scratching post

My new cat, Imogen, doesn't use her scratching post! As I'm living in furnished, rental housing, this could soon be a problem. I've tried introducing her to it, playing with string around/on it and spraying it with liquid catnip. NOTHING. Maybe it's the sisal...

Any brilliant ideas?

From reading another post, I've gathered that I may have posted this in the wrong area. My apologies. I just posted it here because my friends are here. You've heard about Imogen and helped before. But, I'll go post this in a behavior forum...if there is one...

Hi, all. I've posted other issues in the health forum. But, now that my cat's healthy I guess I should move over here...

My new cat, Imogen, (five-year-old rescued cat--been with me for three weeks) doesn't use her scratching post! As I'm living in furnished, rental housing, this could soon be a problem. It is sturdy and has both vertical and horizontal scratching surfaces as well as great toys (a ball that spins around the top and a mouse on a giant spring). I've tried introducing her to it, playing with string around/on it, feeding her on it, scratching it myself, and spraying it with liquid catnip. NOTHING. Maybe it's the sisal...(She's not into cardboard either--or carpeted doormats.)

I've read the "look here first" article, but didn't see anything new. Any other ideas since the thread closed?

What is she scratching on? Anything?

Instead of an expensive scratching post that cats often ignore, I have bought several cheap sisal doormats, as rough as possible, and put them around the house. The cats love them, and use them in preference to anything else! And they can stretch out while they scratch. Dushka often sleeps on one - I can't imagine why, but she also scratches hard on it.

I just posted on this in the other forum - try sisal door mats - my cats love them and I scatter them around on top of hte carpets.

If you don't have this kind try it my furrys wouldn't use any other kind and my sofa was suffering I got this and it worked like a charm. Best of luck!

I have a brilliant idea....

Petsmart has corragated cardboard things that lay on the ground or they can be angled upwards and cats love to scratch on them. There is usually 2 in the pack and they are from $5-$10 depending on the brand and size and stuff. I have like 6 in my apartment and they LOVE them. Some come with catnip sprinkled on top to attract the cats.

Try that.

have you tried taking her paw and scratching it down it? or another way is every time you see her scratch move her to the post. or try putting it near to where she sleeps. my cat loves a goos scratch after a sleep.

maybe try a new post if not? she might not like the one you have.

It took time to teach my kitten Izzie to use the scratching post, but she learned from watching me and my other cat scratch the post. Everytime Izzie would scratch something I didn't want her to scratch I would pick her up, place her in front of the post, and I would scratch the post myself. I praise her when I see her scratching to post. I have 2 scratching posts. One is made of sisal fabric and provides for both horizontal and vertical scratching. The other is a sisal rope post.

One day, I walked into my livingroom and caught Izzie scratching my chair. As soon as she saw me, she immediately ran over to the scratching post and gave it a good scratching.

Originally Posted by jennyranson

Instead of an expensive scratching post that cats often ignore, I have bought several cheap sisal doormats, as rough as possible, and put them around the house. The cats love them, and use them in preference to anything else! And they can stretch out while they scratch. Dushka often sleeps on one - I can't imagine why, but she also scratches hard on it.

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Hi Jennyranson,
Just wondering, what exactly do these doormats look like. I am not even sure I know what Sisal looks like...?
And if I go to a store to get one, around how much would i be looking at?
thanks.

Originally Posted by anooshka

Hi Jennyranson,
Just wondering, what exactly do these doormats look like. I am not even sure I know what Sisal looks like...?
And if I go to a store to get one, around how much would i be looking at?
thanks.

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Sisal is rope, usually wound around scratching posts, but also used for other things. So look for a kinda tough rope like door welcome mat.

Good luck in your endevours. My Katy has refused to use a scratching post/mat or cardbourd thingy for 10 years. I have a pine wash stand with one scratched leg and a
really nice pine book case with a deep scratch gash down one side - just Katy height!

Originally Posted by hissy

What is she scratching on? Anything?

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Nothing that I've seen. But, she's not been well. Now that she's perked up and is taking an interest in life I'm worried about the chairs...

Originally Posted by jennyranson

I just posted on this in the other forum - try sisal door mats - my cats love them and I scatter them around on top of hte carpets.

Click to expand...

I'll give them a try...
Thanks!

Originally Posted by dmcwlvssr

If you don't have this kind try it my furrys wouldn't use any other kind and my sofa was suffering I got this and it worked like a charm. Best of luck!

Click to expand...

The post and base are both covered in sisal rope...

Originally Posted by Jen

I have a brilliant idea....

Petsmart has corragated cardboard things that lay on the ground or they can be angled upwards and cats love to scratch on them. There is usually 2 in the pack and they are from $5-$10 depending on the brand and size and stuff. I have like 6 in my apartment and they LOVE them. Some come with catnip sprinkled on top to attract the cats.

Try that.

Click to expand...

Sadly, there is no Petsmart here. I HAVE tried to entice her with cardboard boxes, but she's not interested. Maybe my sister can send some from the States...

Thanks for the idea!

Originally Posted by MissCharlotte

It took time to teach my kitten Izzie to use the scratching post, but she learned from watching me and my other cat scratch the post. Everytime Izzie would scratch something I didn't want her to scratch I would pick her up, place her in front of the post, and I would scratch the post myself. I praise her when I see her scratching to post. I have 2 scratching posts. One is made of sisal fabric and provides for both horizontal and vertical scratching. The other is a sisal rope post.

One day, I walked into my livingroom and caught Izzie scratching my chair. As soon as she saw me, she immediately ran over to the scratching post and gave it a good scratching.

Click to expand...

LOL! I can just see Izzie's guilty face...I'll keep trying...

Originally Posted by maverick_kitten

have you tried taking her paw and scratching it down it? or another way is every time you see her scratch move her to the post. or try putting it near to where she sleeps. my cat loves a goos scratch after a sleep.

maybe try a new post if not? she might not like the one you have.

Click to expand...

I have tried helping her scratch with her paw--several times. She looks at me like I'm nuts. I haven't been able to catch her scratching at ANYTHING... She's been ill. Now that she's up and about, I think the scratching will commence. Her claws certainly need dulling...

When you see her start to scratch on a surface, then try to redirect her to her scratching post. If she continues to use the inappropriate location, then move her scratching post over to where she is scratching and see if she will then transfer to it.

You could pick up a real wood log from outside and allow her to scratch on that. Make sure it is sturdy enough not to rock. Sisal floor mats are also great as well as those big 'hairy brown' outdoor mats that are usually by the 'muddiest' entrance (mine demolish those actually), as well as the cork bulletin boards. You can get straight pieces or squares of cork at many hardware stores. You could try picking up some of the cardboard scratchng pads and placing them around the chairs as alternatives. A 4' length of 2 x 4 lumber that can be leaned against a wall some place may also provide her with a suitable surface. I have used all of these at various times and locations and they all work.

Good luck,
Kathryn

Since she hasn't been feeling well, she hasn't really established a scratching habit yet.

Originally Posted by imogen

Sadly, there is no Petsmart here. I HAVE tried to entice her with cardboard boxes, but she's not interested. Maybe my sister can send some from the States...

Thanks for the idea!

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petsmart got closed down (at least the one around here) for animal cruelty. they replaced it with Pets At Home