How to Get Your Cat to Use a Scratching Post
Get your cat to use a scratching post: pick a tall, sturdy post, place it by her favorite scratching spot, reward use, and make furniture less appealing.
By Best Pet Supplies Guide
Updated November 3, 2026
The most reliable way to get a cat to use a scratching post is to pick a tall, sturdy post covered in a rough material, put it right next to the spot your cat already scratches, and make it more rewarding than the furniture. Praise, treats, catnip and play all help. Making the couch less appealing for a while speeds things up. Scratching is normal cat behavior, so the goal is to redirect it, not stop it.
Why Cats Scratch (and Why You Can’t Train It Out)
Scratching is not spite. According to the Cornell Feline Health Center, cats scratch mainly to leave scent marks (they have scent glands in their paws) and to shed the outer sheaths of their claws. It describes the behavior as normal and instinctive, not revenge.
The ASPCA adds that cats also scratch to play, to stretch, and to signal territory to other cats. Because the urge is built in, your job is to give it a good place to go.
Choose a Post Your Cat Will Actually Use
A post only works if your cat likes it. Four things matter most: height, stability, material and angle.
Height and Stability
Most cats want to stretch their whole body while scratching. Cornell says a post should be at least as tall as your cat standing on her hind legs with her front legs outstretched, and it should not tip when she uses it. The ASPCA makes the same point, describing the goal as a sturdy post that won’t shift or collapse. A wobbly post teaches a cat to avoid it.
If you share your home with a big cat, check our guide to the best cat trees for large cats for tall, stable options with room to stretch.
Material: Match What She Already Scratches
Look at what your cat targets now. Cornell suggests that cats who go for a rough surface like a sofa may like a post wrapped in sisal or another rope-like material. The ASPCA recommends trying different surfaces, such as cardboard, carpet, wood, sisal and upholstery, to see which one your cat prefers.
Vertical or Horizontal?
Cats differ here too. Some scratch upright, some flat, and some at an angle. Cornell offers these matches:
| What your cat does | What to try |
|---|---|
| Scratches high on vertical surfaces | A tall post, or a scratcher mounted on a wall or door |
| Scratches flat on the floor or rugs | A flat cardboard scratcher or a log laid on its side |
| Targets rough, textured furniture | A post wrapped in sisal or rope-like material |
Once you learn her preference, the ASPCA suggests adding more of the same type of scratcher in several spots around the home.
Where to Put the Scratching Post
Location is often the difference between a post that gets used and one that gathers dust. Start where the scratching already happens. Cornell recommends placing the post right beside the spot your cat currently scratches, then moving it a little at a time toward the place you would prefer. If she scratches in more than one area, give each area its own post.
The ASPCA also suggests putting posts where your cat likes to climb and scratch. As general practical guidance, a post near a favorite resting spot is another easy place to try. Avoid hiding it in a back room she never visits. Browse the Cat Trees & Scratchers category for different styles to place in different rooms.
Step-by-Step: Encourage Your Cat to Use the Post
- Set it up next to the problem spot. Make sure it is stable and tall enough before she tries it.
- Add a scent or toy. The ASPCA suggests rubbing catnip on the post or hanging a toy from it. Cornell also suggests sprinkling treats or catnip on and around the post.
- Play near it. A wand toy that moves across or up the post can get her paws on it. This is general practical advice, so keep sessions short and fun.
- Reward use. Cornell recommends treats, petting or praise when she uses the post.
- Be patient and keep the old post. A worn, shredded post is still appealing. The ASPCA notes that the familiar scent and frayed texture attract cats, so avoid throwing it out.
Do not pick up your cat and force her paws onto the post. The ASPCA warns that this can frighten her and make her avoid it.
Make the Furniture Less Appealing
While she learns, make the couch or chair a worse choice. The ASPCA suggests covering or putting away items you want to protect, or making the surface unpleasant with plastic, double-sided tape, sandpaper or upside-down vinyl carpet runner. It also suggests placing a scratching post next to the protected item, so there is an obvious alternative.
Cornell offers similar ideas, such as draping a blanket or plastic sheet over the spot or using double-sided tape. It also suggests using an odor neutralizer where she has already scratched. For help with that step, see our Cleaning & Odor Control category. Remove the coverings slowly once she is using her post consistently.
Skip the Punishment
Scolding does not work well. Cornell says cats do not connect punishment with the scratching, and it can teach a cat to fear you or even lead to aggression. Yelling or squirting water may simply teach her to scratch only when you are out of the room. The ASPCA says startling a cat, such as with a clap or a squirt of water, should be a last resort because she may come to fear you.
Kittens vs. Older Cats
The basic steps are the same for every age. The points below are general practical guidance, not sourced facts.
- Kittens: Start early with a couple of low, stable scratchers, and keep play sessions near them. Remember that a kitten will grow, so plan to replace a small post with a taller one.
- Adult cats with set habits: They may already love a particular surface. Match that texture and angle first, then adjust.
- Older cats: Choose a stable post that is easy to approach, and place it where she already rests. If she seems to avoid stretching, jumping or scratching, mention it to your veterinarian.
Nail Trims and Nail Caps
Regular nail trims take the edge off damage to furniture. The ASPCA recommends trimming regularly. Cornell advises cutting only the hooked tip of the nail and avoiding the quick, which contains blood vessels and nerves. Ask your veterinarian or a groomer to show you the technique if you are unsure.
Nail caps are another option. These are plastic covers glued onto the claws, and they are temporary. The ASPCA puts their duration at about 4 to 6 weeks, while Cornell says to replace them every 6 to 12 weeks and recommends them only for cats who tolerate having their paws handled. Talk with your veterinarian before trying them.
Why Not Declaw?
Declawing is a surgical procedure, not a simple nail trim. The Feline Veterinary Medical Association (the new name of the AAFP) strongly opposes declawing as an elective procedure. It states that the surgery is not medically necessary in most cases, and that it involves amputating the third phalanx (the end bone) of each toe. It lists alternatives, including scratching posts and pads, regular nail trims, temporary nail caps, pheromone sprays or diffusers, and environmental enrichment.
The ASPCA also strongly opposes declawing. Cornell calls it an elective and controversial surgery, lists the risks of anesthesia, infection and bleeding, and notes that it does not remove the urge to scratch. It also says declawed cats should not go outdoors and that the surgery should only be a last resort, discussed with a veterinarian.
If scratching problems persist despite your efforts, the ASPCA suggests contacting a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist or a board-certified veterinary behaviorist.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take a cat to start using a scratching post?
There is no reliable timeline, since it depends on the cat and on how well the post matches her preferences. Start by placing it next to her current scratching spot, add catnip or a toy, and reward her whenever she uses it. If she ignores it, try a different material, height or angle.
Why do cats ignore a scratching post and scratch the couch?
The post may be too short, too wobbly, in the wrong place, or covered in a material she dislikes. Cornell recommends a post at least as tall as her full stretch and stable enough not to tip. Try matching the texture of the couch and placing the post right beside it.
How do I stop a cat from scratching furniture without punishment?
Make the furniture less appealing with coverings such as plastic or double-sided tape, and make the post more appealing with catnip, toys and rewards. Cornell says punishment is ineffective and can make a cat fearful of you.
Should I keep an old, shredded scratching post?
Usually yes. The ASPCA notes that a worn post has a familiar scent and a frayed texture that cats like. Replace it only when it becomes unstable, and put the new one nearby so she can transition.
Sources
- ASPCA, Destructive Scratching
- Cornell Feline Health Center, Feline Behavior Problems: Destructive Behavior
- Feline Veterinary Medical Association, 2017 Declawing Position Statement
About the author
Best Pet Supplies Guide publishes research-based buying guides, size guides and care how-tos for dog, cat and pet home supplies, using manufacturer specifications and guidance from reputable pet-care organizations.