How to Get a Cat to Use a Scratching Post

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How to get cat to use scratching post starts with placement, texture and stability. The ASPCA’s advice is not to stop a cat from scratching but to teach it where and what to scratch. That means offering a post the cat will actually want, placing it where the cat already scratches or sleeps, and making the furniture less attractive. This guide walks through those steps with sourced advice from the ASPCA, Cornell Feline Health Center and the Edmonton Humane Society, and marks general guidance clearly.

Quick answer

• Offer a sturdy post in the material and direction the cat prefers, and offer more than one type.
• Place the post near where the cat already scratches or sleeps.
• Encourage use with play and catnip on the post, and reward the cat when it uses it.
• Make the furniture less appealing while the cat learns the new habit.

Step 1: Choose a post that will not tip

The ASPCA says that for upright scratchers, the post should not wobble or tip over when the cat scratches on it, because a cat may avoid a post that moves. Cornell gives the same guidance in its destructive-behavior material, saying a post should be sturdy enough that it does not topple when the cat stretches up on its hind legs. Before you buy or build, push on the post and test whether it stays put under a stretch.

This step matters because a wobbly post teaches a cat to avoid it. General guidance: if your post is lightweight, weight the base or anchor it to the wall.

Step 2: Match the cat’s preferred direction and material

For materials in more detail, see best cat scratcher material, and for carpet posts see carpet for cat scratching post. Cornell says the scratching post should match the cat’s preferred scratching orientation, horizontal or vertical, and its substrate, such as wood or fabric. A cat that climbs and scratches upright surfaces may prefer a vertical post, while one that scratches carpet may prefer a horizontal pad. Cornell also notes that a carpet-covered post can be a good choice for cats that scratch carpets.

The ASPCA recommends offering a variety of scratchers so the owner can learn what the cat prefers. Its examples include flat, upright and angled designs, and cardboard, carpeted, rope-wrapped and wood surfaces. The Edmonton Humane Society likewise advises placing several posts made from different materials.

Step 3: Make sure the post is tall enough

The ASPCA advises posts that are tall enough for the cat to get in a full stretch. Edmonton gives a specific guideline: a vertical post should be at least six inches taller than the cat, so the cat can stretch fully while it scratches. Measure your cat from nose to base of tail as a rough reference, then look for a post that clears a full stretch above that height. Measurement method here is general guidance, not from the sources.

Step 4: Place the post where the cat will find it

The ASPCA says to place at least one scratcher close to where the cat likes to sleep, because cats often scratch when they wake up. Edmonton recommends placing posts near doors, windows and the bed, and especially in areas where the cat already likes to scratch. Cornell suggests placing a new post next to an area the cat already likes to scratch, then moving it gradually to a spot you prefer. If the cat scratches in several places, Cornell says to provide a post near each one.

Step 5: Encourage the cat to try it

The ASPCA suggests running a wand toy over the scratcher during interactive play, or sprinkling catnip on it. Cornell describes the same approach: take the cat to the new post, reward it with treats, strokes and praise when it uses the post, and entice it with treats or catnip placed on or around the post. Edmonton also recommends introducing cat-friendly scents such as catnip, silver vine or honeysuckle in toys and on scratching posts.

Keep sessions short and positive. General guidance: if the cat ignores the post, try a different angle, material or spot instead of pushing the cat onto it.

Step 6: Discourage the furniture

The ASPCA recommends making the unwanted surface unavailable or less attractive. Its examples include covering speakers, placing double-sided sticky tape on furniture, putting upside-down vinyl carpet runners with the nubby side up on furniture or carpets, and trying furniture protectors. Cornell says the only guaranteed way to stop scratching on an area is to restrict access, and that covering items with blankets, sheets of plastic or double-sided tape may deter scratching.

Cornell also notes that because scratching has a scent-marking component, cats are more likely to scratch again in areas that already carry their scent. General guidance: an odor neutralizer can help clear those spots, so the cat is not drawn back to them.

Step 7: Keep the claws trimmed

The ASPCA recommends trimming claws every week, one or two nails at a time, and rewarding the cat with a treat or play afterward. It also describes plastic caps that attach to claws with adhesive, which last four to six weeks and stop damage while the cat still scratches. Cornell advises replacing those caps every six to twelve weeks and warns against cutting into the quick, the pink tissue inside the nail.

Step 8: Do not force the cat onto the post

The ASPCA warns owners not to hold the cat by the scratching post and force it to drag its claws across the surface. It says this practice is likely to frighten the cat and teach it to avoid the post completely. Cornell similarly says punishment does not teach a cat where to scratch, and that a cat punished only when the owner is present may simply scratch when the owner is away.

Step 9: Keep the used post in place

The ASPCA says not to throw away a favorite post when it becomes unsightly. Cats prefer shredded and torn objects, and used posts smell and look familiar. A worn post that the cat uses is still doing its job, so replacing it too early can undo progress.

How we chose

We chose sources from institutions: the ASPCA, the Cornell Feline Health Center and the Edmonton Humane Society. Sourced claims in this guide come only from those pages. Retail and blog pages were not used for sourced claims, and anything that is general guidance is labeled as such.

What we could not verify

None of the sources we saved gives a number of days or weeks for a cat to learn to use a new post, so we cannot say how long the process takes. The sources do not compare specific brands or materials, and they do not say which post design works best for a given cat. The ASPCA and Cornell pages describe catnip and treats as encouragement, but they do not measure how well those tools work. The advice on measuring a cat and on using an odor neutralizer is general guidance, not sourced advice.

FAQ

Why won’t my cat use the scratching post?

The sources point to a few likely causes: the post may wobble, be too short for a full stretch, be made of a surface the cat does not like, or sit away from where the cat wants to scratch. General guidance: fix stability first, then move the post closer to the cat’s favorite scratching spot.

Does catnip help a cat use a scratching post?

The ASPCA and Cornell both suggest placing catnip or treats on or around the post to encourage use. The sources do not measure how effective catnip is, and some cats do not respond to it. General guidance: try it, and if there is no response, use play or treats instead.

How do I stop a cat scratching the sofa?

The ASPCA suggests making the sofa less attractive with double-sided tape, vinyl carpet runners placed nubby side up, or furniture protectors, while offering a better post. Cornell says the only guaranteed way is to restrict access. Use the furniture fix and the post together.

Should I trim my cat’s nails before introducing a post?

The ASPCA recommends trimming claws every week, cutting one or two nails at a time with a treat afterward. Trimmed claws reduce damage while the cat learns the new habit. Cornell warns against cutting into the quick, so ask a vet or groomer to demonstrate if you are unsure.

Can I punish my cat for scratching the sofa?

Cornell says punishment usually does not teach the right lesson, and the ASPCA warns against forcing a cat onto a post. Both sources prefer redirecting the behavior. Ask a veterinarian if you are worried that scratching has become a stress-related problem.

What if my cat still scratches the furniture after a few weeks?

The sources do not give a timeline. General guidance: check that the post is stable and tall enough, place it where the cat sleeps or scratches, and add a second post in a different material. If the behavior changes suddenly, ask a vet, because changes in behavior can have medical causes.

Bottom line

Getting a cat to use a scratching post is mostly about making the right choice easy. The ASPCA, Cornell and Edmonton sources agree on a few points: use a stable post tall enough for a full stretch, offer more than one type, place it where the cat already scratches or sleeps, and make the furniture less appealing. Avoid forcing or punishing the cat. For nail health or any sudden change in scratching habits, ask a veterinarian.

Sources

• ASPCA, Scratching Behavior in Cats: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/scratching-behavior-cats (opened 2026-10-27)
• Cornell Feline Health Center, Destructive Behavior (PDF): https://www.vet.cornell.edu/sites/default/files/Destructive%20Behavior%202021%20Accessible.pdf (opened 2026-10-27)
• Edmonton Humane Society, Cat Enrichment Resources (PDF): https://edmontonhumanesociety.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2024-cat-enrichment-EHS-Resources.pdf (opened 2026-10-27)