Kittens using scratching posts AND furniture.

Hi!

I am looking for opinions on a good scratching post. I have 2 "scratch pods" made by "smartycat" where you can change the filler. My kittens use them both, but they still use my computer chair and kitchen mat (both of which I don't want scratched). I have one of the scratchers right under the chair and the other in my bedroom so they don't scratch anything in there.

Any ideas on how to get them to stop scratching the chair and kitchen mat?

Thank you!
LK

Do they have any kind of scratchable climbing frame? Do they use the scratch pods at all? I've never had a problem with furniture scratching in my house. When I first got Ziggy, I had a cheap rope type scratch post with a rattley ball hanging off it, and when the kittens came along, I bought a small climbing frame one (only 3 ft high and about 1.5 ft wide) They love it. I've never used the boards because I haven't felt the need to have anymore than I already have.

How do you tell them off when they do it?

Hi! Thanks for the reply.

Yes, they both use both of the pods. They are both flat. I tried hanging one from the doorknob (it has the option to do that), but they didn't like it there, so I have them both on the floor and they seem to like that better.

I don't have a climbing frame. I haven't found one that I like. I have a perch so they can sit in the window and they love that (but it's not a scratcher). Do you have any suggestions on what kind of small climbable scratch thingy would be good?

When they scratch the chair and kitchen mat, I usually just move them to the scratch pod. I don't want to yell "no" because I don't want them to think I am yelling at them for scratching. Any suggestions on this will also be appreciated.

Thanks!

My bigger one is like this:

http://www.pets2home.co.uk/item--Che...e--576144.html

But you don't have to get anything like that. It could be something basic like this:

http://www.woodcreekmall.com/files/SisalCatPost.jpg
They might want something more upright that ill stay upright. On a door it will move around alot.

When you remove them from the furniture they aren't suposed to use, put their paws on their scratching pads and make the scratching motion. Theres no point in telling them not to do something when you don't show them there is an alternative.

Originally Posted by sadieandziggy

When you remove them from the furniture they aren't suposed to use, put their paws on their scratching pads and make the scratching motion. Theres no point in telling them not to do something when you don't show them there is an alternative.

Click to expand...

Cool! That's exactly what I've been doing, I just wasn't sure if they were "getting it." I'll keep it up.

Also, thanks for the links. I'll look into something similar at the stores.

Thanks again,
LK

It might be worth giving them a treat when they use the pads instead of the furniture. That way they'll keep doing and will associate it with something good.