Scratching posts?

[PureMuttz]

Ok, so my female cat, Martha (who is featured in my avatar!) is wonderful with scratching posts & cat trees. She will use any post, tall or short. I have a few I originally bought for foster kittens, but kept afterwards because Martha would use them too.

Jethro on the other hand...I just can't seem to find the one for him. He wants to use corners of the carpet, and since we rent an apartment, that obviously needs to stop!

It just seems impossible to find a wide selection of horizontal scratching posts/pads to test out for him.

Anyways, anyone who has/had a carpet scratching kitty....what worked for you?

One thing I thought about is that he used to live outdoor (ex-stray) and maybe a wood would promote scratching and take him away from the carpet?

Ideas!

P.S. Just in case, I want everyone to know that declawing is NOT an option.

[**Sapphire**]

When he scratches the carpet, have you tried to take him to the scratching post & show him that he is to scratch there?

Maybe trying a piece of wood to get him interested is a good idea.

My 3 cats are declawed so I haven't had that experience with scratching things other than a post.

[PureMuttz]

I cannot just pick him up and move him, but I have tried to promote scratching the post by showing him how (me scratching the posts) and also hoping that him seeing Martha use the posts like a pro would get the idea across, but so far, nothing.

We'll figure something out. I know he used a rug at my old place, so I think I may buy one for the front door area, and if he uses it...extra bonus. :P

[**Sapphire**]

The rug may be a good idea.

He just might get used to the scratching post, it may take a little bit more time. I know time isn't what you have as he's scratching the floors. So hopefully a rug or something else he likes to scratch on will be of help.

[Felineluvr]

My cat Ino was really good with the cardboard stuff they offer at Wal*Mart/Target but they leave little bits of cardboard just about everywhere. I recently bought a new one with Rope wound around a pole and it's absolutely impossible to get her to use it:/