Quick answer: To get your cat to use a scratching post, put a tall, stable sisal post where they already scratch, make the old spot less appealing, add catnip or silvervine, play with a wand toy across it and reward every use. Follow a 7-day routine, then keep rewarding for 2 to 3 more weeks until the habit is solid.
You bought a scratching post, set it up and your cat walked right past it to scratch the couch. This is one of the most common frustrations for cat owners, and it is usually fixable. Cats are not being stubborn; the post is often in the wrong place, the wrong size or the wrong texture. This 7-day routine fixes the setup first, then builds the habit.
Give them a better corner, right where they already scratch
Training works best when the right scratching surface sits exactly where the habit happens. The CozeCat Side Table puts natural sisal at the sofa corner and a table top above it, so the fix looks like furniture, not a cat accessory.
What should you check before day 1?
Run through this checklist. Most failures come from one of these:
| Requirement | Why it matters | Quick fix |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Cats scratch where they mark territory | Place it at the current target |
| Height | Cats want a full stretch | Taller than your cat stretched out |
| Stability | Wobbling scares cats off | Wide base or brace against furniture |
| Texture | Rough, shreddable surfaces satisfy | Sisal |
| Orientation | Vertical or horizontal preference | Match your cat's style |
If your cat scratches the couch arm, the best location is the couch arm. A corner scratcher that fits your sofa arm sits flush against the arm so your cat keeps the same position and stretch. The CozeCat Side Table comes in 21.5, 23.5 or 25.5 inches to match common arm heights.
Where should the post go on day 1?
- Put the scratcher right at the spot your cat scratches.
- Cover the old target with a throw or temporary cover.
- Rub catnip or silvervine on the sisal if your cat responds to it.
- Let your cat investigate on their own; do not force paws onto it.
Day 2: add scent
- Rub a soft cloth on your cat's cheeks and wipe it on the scratcher. Familiar scent makes it feel like theirs.
- Place a favorite blanket nearby.
- Reward any sniffing or touching with a quiet "good" and a treat.
Day 3: play across the surface
- Drag a wand toy slowly across and up the sisal.
- When claws catch, your cat feels the texture and often keeps scratching.
- Do two short sessions, morning and evening.
Day 4: catch the natural moments
Cats scratch at predictable times:
- Right after waking.
- When you come home.
- After meals.
- During play.
At these times, invite your cat to the scratcher with a toy, and reward any use.
Day 5: reinforce
- Keep rewarding every scratch.
- If your cat goes to the old spot, calmly redirect with a toy to the scratcher.
- Never punish; it increases stress.
Day 6: add a second option if needed
If your cat scratches in more than one place, add a scratcher there too. Cats with two favorite corners may need a Pair. Horizontal scratchers might need a floor mat. See vertical vs. horizontal scratchers.
Day 7: review
- Is your cat using the scratcher most days?
- Any new damage on the old spot?
- If yes and no, keep the routine but relax the effort. If not, see troubleshooting below.
The 7-day routine at a glance
| Day | Focus | Key action |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Placement | Scratcher at the target; cover old spot |
| 2 | Scent | Cheek cloth, catnip |
| 3 | Play | Wand toy across sisal |
| 4 | Timing | Invite at natural scratch times |
| 5 | Reinforce | Reward, redirect |
| 6 | Expand | Add scratchers for other spots |
| 7 | Review | Adjust the setup |
Give them a better corner, right where they already scratch
Training works best when the right scratching surface sits exactly where the habit happens. The CozeCat Side Table puts natural sisal at the sofa corner and a table top above it, so the fix looks like furniture, not a cat accessory.
What if your cat still ignores the post?
My cat still ignores it
- Move it closer to the target. Inches matter.
- Try a different texture or orientation.
- Check stability by pushing on it; if it wobbles, fix that first.
My cat uses it but still scratches the couch sometimes
- Leave the cover on longer.
- Add a scratcher at the other corner.
- Keep rewarding.
My cat scratches the side of the post, not the front
That is fine. Any use is a win.
My cat is a kitten
Kittens learn quickly but have short attention spans. Use many short sessions. See how to train a kitten to use a scratching post.
Why does a couch-height scratcher work well?
Many cats target the couch because the arm is the perfect height, stable and central. A freestanding post across the room does not compete. A scratcher table at the arm takes over the same spot. The wood cat scratcher side table from CozeCat also works as an end table, with a top that holds up to 50 lbs and natural sisal on Velcro-backed mats. When the sisal wears, replace the mat with replacement mats.
What does success look like?
- Your cat heads to the scratcher after naps.
- Loose sisal fibers show regular use.
- No new marks on the couch.
Mistakes to avoid
- Placing the scratcher in a spare room.
- Choosing a short, wobbly post.
- Removing covers too soon.
- Scolding or spraying water.
- Forcing paws onto the surface.
Multi-cat homes
In a home with more than one cat, each cat may claim a different spot. Watch each cat separately and give each one an option at its favorite target. Competition over one scratcher can push a cat back to the couch.
How do you get your cat to use a scratching post long term?
After the first week, keep rewarding occasionally, keep claws trimmed, replace worn sisal and keep the scratcher in the same spot. Habits strengthen over time.
What makes a post worth scratching?
If a cat ignores a new post, the post is often the problem, not the cat. Cats scratch to stretch, shed old claw sheaths and leave scent and visual marks, so they look for a surface that lets them do all three. A good post is tall enough for a full stretch, heavy or wide enough not to move when pulled, and covered in a coarse texture such as natural sisal.
Many cheap posts fail on stability. If a post tips or wobbles even slightly, your cat will feel it and go back to the sofa, which never moves. Press on the top of the post with one hand; if it shifts, it will not win against the couch.
Location matters as much as design. A perfect post in a quiet corner will lose to the sofa arm in the middle of the room, because scratching is partly about marking a space your cat cares about. That is why a sisal surface right at the sofa arm, such as a scratcher side table, often succeeds where a post placed elsewhere does not.
Bottom line
Getting your cat to use a scratching post is mostly about setup: right place, right height, stable and sisal. Then a week of scent, play, timing and rewards builds the habit. For couch scratchers, a scratcher at the arm is the most direct fix. Get our free Couch-Saver Plan checklist to follow along, and see how to stop your cat scratching the couch for more.
FAQ: how to get cat to use scratching post
Why won't my cat use the scratching post?
It is often in the wrong place, too short, wobbly or the wrong texture. Put a stable sisal post right where your cat already scratches.
How long does it take a cat to use a scratching post?
Many cats start within days with good placement, scent, play and rewards; the habit firms up over a few weeks.
Should I put my cat's paws on the post?
No. Forcing paws can make the post unpleasant. Use a wand toy to encourage natural scratching.
Does catnip help with scratching posts?
Many cats respond to catnip or silvervine, which can draw them to the post. Some cats do not respond.
Where should a scratching post go?
Right at the spot your cat scratches now, such as the front corner of the couch arm.
Give them a better corner, right where they already scratch
Training works best when the right scratching surface sits exactly where the habit happens. The CozeCat Side Table puts natural sisal at the sofa corner and a table top above it, so the fix looks like furniture, not a cat accessory.
Sources
- ASPCA: Destructive scratching
- Indoor Pet Initiative (The Ohio State University): Scratching
- PetMD: How to stop cats from scratching furniture
Related guides
- How to Stop Your Cat Scratching the Couch
- Vertical vs. Horizontal Scratchers
- Cat scratch couch protector table
- Walnut cat scratcher side table
More in Stop Cat Scratching · All cat furniture guides
