Why are cat scratching posts always left unused: placement and material are what matter
What the cat scratches is the location, not the "scratching post" itself.
If a cat scratches its claws on furniture, it means it needs a conspicuous and visible marking spot. If the scratching board is placed in a corner or behind a wall, it will most likely be left unused. The correct approach is to place it where it stretches after sleeping and waking up, usually next to the sofa or next to the cat's bed.
In terms of materials, sisal rope and corrugated paper are the two mainstream materials. Sisal is durable and suitable for vertical scratching, while corrugated paper has a lot of debris but is highly acceptable to cats. If it prefers to grab the armrest of the sofa, it means it likes the horizontal direction, so use a flat scratching board instead.
The guidance method is to place the scratching board next to the position where it has already scratched, use catnip or snacks to make a positive association, and reward it immediately if it catches it correctly. It is forbidden to spray water or shout loudly, these will only make it hide and catch.
A cat should be equipped with at least two scratching posts: one upright and one flat, distributed in two different rooms. Lack of quantity is the number one reason for grabbing furniture, much more common than "character issues".
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