Why Your Cat Won’t Use the Scratching Post

[@JacksonGalaxy]

🐈Get your frisky feline pouncing and jumping after this soaring feather toy. Air Prey Telescoping Wand 👉shop.jacksongalaxy.com/products/air-prey-telescoping-wand

[@aslanameret]

We got this and it’s Mochi’s favorite toy!

[@melodybeitzel5378]

Why doesn’t my cat play with her toys ?

[@lyndahammond8883]

Maria, please stop calling your cat it. He or she is not a chair or a TV or a car. He or she is a being. Please, identify your kitty as a gender. It can bring you closer as the word, "jt" implies a "thing," not a "being."

[@user-yc5fr8zu1m]

@@lyndahammond8883 do you think the animals care? you use “it” to describe an animal.

[@TheAmtwhite]

I’m in Canada. Why can’t I order from your website? :(

[@britfrie]

Hey! It's ME! Thank you so much for responding to my video! I will definitely implement your suggestions! I have other questions about our favorite boy Ron and will submit another video as soon as I can catch him in the act. hahaha! Also, if you like my cat scratch items in the hall way I will hook you up with the link! Thank you so much again! I am so excited Ron and Ginny are now cat famous! hahaha!

[@Calkookiekat]

Couldn't help but notice your Shooky pillow hehe 💜

[@ronweasley496]

Hii, where did you send him the video? I have some aggressive behavior I don’t know how to fix :(

[@xxzenaiyah]

@@ronweasley496 he has the link in the bio of this vid!

[@ronweasley496]

@@xxzenaiyah thank you!

[@shenagrapa641]

@@Calkookiekat same haha i was like "oh hey an Army" lol

[@mscrabson]

Thankfully my cat isn’t picky and he’ll claw anything: scratch posts I made for him, my chairs, my sofa, my knees...

[@TheALLYISLAME]

😂😂😂

[@flameepidemic4839]

Saaaameee excepyt he prefers the sofa and only sometimes uses his scratching post

[@danielholloway8030]

Ikr

[@sammieculpepper1394]

Yesss

[@merazmahmud5948]

i feel ya 🥲

[@tineputzeys]

This is why I love these so much more than the "my cat from hell" videos. Usually, those people are clueless and it's just about basics. The youtube crowd has clearly done their homework and we get to see advanced cat stuff. Keep doing these! :D

[@flaminflamango5900]

I've learned so much watching these videos, and I'm not even a cat owner (yet!)

[@21_f_aus]

I watch both these and my cat from hell these videos you for sure learn more and get more ideas though...

[@limiv5272]

It's really annoying that nearly all the people picked to participate in that show were just clueless idiots who couldn't be bothered to look up basic information on their own. They should've had a more even mix of people needing basic cat knowledge and people having trouble despite already knowing the basics or beyond

[@cassaleelee]

The premise of the show was that cats are evil, then Jackson steps in to show them "No, they are not, you are just not understanding their needs." I myself have never seen such intensely uncomfortable cats! But it was ultimately about defending cats nature and educating their humans, so you need those who need education.

[@tineputzeys]

@@cassaleelee Of course. And we can assume that people in general, just watching TV for entertainment haven't been steeped in hours and hours of Jackson telling us to play with our cats (and other basic stuff). The content of my cat from hell is perfect for its intended audience. I just like to go a step further in my understanding of cats.

[@dixoncider5046]

My cat was declawed (by a previous owner 🤬), and he still uses his scratching post. He likes to rub his toe beans on the top of the post.

[@loobylouboti]

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww 😭 But 😂 Bless his heart! 😍

[@tararoast]

Poor baby 💔 how selfish & cruel the previous owner was.

[@dixoncider5046]

@@tararoast yeah. It was an older women who had eye surgery and needed to get rid of him because he has long hair. Hes a big orange Maine coon and I got him for free. Hes spoiled and gets lots of attention, especially during the pandemic. He uses his mouth alot to play, so I don't have kids or non-cat people around him. I've kicked out 2 roommates so far who were kinda mean to him, even when I was around. He's a good boi

[@redgreen6436]

He uses his mouth alot to play, what does that mean?Biting?

[@dixoncider5046]

@@redgreen6436 to bite and hold or grab things. When I first got him he was a bit more aggressive, but after playing with him lots he's pretty affectionate towards me. He has his moments. Definitely not a cat for an old lady. She was like 75 or so

[@rapture2day]

The best cat scratcher is the heavy duty WELCOME mats. (Weight about 5 pounds and not great for bare feet, coconut husky-type.) I put one near my new leather-ish futon and 6 months later, no scratches! They step on the mat and can't resist it. I feel like I won the lottery and put one in every room.

[@watchensee]

Wow I'll have to remember the rough welcome mats as cat scratching equipment, if I ever get a cat.

[@divitiae]

Your comment is old, but thank you! My cat has no interest in different texture scratching posts/alternatives, but she immediately took to the welcome mat. Might take awhile to stop going for the couch, but at least now we have an alternative she likes!

[@spiralflash6169]

My cat would always scratch the carpet, so I bought her a cat tree with sisel on the post/leg which she ignored. Then I bought her some horizontal scratchers, flat and curved ones, which I placed over her favorite parts of the carpet. She found other areas of carpet to scratch instead, while I tripped over the scratchers every day. She often would scratch the carpet first thing in the morning, so I slept next to my phone so I could "catch" her with a video to consult The Cat Daddy. Suddenly she started using the sisel post and loves it so much now she stopped scratching the carpet, to my delight. So Ms. Pewter missed being a movie star because she's such a smart girl, but she is very grateful to Jackson for her new wet food diet, and the daily play sessions. Jury is still out on the harness. Meow.

[@Vidchemy]

Amazing how cats will change their behavior when they see the phone cam is on lol

[@xenonsan3110]

My cat will also sort of do this too but only if we give him too much food he can eat in one sitting. Apparently cats will try to "bury" food they haven't eaten. So whenever he stops eating we'll pick it up and put it in the fridge at take it out a bit later

[@j.y.3604]

They leave their scent when they scratch so if they scratch on your rug you need to spray some rug cleaner on it and put a cat scratcher over that spot. You have to provide multiple cat scratchers to throughout the house not just in one room

[@xladyfayre]

Mine escaped the harness after being in it for 2 minutes. Well, that went out the window. I was hoping that I could walk her, but nope.

[@jamootoo5200]

I also have a cheap rug, like a 4'x5' I got from Wlmt for like $20 in the dorm & 'furniture'/ vacuum section (all rolled up sticking out of a huge box), that I put down in the carpeted room - under & in front of the 2 cat trees sitting in front of the window (an extra bedroom thats now officially, the cat's room). They have plenty of tree scratchers in there that they totally destroy & only sometimes are in the mood to scratch only that remnant carpet... never the regular carpet around it. It's kind if like a thinner edge bound indoor/outdoor carpet that they can more easily catch their claws on. They seem to prefer it - which I dont care bc it was so cheap/ reason I bought it... and NEVER touch the regular wall to wall carpet anywhere else in the house... I can always throw it out/ replace with another that won't break the bank too. Just an idea - that might have something to it...

[@Nikki0417]

I had to laugh when she said "talk to you later," because that's 100% something I would do.

[@jesslikescoffee24]

One of my cat’s favorite scratching spots is an old rug rolled up. We got a new rug, rolled up the old one, and left it just sitting there for a bit before taking it out. She hopped right on to scratch it, we weren’t bothered because it wasn’t getting used, and now she loves it so much that we’ve just kept it for her 😅 It’s ugly, but she’s spoiled.

[@DivaPWI]

We have an old, busted up, leather office chair. It is the most hideous thing! But all four of my babies LOVE this stupid chair. So it has been in my home office for 4 years. It's "their" chair. The bonus for me is that I have had another chair for six months; one of those awesome gaming car-seat style chairs, and none of them scratch at it. They stick to their chair. My hub and I always spoil our babies even if their style choices are questionable.

[@fingerlickingoooood]

that sounds very ugly... kudos to you guys. lucky cat lol

[@fingerlickingoooood]

@@DivaPWI i love this comment lol

[@manxie1897]

Whenever I introduce a new post, I always scratch it first to entice my cats to scratch at it and understand that this is where they're supposed to scratch. I didn't know I was 'marking' it, which would make them want to mark it too LOL

[@being47]

i tried this with my cat but she didn't started using it. infact she doesn't scratch anywhere , at least in front of me . she is around 2+ months old now.

[@IloveOtherPplsMsry]

No wonder my cat keeps going for the carpet, he's a horizontal scratcher.

[@karacole2304]

Right? Makes so much sense.

[@ShawnFumo]

Thankfully a friend had recommended one of the wavy horz cardboard ones before we even adopted our cat. At first she went for the carpet (is a very low tough type carpet) but very soon after she switched over to the scratcher and just uses that. Has ignored the vertical posts we got, but that's fine...

[@Alien--Bunny]

My cat will scratch both vertical and horizontal. It depends on the texture of the post and if it's stable. He has a huge one, but because he dislikes the texture, he just sits on it.

[@eileenlester4342]

I sprinkle a little catnip on the post areas and our cat's love it.

[@laurelgirard8475]

If she put an Afghan on the couch, the cats wouldn’t like it. They hate to get their claws caught in it.

[@britfrie]

I have tried this, they don't really care for catnip..

[@eileenlester4342]

@@britfrie 😿

[@staciecarrel4492]

Depending on their age (they look little), they might be a bit too young. Some cats don’t become catnip responsive until adulthood. Though many cats are not responsive at all. Just if they’re young don’t count out the catnip just yet.

[@kellyngrey4950]

My cat tends to be a horizontal scratcher too. Something I've found that works is one of those flat cardboard scratchers - I tend to pick it up and move it around often for sweeping/cleaning. When I'm done, I'll toss it out somewhere on the floor. As soon as it hits the ground my boy goes for it. I think for him, he likes the novelty of "reclaiming" it every time I throw it down. (He also loves to scratch the entry rug. I don't bother correcting him because it's cheap and I can replace it, and I'm happy he's not scratching elsewhere!)

[@j.y.3604]

You need multiple cat scratchers both horizontal and vertical in different rooms in your house you can't buy one cat scratcher and put it in the living room because if your cat wakes up in the bedroom the first thing he's going to want to do is scratch it's a natural instinct keep multiple scratchers around your house they're not expensive go to Ross Dress for Less and they always have cat scratchers there for three or four dollars by a few of them and just toss them around the house and your cat will use them

[@marys7251]

@@j.y.3604 Thanks for the Ross tip!😊

[@fingerlickingoooood]

love this comment lol

[@ngndnd]

i hate those flat cardboard scratchers they move too much. Even my cat hates them

[@sofastuffing]

@iviknsbcbdjs you could try using blu-tack or putty to keep them stuck to the floor

[@Vessenkestrel]

We moved the scratching post that our first cat rejected into the room our new cat likes to hang put in. Now the first cat suddenly loves it 😝

[@kylie7780]

I had a scratching post in the kitchen for a year and my cat didn't touch it. We moved it 2 ft. over and she suddenly loves it.

[@loobylouboti]

@@kylie7780 loooool 😂

[@cynthiasstylemua9822]

We did the same thing, our cats didn't like the scatcher at first. We moved it across the room and they began using it. Then we moved it back to where it was before. It's all good now. Luckily, they didn't scratch our couch. Since we bought our cats their own beds and put them on the floor our cats rarely jump and lay on the couch. Only when they really want to be pet and snuggle will they come on the couch. Otherwise, each has its own bed and loves having its own space.

[@semperfi818]

Moving any kitteh furniture can have surprising results -- and here one also sees the way one kitteh will suddenly look at an ignored item in a new way when it seems to have been given to another kitteh. 😉😸🐱

[@tromedl]

@@kylie7780 LOL I did the same. Can't never tell with the cats.

[@tararoast]

That explains why my cats will not use flat scratching products, thanks Jackson.

[@TmHasuSnow]

Thank you so much for these videos. Well I am 13 and can’t have a cat until I move out, yet I watch these 🤣 but anyway I want to be super prepared for one day when I get a cat, and your videos are gonna make me the best cat mom ever 🥰

[@abby-me17016]

Same, just i’m not 13.

[@RadiantSharaShaymin]

That's so responsible... wow! Keep being cool!

[@fingerlickingoooood]

i feel for you kid. i've wanted a cat since the fourth grade, and i was never allowed. i'm moving out this month, i'm 22 now. it's a long wait. try to beg your parents. if it doesn't work... try to forget about it for now. maybe beg for a hamster or something small. just make sure you take good care of it. you're going to be a great cat mom some day.

[@RadiantSharaShaymin]

@@fingerlickingoooood Just to say, hamsters need their cage and *everything* in it well-cleaned at least once a week - I (personally) wouldn't say they're small (and if the wheel is squeaky, you'll hear it at 2 am) Not trying to start anything, but just giving a fair warning. The cage you keep them in could very well make it a pain, please be careful!

[@meowdventure]

Jackson, took your advice looooong time ago...Animal Planet days and it's been working for us since. You have saved us from frustrations over scratching! 🙏🙏Yes, not all cats are the same when it comes to scratching, Maxie is a vertical scratcher.

[@dragonofmordor]

Jackson, I just want to thank you for all the advice you give us. I just recently moved a couple of weeks ago, and I was so worried my Joanna was going to get sick because she's a cat who reacts to change often by getting sick. But I followed all your advice for setting up her base camp in my bedroom with all her things, using holistic wall plugins that seem to help her stress levels, making sure the new house smelled like both of us, keeping her litter box smelling like her, and then slowly allowing her to explore the new house as she became ready. And she's done amazingly well. She actually loves the new house, she's been exploring all the counters, shelves, and other high spaces and spending hours in the new windows bird-watching. And I've seen barely any signs of stress after the first couple of days. Your advice on cats always works wonders with my girl.

[@catitude4]

I've had cats all my life and here is what I found out. Everything they seem to make for cats is too small, from scratch posts to litter boxes. Chewy sells a large cat scratch post that they can actually climb. My cats use these. As for your sofa, get some large comforters and cover the couch or chair, they only like to scratch solid surfaces. For litter boxes, I get those large storage boxes with covers, cut a hole in the side, now they have plenty of room. They like that better. Cat trees the same way, they are all too small. I did find larger ones at a pet store, but that was a long time ago. I still have them. It's a pet peeve of mine, everything is too small.

[@inebyine]

I agree. I am a tall human and my rescue cat is a very big boy, so we can totally relate! I've been looking for ages for a scratching mat (he's a horizontal scratcher as well) that's actually spacious enough. In the end I just got him some large wood panels to scratch on and he loves it.

[@SPNSO-js4hx]

I totally agree!

[@snixw125]

Oh man, it just clicked! I now know why my cat scratches the only upholstered chair. She wants something high up so she can stretch. Awesome 👍 thanks for the video.

[@Jaygerix]

jackson, thank you for everything man! I recently adopted a "wallflower" cat in a sense from the SPCA, he was very shy, shaky and timid. But hes come out his shell a lot the past couple days, had him for about 4 days now, Your videos have helped me so much, especially covering up any places he could go hide behind, cucoon > caving! Going to buy some horozontial scratchers today to stop him scratching at my dining table seats!

[@pamelacox540]

We have kitties that adore horizontal cardboard scratchers and sturdy vertical sisal posts. We have to first turn then replace the horizontal cardboard scratchers when they’re “worn out”. They LOVE when the cardboard is new❤️

[@janine7418]

My cat does both. His horizontal scratcher is going bald in spots. He also loves to scratch the corner of my bed where the sheet is exposed. I have decided to embrace his Love and buy inexpensive sheets. Oh, and I LOVE your videos! I bing watch on lazy mornings.

[@mirandawade3362]

Hi Jackson! New here. I'm not a cat person but a feral follow me in the door one day and she would't leave. I'm allergic so we kept the cat and got another cat so she could have a friend. Someone at PetCo told me to watch your videos. I have my work cut out for me. Thank you for all you do to educate us on how kitties work and how we can best be of service to them.

[@kami_kauai]

Brittany if you’re reading: I had the EXACT same problem as you, and attempted the same solutions you did. I finally managed to solve it by spraying citrus sent on my couch. I mixed citrus essential oils with vodka and sprayed the spots on the couch every morning and evening for several weeks. You have to spray pretty close to the fabric so that you don’t make the whole room smell uninviting to your cats. But they won’t like the smell of your couch now and gradually learn not to stretch/scratch on it. It takes weeks of religious spraying but it really works. My cat will sit on the couch but not scratch it now :)

[@senocracy]

hi!! i keep reading that citrus essential were toxic to cats, is this really safe to try? would love a tactic that finally works but i don’t want to harm her.

[@renda4806]

Essential oils are toxic for cats

[@kaylastarr7863]

@@senocracy i don't think my cat is worth testing it out tbh i suspect a past cat of mine passed that way before this was well known, a roommate loved those diffuser things. I don't recommend it.

[@kami_kauai]

@@renda4806 yeah that’s why I don’t spray my cat with them, just the couch :P

[@kami_kauai]

@@kaylastarr7863 I did say I spray really close to the couch. Of course no one should use a diffuser 🙄

[@bojigirl5672]

Now I know one of my cats is a horizontal scratcher. Thanks! I covered my couch seats with table pad cloths. Flannel-like side on the cushion and vinyl side up. The cat would sometimes lay on it but grew discouraged about scratching it. It’s nice because the pad can be wrapped around the seat so they can’t get to the cushion.

[@janinachen9817]

Okay, I usually never ever comment anywhere...but I just gotta tell you that you, Mr. Galaxy, are a saviour! I grew up raising cats and I never struggled with them. However, a few weeks ago I got a new kitten and she drove me nuts! Scratching my furniture, scratching my carpets, basically scratching everything she wasn't supposed to and I always wondered why. She had two scratching towers as a scratching alternative next to the couch and in a window...but no matter how many No's and how many alternatives...my couch and my carpets were always victims to her little murder mittens. It got to the point that my couch consisted of over 50% tape. After this video I finally understood! She's a horizontal scratcher!! I ran to the store and bought a bunch of horizontal scratching alternatives and she finally stops scratching my couch! You are a genius! I can finally cater to her needs and she did not only stop scratching my couch, she's also much more relaxed and started seaottering!

[@ataylorsews]

I am so glad I found your video!!! I have had a new kitten for 3 weeks now and felt bad punishing her for scratching and biting. It just didn't make sense and wasn't working. I was starting to think it wasn't going to work out. I finally had the bright idea to look on KZbin. THANK YOU EVER SO MUCH for sharing your knowledge. We will have a peaceful household now!

[@basscheutjens6612]

One of my cats is also a horizontal scratcher. She used to always scratch one part of a rug and whatever I tried to put on it, she would move it and scratch the rug. Then I accidentally stumbled onto a horizontal scratcher in the store (didn't know that existed), bought one and put it on the rug where she would normally scratch. She immediately started using it and when I moved it off the rug after a few days she kept using the scratcher and stopped using the rug. Jackson, thanks for all your lessons, you helped me a lot to just look at my cats and understand them and become a better cat guardian.

[@lesliedaubert4250]

My kitty has a horizontal scratcher , and a wavy horizontal one. He rubs the wavy one, but scratches the carpet instead. When I got the first cardboard one he loved it. But now it's the carpet.

[@TheCatWrangler]

It sounds to me like he has gotten bored of his scratchers and where they are in the house. What I would recommend is getting some new horizontal and vertical scratchers. Or literally just the cardboard refills (the cheep kind works well) and temporarily putting them all over the carpet especially in the spots where the kitty is scratching. Most cats prefer cardboard to carpet. It sounds like he is craving novelty when it comes to scratching. You can avoid him going back to the carpet by changing up the scratcher placement from time to time and getting new ones every couple of years. Moving scratchers to important places for him can work well too. hope that helps a little :)

[@tiffariff]

Some cats like the texture of fabric or sometimes even rubber. It’s not always the direction but the texture which is much harder to correct

[@sawah765]

if he wants a carpet texture u could get door mats or carpet patches and use catnip to make it more interesting than the actual carpet

[@staciecarrel4492]

After awhile scratchers get too shredded to serve their purpose. It may be time for refills or entirely new ones (depending on the type of scratcher). Even sisal scratching posts get worn out after awhile (longer than cardboard ones).

[@tiffariff]

@@staciecarrel4492 yeah we have ones that are refillable :)

[@csauders7047]

I love your videos and have been watching you for years. My sweet Bella 🐈‍⬛ passed about a month ago from Lymphoma 💔😿 I now have two new kittens and feel like I’m learning all over again. Thank you for your wisdom and knowledge 💓

[@toriless]

As soon as she said "I don't own this couch" I thought "you do now".

[@DeekJohnson]

Build your own...buy a foot or 2 of that black runner carpet that comes off a roll at Home Depot ($5 ft). It has a rubber backing and folds easily around a 2 x 4... and staple. cats love it.

[@TheCatWrangler]

What worked for me is... 1. Cover the couch with a large thick blanket to protect the couch. Wash and replace the blanket every few weeks. Super easy! 2. OR Use double sided sticky tape for just a couple weeks. --> you dont need to cover the whole couch.... just put a few strips in the main areas. You only need to leave it there long enough so they learn that is not fun to scratch there. once they move to the appropriate scratchers, you can slowly take the tape off.

[@Jen_nifer99]

I’m so happy that my cat uses the cat tree/scratchpost I bought her ☺️ I just quickly carried her to the cat tree every time I saw her wanting to scratch the couch. And it worked! My cat is definitely a vertical scratcher. So she likes sisal posts

[@ellenfitzgerald3870]

Such a timely video. My baby is good in so many ways but LOVES to scratch my bamboo/rattan nightstand, even with her scratching post right next to it. The material is so close to the type of material on the scratching post - now I get it.

[@ohiko9594]

Our perfect scratch surface is an ugly old soviet chair from my grandmom's house. We didn't care much about it, because it was ugly and we didn't use it for years. Our kitty Basia absolutely loves it, she turned into a masterpiece through the years, but it's very sturdy and it has both horizontal and vertical surface, so she's 100% content. She never touches the rug or the couch nearby.

[@jewelzgewelz]

OMG THANK YOU JACKSON!!! I bought an expensive cat scratching post and was heartbroken that my cat Jedster hadn’t touched it for the last two weeks. I tried it by his cat tree, and moved it by my couch. I used catnip and no luck. Watched your video, disassembled the base of the vertical scratching post, laid it horizontally on a rug and almost instantly he was scratching it! Lol. I had no idea there were different kinds of scratching that cats prefer. Mind blown. Thank you!!! I was really starting to regret my purchase and thinking of donating it. Now that I’ve experienced amazing results from your video I’m going to see what you have posted about wet food. My cat won’t eat it, I’ve tried almost every brand and style. He will only lick it a little and then walk away, lol. Can’t wait to see what I’m missing.

[@AnnPhilipp]

hehe, you can never go wrong with a Monty Python reference...

[@alalonso89]

I had this problem with my cat scratching the arm rest. I just threw a cheap soft fleece blanket on it and now she’s not interested in scratching it anymore. I don’t mind her sleeping on the couch, I did mind the scratching though :D

[@heatherbryant4197]

My cat loves that fleece material that looks like lambs wool ("sherpa"). He also loves the textile suitcases are made out of though lol (both to sleep on, not scratch) The latter seemed a bit odd to me. Sometimes you just gotta find the right texture.

[@okashi10]

Same for me! I put a nice soft fleece blanket over by couch cushions and my little dude just leaves them alone now.

[@romalovi98]

We got a flat cardboard scratcher for my cat (I noticed he would sit and scratch on cardboard boxes we temporarily had laying around) and at first he just ignored it. Then I showed him a video of a cat using the same kind (he likes watching other cat videos and I was curious how he would react) and put a few treats on the scratcher. The next day he started using it regularly 🤷‍♀️

[@littlemouse9900]

Sounds like her cat are wanting a flat floor scratcher. She has a lot of curved and towers. My cat preferred the 100% flat cardboard based one. I sprinkled tons of catnip on it and he went bonkers and scratched up the whole thing now I just sprinkle catnip every few months!

[@GaryLiseo]

Any advice for encouraging scratching for cats? I adopted my cat almost 3 months ago and she seems beyond happy living with me. I've tried getting her scratchers, but she did not take to them (one hanging from a doorknob and the other a small fabric tower/post). She doesn't have any problems scratching furniture and is content to spend any time she can cuddled up with me purring, like right now, but doesn't seem to like "normal" cat things (toys, scratching, catnip, cardboard boxes, etc.) If it helps, she is also about 8 years old and also does not care for what the humane society gave me she had there (a bed and a few toys).

[@Fifi_Is_My_Name-O]

My cats love the "rug type" mats for scratching most of the time although they do like to hang out in the kitty condo cat trees by the window. What I have always done when I get any sort of "scratching" item is rub it down well with a good quality cat nip, I rub the cat nip between my hands, and then rub it onto the item, all over it and sprinkle a little bit on it too. This seems to keep them scratching in all the right places the majority of the time. I "reapply" the cat nip in the same way every so often.

[@darkessraven]

Rachel and Jun have four cats which all have different preferences for scratches. Their first cat likes vertical walls so they got a scratch board wall for it. Two cats they picked up from the streets like horizontal so there’s a a scratch board in the shape of a resting bed. Finally, the last cat likes digging into carpet with its claws so they recently got a play rug.

[@leeanneb7178]

My cat prefers the sisal post. I am glad we tried various textures before she indicated her preference. Thank you for this video.

[@Drab_Mode]

I successfully am teaching my kitty to scratch a post and not a couch, it’s hard but giving them attention when they do the good scratch does help a lot. I wish mine were horizontal scratchers, would help out a lot.

[@CyborgWolf]

It took 3 years for my cat to use hers. It was a rectangular one we hanged on the wall near the floor. Never even considered it. One day I took it off for some reason & left it on the floor because I forgot to put it back up. She went nut on it. Now she uses a scratch post multiple time a day, especially when she's excited and ready to play.

[@loobylouboti]

Isn't it funny that whatever we think our cats will love, and put so much thought into it for them, they have their own ideas about how *exactly* they want it. Bless them. Be so much easier if they could just say, "Here human, I don't dig that. Put it over there *points*" 😂

[@CyborgWolf]

@@loobylouboti True lol. Now I try different things with her. I give her one thing & another to see what she likes or not. Then I get rid of what she doesn't like or care & keep the "good thing" It make both our lives easier XD

[@loobylouboti]

@@CyborgWolf Good thinking. Saves having loads of crap lying around too! 😂

[@texasskygirl7890]

Jackson, I took.your advice years ago. I put a scratching post ( I rubbed some catnip on them) and put them by my furniture. My cat loves them.

[@johnbrandolini2915]

What people don't understand is the sisal or rug covered scratching posts aren't natural alternatives to a cats imperative to scratch. They need to scratch to remove the outer layer of keratin on their nails and the sisal and rug posts don't do a good enough job of removing that layer. Sort of like using a roll of paper towels to whet a razor. Over the decades of parenting cats we have found that the corrugated cardboard scratchies are irresistible to cats as they emulate tree bark. The trick is to put the scratchie in a location that your furball likes to frequent. We have absolutely no problem with destruction of furniture using these cardboard scratchies. They are cheap and last for months in a one cat household. The only drawback is the debris left by kitteh scratching. 😺

[@kookamunga2458]

I did not need to buy any scratch posts . I strapped a hunk of 2×4 lumber about 3 foot in length to the leg of a wicker chair in my living room in the exact same spot where cat likes to scratch and in the other room where he likes to scratch I tied a peice of plywood measuring 3 foot by 4 foot also standing upright . My cat uses them all the time . I also have a picture painted on one of the scratch posts so it wouldn't clash with the decor and the paint that I used on the picture is non toxic . Oh sometimes it's better to have a peice of old wooden furniture for the cat to scratch .

[@rosec.9695]

My cats always scratch my bed frame but refuse to use the scratching post, now I know why 😅 thanks

[@JacksonGalaxy]

You’re welcome 😊

[@lizziecatherine7048]

I LITERALLY got a kitten today and he wasn't going near his post. I didn't think it was an issue but if it continued I would. Glad I have this video to help me if that's the case.

[@gabyv2708]

He may not know what it is for. When I first introduced it to my cats, they didn't know what to do with it. So I put some food on top of it and played with them guiding them towards the food. They had to climb to get the food and since then, they have loved it to the point I need to replace the rope 😂

[@AccountingNightmare]

I really like these kinds of videos! Seeing how people have actually implemented your advice in their living spaces is really helpful to think about how I can improve my own, and the problem solving aspect of it is really interesting and educational!

[@segasega8]

The use of a citrus scent like a perfume would "shoo" them away, for sure!! And use something like catnip spray on the climbing posts! 😽😽

[@melissabarrett9750]

I made the mistake, many years ago of buying one of the scratching posts with the rope wrapped around the pole. My sweet indoors cat hated how rough it was on his paw pads and refused to use it. I don't understand anyone making those ones. Put carpet around the post instead and the cat will be so grateful.

[@gromit3556]

Jackson, thanks for this video, it has helped immensely with my new rescue cat. Who knew that there were horizontal scratchers! This one is, won't use the cat tree, my previous Bengal of 16 years always the cat tree. Put sticky paws on the items he isnt meant to scratch and placed the horizontal scratcher next to it... whola... scratching on the horizontal scratcher! thankyou thankyou thankyou.

[@ki2348]

3:24 hey, my cats have that exact cat tree! mouse and all, just a different color. nice!

[@lovewashington8173]

This was very helpful, like seriously helpful. You gave me ideas that other KZbinrs did not. I usually don't share videos on my FB unless there funny, but yours is very informational!!!! Thank you!!!❤

[@didididi4613]

I have used Glad Press n Seal wrapped around my couch and other surfaces to make it unpleasant for my cats to scratch. It works well and sticks without leaving residue.

[@KingArtexerxes]

At one time I had a vinyl recliner used to sit in. Had to give it away after a year. Too scratched up. Switched to cloth Lazy-Boy couch and no more problems there. Then I installed a rather expensive sound system with speakers either hanging on walls or installed in the wall. But the subwoofer is a big box with an inviting screen on the front. So from day 1, there’s a large scratching post beside it that I’ve replaced a couple of times. It gets a lot of use and the bass speaker after many years never got scratched.

[@cora5534]

that was such a good tip, jesus, I did it and it WORKED, two years on the struggle and it was juat that they wanted somethin horizontal 😫💕

[@ThKiwi]

My kitty was always happy to scratch horizontal scratchers, then we were gifted a triangular one and she was SO HAPPY. She loves that thing. Now we have them all over.

[@SaturdaySportsman]

Kyo likes to have a good, long stretch when he scratches. His old posts were too short then I found an almost 4 ft tall pillar-like scratcher and he just loves it. It also has a flat top so he jumps up there and sits like a little gargoyle.

[@phoenix9802]

I ended up setting a horizontal scratcher on a chair my cat Piper LOVED to scratch and laid a wrap under it, now she’s adjusting to using the scratcher but she still enjoys hanging out in her cat tree, I need to find more scratchers for her that she’ll use because I believe she’s a horizontal scratcher.

[@tazyou11]

I learned one thing from you Jackson that our cats scratching on the couch was telling me to put a scratching post in front of the couch and watch what happens. That worked like a charm. Now they use the scratching post.

[@charlesmoore1762]

If Mr. Ron won't stop scratching the couch, I'll adopt him! and he can scratch anyplace he wishes! What a charmer!! Seriously, though, good question and I appreciate the good ideas. My three kittens have the run of the house, but I have had to create a few "cat-free zones!" after out-of-control rambunction!

[@ricileigh88]

You're videos are so helpful. I was watching for years before I adopted my cats.

[@zyssica]

Oh wow, so much learned. I bought one for my cat yesterday, haven’t been able to afford a cat tree before, they’re so expensive where I live. I knew she was a vertical scratcher so it should work, she’s afraid of it for now, but wanted to know what would make it more comfortable, didn’t think about putting it next to the couch. Will try this, is right next to the window, she likes the window, so we’ll see. I need her to stop scratching my chairs!!! 🙈😅

[@IzzyOnTheMove]

I have a huge chunky log of real maple in the living-room - the best thing for a cat to scratch on. If you have that around, they'll never scratch something else again. It makes their claws sharp, which is another reason why they scratch on furniture. My Merri scratches it in the morning and before he wants to play. ❤

[@meowdventure]

Hi Jackson, your smurgling advice caught Maxie's attention...she was listening! Where can I post this for you to see? 😁😁😺😺😁😁

[@scrapperify]

It’s in the episode description (will need to expand it to see)

[@DaisyMilk]

Honestly? My cat with pica loves the wand!! It lasted longer than any string toy I’ve have before!! Once she finally “separated” the string from the clip I just used a metal fishing lead and tied the string on to it… still works amazing!! And hasn’t been chewed through yet!!

[@trinareyes3379]

Hi Jackson!, Thank you for sharing this video! Helped me a lot, cause my cat is scratching our couch as well. Now i know what to do! Your videos are beneficial in understanding cat behavior! Thanks again!

[@kaylastarr7863]

Thank you Britney for asking this i am literally rn bating my cat off the couch when she has a scratcher and several other options too.. excited for the answer 🙌

[@kaylastarr7863]

Hmmm ok my cat likes to do this hilarious way of scratching.. she lays down and reaches up. Wonder what style she would prefer.

[@trombonegirlie23]

The air prey wand is seriously the best cat toy available.

[@amandavanbaelen6825]

When my Orion kitty would scratch his scratcher I would reinforce his good behavior with a treat also the cat nip on it helped. Lol! Now he's a 13 yr old man that still uses his scratcher and a lot of times for the loaf. I also must say even for a long time cat owner. I still learn stuff from your videos and then sometimes I just like to watch them. Thank you for all that you do. Amanda

[@waltersobchak7275]

Jackson gained weight looking good. I still can’t let go though. 27 years daily. Once in the morning that’s all. I’m afraid of getting obese as it runs in my family. I feel it has saved my life honestly

[@magdabak5797]

Of course we are watching all the videos. They literally safe my life.

[@sophisticatedwrat]

I found that finding the right texture is key. My cat likes anything rubbery and grippy like fake leather or rubber. We have two items like this in our house and they're all scratched up now but I feel like buying some kind of fake leather thing and wrapping it around something would be helpful. Or maybe buying a mini leather couch for my cat lol. She's not around anymore but I will make sure to do this with our other cat.

[@seli7473]

I'm late to the party, but I want to add my comment. I adopted litter mates/bonded pair. They loved scratching posts. But when one passed away, the other would not touch the scratching posts. (I added many new ones that had no scent from the previous kitty.) Only after I got him a younger kitty did he finally start using posts. I can't explain it, but in case someone is on that path - there it is.

[@mycool8184]

This just gave me a crazy idea for my cat. I make vertical corner scratchers. And place them on the corners of the couch. So now mr.whiskers, can hang with the scent. And scratch where he wants

[@nepadron]

Your videos have been so helpful to me and my various cats over the years, thanks Jackson!

[@felicitygee381]

I have got the wand! Took me a year to get hold of it here in the UK but it is now Charlie's favourite toy. I have mobility issues and it is easier for me to use too because it is fully adjustable, I don't have to use my spine to get the right height/length for him!

[@NectereYT]

That air prey wand turned my sweet kitty into a ferocious monster. We had to take the feather off lol.

[@MyLast2Braincells84]

My girl LOVES cardboard scratchers. She will stretch a little on the vertical sisal ones, but much prefers to shred up the horizontal ones. And when she perches to scratch on those curved stackable ones, it's like she's holding onto prey.

[@blamb42]

My Biggles is a horizontal scratcher but I'm not too proud to go with a simple solution that allows him to scratch where I sit. Moving blankets are sturdy and cheap to replace when needed (once or twice a year). They are more comfortable than you might think (for both of us) and can be tossed in the closet when guests arrive.

[@Music_is_Breathing]

My cat hates sisal. Her scratching post is carpeted, and they are really hard to find!! She's very much a vertical scratcher. Thank you for all of your information.

[@ninademci1500]

Jackson, I had no idea about cats who horizontally scratch, but it makes sense.

[@lizjenkin7170]

If my new kitten scratches the sofa after I spent an hour putting together her cat tree... I'll still love and snuggle her anyway because she's gorgeous. I get her in a week! :D

[@StompMom5]

Our kitties still scratch a little bit but double sided tape definitely kicked most the habit. We still cuddle and love on them regardless 😍. You're going into it with a great attitude 👍. We have four cats and they own the house🤣. Just make sure that sweet kitty is fixed because the anxiety of hormones makes their life miserable and yours. Congrats on the kitty🥳🥳🥳

[@lizjenkin7170]

@@StompMom5 Yup, getting her fixed is one of my top priorities! Kittens shouldn't have kittens, and she'll be so much happier and healthier spayed. My vet won't spay before 6 months, and I'm already trying to book her in for October. Apparently I'm "too eager". ;) And thanks! :D She's going to be an indoor cat (indoor/outdoor is the norm here) and also the only pet in the flat... I'm hoping she won't get too lonely. My friend is adopting her two litter-mates, so we're aiming to go on plenty of play-dates! ;)

[@MiuXiu]

@@lizjenkin7170 they really won’t spay before 6 months?! They can go into heat by that time :(

[@Vidchemy]

Suggest you take your kitty to the scratching post or box and touch her paws to it before snuggling her to reinforce using a scratcher as a good thing. Otherwise, she will think she is being rewarded for scratching the furniture.

[@drfreud65]

@@Vidchemy I agree. All I've got to do when I buy new scratchers is go scratch the old ones, then scratch the new ones (with my own "claws"). My boy understands immediately and will rescratch everything I scratched, right after I scratch it.

[@colleen6304]

OK, this video is super cool. I finally, FINALLY understand my cat's scratching preferences. I would add, though, that some cats (i.e., mine) are selective hybrid scratchers. While my cat loves to scratch horizontally, she also enjoys vertical scratching, but ONLY with one particular scratch pillar ... a really tall one. I have no idea why a taller scratcher is preferable ... more leverage? more resistance, and therefore a more satisfying scratch? ... whatever the case may be, my cat's tall scratcher is a keeper. The shorter scratchers were donated a long time ago.

[@RinaArlingMedia]

Beaver Nylon (fabric used for heavier outdoor clothing) make cover for soffa. Claws dont feel so fun on it and easy to get cat hairs off.

[@jordanc9468]

OMG THANK YOU THIS JIST SOLVED MY CAT’S PROBLEM

[@kellyjohnson3617]

One thing I did want get a thick quilt to cover my couch. It really has saved the couch. And she loves it. Like she knows it’s hers. I get produced delivered in these crinkly pouches do where I do t want her to sit, I put it under there snd she doesn’t like the sound. Mine is an all of the above scratcher so I can’t stop her entirely so the cute quilt is a life saver. It’s her yes. And when I have to trav we l and take her with me I bring the quilt so she has a familiar scent wherever I go with her.

[@anacontreras4548]

Waiting for Jackson to have his own furniture line of couches with hard plastic sides. Please. Please 🙏

[@ProHolmes]

Mom's cat prefers vertical scratchers. He is a great fan of scratching, so in 13 years we gave him different scratchers, vertical, horisontal. he ignores horisontal likes vertical, and he needs them hang quit high so he can stand up and stretch his body to scratch. He has scratchers in every room and uses them a lot. So I think the idea is to give your cat different options to see what it prefer.

[@TraceyMush]

I had a kitty who had been declawed long before I knew him. Thankfully he didn't seem to experience any pain from it. I never had the heart to stop him from tearing up the wicker chair which was the only thing he could get any 'scratching' pleasure from. If you have a declawed cat and they seem to want to scratch but obviously cannot, provide them with something that they can get their toes into and pull at like a wicker chair

[@SharonRStudio]

Great video. Good advice. My issue isn’t with scratching as we seem to have reached an accord on that. I am having trouble getting my cat, Harvey, to play. He’s afraid of feathers on a stick. Wrestles toys that stick on glass to the floor and then ignores them. We don’t know his past as we adopted him in 2020 at 2 years old, but he’s afraid of heavy shoes, flip flops, loud noises and sticks. Poor sweetheart. He likes very high places, so we have cat-ified those areas in the house with towels and blankets. He doesn’t like being in boxes but rubs up against them. He will catch a mouse toy, bat it once and walk away not interested in catching again. Eats catnip but doesn’t roll around in it or seem affected by it like most of my previous cats did. I’ve tried other toys on strings, but he is more interested in chewing through the string than playing with the toy (he’s very successful at chewing through within one day) What material do you use for the cord on your retractable bird toy? Hoping it might be something hard for him to chew through. He does like my heavy ironing mats made of wool for scratching, kicking and just snuggling with. I’ve had to order 4 so far to give him the ones that he ruined for ironing. (My newest is on a shelf he can’t get to when I am not using it) Wacko cat but we love him.

[@fingerlickingoooood]

very wacko!

[@lexinicole12]

i taped the sides of my couch, also rubbed lemon wedges all over the tape! thank god that worked for me! also, i had to hold the scratching post down with a chair i have.

[@EJ-dp1kk]

My cat won't go near my scratch tree. I did just find those square cardboard scratchers and she loves them. I bougt three of them and made like a tunnel for her and now she scratches all the time. I am thrilled and so is she. Thanks cat whisper