not only for training but also for communicating with your cat on any given day (or hour) that you remember this important fact about cats: They’re cats! In order for us all

Conclusion

Remember that you’re going to need lots of patience and perseverance to teach your cat new habits, so don’t be afraid to ask for help from your fellow pet owners when needed. Also remember that all cats are individuals, so what works for one may not always work for another. We’d love to hear about your experiences training cats or other pets in the comments—good luck!