How do you get a cat to use a scratching pad?

DH spent a lot of money on those new as seen on tv cat scratching pads that are supposed to file their nails when they scratch. His mom's cats love them.

Well they won't scratch them and are now using my really expensive rug to scratch on!!

We sprinkled them with catnip, and they will stand on them. Esp to play w/the toy that came with it. We've held them on it to show them... doesn't work.

I don't want DH's money to go to waste and I don't want my carpet ruined!!! How do we get them to use them as intended?

Re: How do you get a cat to use a scratching pad?

i adopted my cat when he was 7 years old so he was already using the scratching pads

however, i will reccommend this:



the ball lights up and spins around the circle... miller LOVES this! and the middle is a scratch pad

i would say try sprinkling cat nip, but sounds like you already did that... you can safeguard your rugs so your cat cant scratch them in the mean time

good luck!

Message edited 5/26/2010 8:57:29 AM.

Re: How do you get a cat to use a scratching pad?

Are your scratching pads vertical or horizontal? Also make sure it is a good length/height- cats don't like something to short as they can't really stretch fully.

I think I got lucky in the scratching department. I do a firm no or a loud noise or just get up- they like the couches- and that seems to work. They know not to do it. Yes, they do scratch on them occasionally, but they usually use the scratching post.

When they use the scratching post I give lots of pets and say good girl/boy. They love it! So now they associate going to the post with getting pet. They greet me this way as well. I started this when I first got them.

Again, I think I got really lucky in this department.

Re: How do you get a cat to use a scratching pad?

I sprinkle or spray cat nip on it.
They love it!!

Re: How do you get a cat to use a scratching pad?

Your cat may just not like that type of scratcher. You may have to buy other materials and see which they like. For example my cat looooves the cardboard type scratchers, but will never use a sisal scratcher or the carpets that hang from a door knob.

When you figure out the scratcher they like you'll have to pick him/her up when they are scratching your rug and place him/her on the scratcher. It'll take a while, buy they'll start associating the scratcher as a OK place to scratch.

good luck!

also, I read some reviews on the scratcher that trims nails and some said that it wasn't too safe. some cats got there crawls stuck and when they were pulling they ripped out a nail.

Message edited 5/26/2010 11:29:37 AM.

Re: How do you get a cat to use a scratching pad?

My cat is TERRIFIC with using the scratch pad.

We trained him that if he used it, he would get a treat. So we started out by sitting him on it, moving his paws in a scratching motion, and then I'd give him the treat. (He loves those Temptations treats in the little foil bags).

We did that same routine for a few days to a week.

It'll work--you just have to make sure that you catch him using it, and reinforce the behavior in a timely manner.

It's a lot of work, but TOTALLY worth the effort. My cat has only once tried to scratch our couch, he learned pretty quickly that that's not tolerated.

We actually need to get him a new cat tower because the carpeting is so worn that he doesn't have much to grip onto anymore!

Good luck!

Re: How do you get a cat to use a scratching pad?

did your cat scratch a post before?

we demonstrated it to our little guy because I don't think he really understood it. We got down on all 4's and showed him what to do. We also sprayed it with catnip and moved his claws on it so he could see what to do.

He uses it every day now.

And yes, I know that i am a crazy cat person