A cat that skips the post has one of four problems: it's too short, it wobbles, it's in the wrong spot or the surface is wrong. Fix those first.
In this guide
Fix the height, the wobble, the spot and the surface
Pepper looked at the new post. Pepper walked past it and sharpened her claws on the couch, with eye contact. A cat that ignores the post is voting, and the vote is about one of four things: the post is too short, it wobbles, it's in the wrong spot or the surface feels wrong.
Why cats scratch, and how to redirect them from the sofa, is in our cat scratching behavior guide. This one is the troubleshooting pass for the post you already have.
What you need
A tape measure.
Two minutes to watch where and how your cat scratches.
A few treats or a favorite toy.
Fix 1: Is it tall enough?
Your cat wants a full-body stretch, so the post should be at least as long as your cat stretched out. A short post gets ignored. Our pick, the ANWA 32-inch Tall Cat Scratching Post, gives a cat 32 inches of sisal rope to stretch against. The catch: it's a post, not a tower. If your cat climbs and naps up high, a cat tree like the Gardner Pet 41 in tree fits better.
Your cat wants a full-body stretch, so the post should be at least as long as your cat stretched out.
Fix 2: Does it wobble?
Push the post with one hand. If it rocks, your cat will never trust it, and wobbly posts get rejected. A heavy, reinforced base keeps it still mid-scratch. The ANWA has one. Shaky post? Replace it, don't hope.
Fix 3: Is it in the right spot?
Put it right next to the furniture your cat already scratches.
Choose a main living area. Scratching is how cats mark their territory, so a post in a quiet corner is a post nobody sees.
Add one where your cat sleeps. Stretching and scratching go together.
Once your cat is using it, nudge it a little at a time toward its final spot.
Fix 4: Is the surface right?
Look at how your cat scratches. Up the couch arm means a tall vertical post. Along the carpet means a horizontal scratcher. Sisal and cardboard beat carpet-covered posts. A cat that scratches lying down wants the PAWSFANS Reversible Corrugated Cardboard Cat Scratcher Lounger.
Make it the best spot in the room
Sprinkle catnip on the post, or dangle a toy or treat part way up.
Walk your cat to the post after a nap.
Praise or treat the moment claws go in.
Never punish scratching. It damages trust and doesn't work.
Still scratching the couch?
Keep the post right at the scratch spot, then use double-sided tape or a cover on the couch corner while the habit changes. More scratchers around the house means fewer couch arms. See our scratching and climbing picks. Bored cats scratch more, too: a daily play session helps, and the wand play routine is a good start.
Sudden changes in scratching, overgrooming, or a cat who seems stressed or unwell are vet questions, not post questions.
FAQ
Which material do cats prefer?
Sisal rope and cardboard win. Skip carpet-covered posts.
Vertical or horizontal?
Match the scratch. Up the couch arm means vertical. Along the carpet means horizontal. Can't tell? Watch for two minutes.
How long until my cat uses the new post?
As soon as the spot, height and wobble are right, so fix those first. Put it by the old scratch spot and add catnip and a treat. Still ignored? Check height and wobble again.
