Buying a scratcher is the easy part. Getting a cat to actually use it instead of the couch is where most people get stuck. Cats aren't being stubborn on purpose, they just need the new object to pass a few instinctive checks before it registers as something worth using.
Placement Matters More Than the Scratcher Itself
The single biggest mistake is putting a new scratcher in an unused corner because it looks tidy there. Cats scratch to mark territory near where they already spend time, not in random empty spaces. Watch where your cat naturally stretches, sleeps, or has already been scratching (even if that's your couch), and put the new scratcher there instead.
If your cat has an established habit of scratching a specific piece of furniture, placing the new scratcher directly next to that spot, even temporarily, gives you a much better shot at redirecting the behavior than putting it somewhere your cat has to go out of their way to find.
Scent Is the Fastest Way In
Rubbing loose-leaf catnip onto the base and surface of a new scratcher is one of the more reliable ways to get a cat's attention on it. Not every cat responds to catnip strongly, and kittens under about six months often don't react to it at all, but for cats that do respond, it tends to draw them toward the object within the first day or two.
If catnip doesn't work, try a light coating of a favorite treat or a smear of something like Friskies Party Mix on the base. The goal is just getting your cat to make physical contact with the material once, since after that, the scratching motion itself is usually self-reinforcing.
Let Old Habits Compete, Don't Just Remove Them
If your cat is scratching furniture, resist the urge to block that spot outright before the new scratcher is established. Sudden restriction without an appealing alternative often just shifts the scratching to a different piece of furniture. Instead, let the new scratcher sit right next to the old target for a week or two, and only address the furniture once you see consistent use of the new option.
Double-sided tape or a citrus-scented deterrent on the furniture (not the scratcher) can help nudge the choice in the right direction without confusing your cat about which surface is the desirable one.
Interactive Play Speeds Things Up
Dragging a wand toy across the surface of a new scratcher, especially one your cat already shows interest in, can trigger a scratching response almost by accident. Once a cat's claws make contact with a scratchable texture during play, that sensory feedback often does more to establish the habit than passive presence ever will.
Our full collection of sisal and felt scratchers gives you options if the material itself, not just placement, might be the issue. Some cats have a strong preference for one texture over another, and switching materials is sometimes the actual fix when placement and scent tricks aren't landing.
Multiple Cats Change the Approach
In a multi-cat household, one scratcher usually isn't enough, especially if the cats don't share territory comfortably. A shy or lower-ranking cat may avoid a scratcher that a more dominant cat has claimed, even if it's placed somewhere convenient. If you're introducing a new scratcher into a multi-cat home and it's being ignored, try adding a second one in a completely different area rather than assuming the object itself is the problem.
Give It More Time Than You Expect
Most cats need one to two weeks of consistent exposure before a new scratcher becomes a habit, and older cats or those set in their ways may take longer. If nothing has worked after several weeks, it's worth reconsidering the material or angle rather than assuming your cat simply won't use a scratcher at all. We cover more on choosing the right material in minimalist cat furniture: a practical guide for modern homes.
FAQ
My cat sniffed the new scratcher once and never went back. What now?
One sniff isn't a rejection, it's just information gathering. Reinforce with catnip or a treat placed directly on the scratching surface, and try relocating it closer to where your cat actually spends time.
Should I use catnip every day to keep my cat interested?
Not necessarily. Once your cat is scratching consistently, daily catnip usually isn't needed. Save it for reintroducing interest if use drops off after a while.
Is it normal for a kitten to ignore a scratcher entirely at first?
Yes. Kittens under six months typically don't respond to catnip and may take longer to form the scratching habit in general. Treats, play, and consistent placement tend to work better than scent alone at that age.