How to Introduce a New Scratching Post So Your Cat Actually Uses It

Buying a scratching post does not guarantee that a cat will use it. Cats make practical decisions about scratching: the surface must feel satisfying, the structure must stay still, the post must allow the preferred body position and—most importantly—it must be where the cat wants to leave a visual and scent mark.

If a new post is being ignored while the sofa remains popular, the cat is not being stubborn. The existing surface is probably meeting one or more needs better. A successful introduction starts by making the approved option easier and more rewarding than the furniture.

Why cats need to scratch

Scratching is normal feline behaviour. It helps maintain the outer layers of the claws, stretches muscles and leaves both visible marks and scent from glands around the paws. Cats may also scratch during excitement or after waking.

Because the behaviour is normal, punishment is unlikely to solve the problem. Shouting or startling a cat can add stress while leaving the need to scratch unchanged. The useful question is not “How do I stop scratching?” but “Which surface, position and location will this cat choose?”

Check the post before introducing it

It should be tall or long enough

For a vertical scratcher, the cat should be able to reach up and stretch without running out of usable surface. RSPCA guidance recommends a post that permits a full stretch. Large cats often need a taller post than compact products marketed for kittens.

Not every cat wants to scratch vertically. If your cat targets rugs, carpet edges or the floor, offer a horizontal or gently angled scratcher. Our guide to why cats scratch floors explains how to match the replacement to the existing pattern.

It must be stable

A post that rocks, slides or threatens to fall can lose the cat’s trust after one attempt. Press the top firmly from several directions. The base should remain flat and the column should not wobble. Put a non-slip mat underneath if smooth timber or tile allows the base to move.

The texture must suit the cat

Sisal rope, sisal fabric, corrugated cardboard and carpet all feel different under the claws. Look at the surfaces the cat already chooses. A cat using the side of a woven sofa may prefer a firm vertical textile, while a cat using cardboard boxes may accept a horizontal cardboard scratcher quickly.

Durability matters. Replace or repair a scratcher when fasteners, staples, loose fibres or unstable parts become exposed. Check it regularly in multi-cat homes where wear can develop quickly.

Put it where scratching already happens

Location is often more important than appearance. Cats commonly scratch in socially important areas, along travel paths, near sleeping places and beside entrances. Hiding the new post in a spare room because it looks neater may make it irrelevant to the cat.

For the first few weeks, place the post directly in front of or beside the surface currently being scratched. If the sofa arm is the target, the post should interrupt easy access to that exact corner. Once the cat uses it reliably, move it only a few centimetres every few days if you want a slightly different final position.

Also consider a scratcher near a favourite sleeping spot. Many cats stretch and scratch soon after waking. A second post in a hallway or family area may serve territorial communication better than one object expected to cover the entire home.

A step-by-step introduction

1. Let the post arrive quietly. Assemble it securely and give the cat time to inspect it without being carried over or held against it.
2. Create interest around the base. Play with a wand toy near the post, moving the toy up the surface only if the cat remains relaxed.
3. Reward voluntary contact. The moment the cat sniffs, touches or scratches the post, offer calm praise, a small food reward or another activity the cat values.
4. Repeat briefly. Two or three short sessions are better than one long attempt that creates frustration.
5. Protect the old target temporarily. Use a fitted cover or another safe, non-damaging barrier while keeping the approved post directly beside it.

Some cats respond to catnip or silver vine, but not every cat is sensitive and responses vary. Use a small amount on or near the scratcher rather than forcing the cat to interact. Stop if the cat becomes overexcited or uncomfortable.

Do not place the cat’s paws on the post

Moving a cat’s paws in a scratching motion may seem like a demonstration, but restraint can make the post feel unpleasant. Cats learn more effectively through voluntary exploration and immediate rewards. Let the cat control distance and duration.

Similarly, avoid spraying the cat with water or creating frightening noises near the furniture. The cat may become wary of you or of the room without learning which surface to use instead.

If the post is still ignored, diagnose the mismatch

• Cat scratches high on the sofa: choose a taller, stable vertical post.
• Cat scratches carpet: add a wide horizontal scratcher that cannot slide.
• Cat sniffs but will not lean on it: test the base for movement.
• Cat uses it only during play: keep rewarding and place another scratcher near the normal resting or travel area.
• One cat blocks another: provide multiple separated posts rather than clustering them together.
• Post was used and then abandoned: inspect for wear, odour, instability or a changed household route.

Choosing between a post and a cat tree

A simple post can be ideal when scratching is the main need and floor space is limited. A larger tree adds climbing, elevated rest and sometimes hiding areas, but it still needs scratchable sections that are tall and accessible enough for a full stretch. Browse cat trees and scratching furniture by checking dimensions and stability rather than choosing on appearance alone.

For renters, use a broad freestanding base and non-slip protection rather than attaching hardware without permission. Position the unit so a jump or vigorous scratch cannot tip it into a window, heater or fragile object.

How many scratching options are needed?

One post is not always enough, particularly in a larger home or a multi-cat household. RSPCA guidance notes that individual cats can have different style preferences and that one cat may restrict another’s access. Offer at least one appropriate scratching option per cat, then add options in important shared areas when needed.

Variety does not require filling the home with large towers. A tall post beside the sofa, a cardboard pad near a sleeping place and a stable tree near a window can meet different purposes.

When scratching changes suddenly

A sudden increase in scratching can accompany household stress, conflict or environmental change. Look for other signs such as hiding, urine marking, aggression, appetite changes or avoidance of normal areas. A veterinarian can help rule out health concerns and may recommend qualified behaviour support.

For evidence-based background, read the RSPCA Knowledgebase guidance on furniture scratching and its discussion of safe and happy indoor environments.

The takeaway

The best scratching post is not simply the most attractive or expensive one. It is stable, large enough, covered in a texture the cat enjoys and placed at the point where scratching matters to the cat. Introduce it through choice and reward, protect the old target temporarily and adjust one variable at a time. That approach gives the new post a genuine chance to become part of the cat’s daily routine.