A scratcher hidden in a quiet corner may be convenient for people but easy for a cat to overlook. Cats often scratch after waking, during play, and along familiar paths through a room. Place a scratcher near a favored sleeping spot, a doorway, or the area where your cat has already scratched. This makes the appropriate surface easy to find at the moment the urge appears.
If your cat targets furniture, put a suitable scratcher close to that exact location at first. Choose an orientation and texture that resemble the surface your cat has selected. Once the scratcher is used consistently, you can move it gradually if needed, shifting it a small distance at a time. Avoid immediately removing the familiar target without providing an appealing alternative nearby.
Offer more than one scratcher when space allows. A vertical post and a horizontal pad serve different preferences, and separate locations give a cat options around the home. Make sure each item is stable and has enough usable surface for a comfortable scratch. If the scratcher is ignored, experiment with placement, texture, or angle rather than scolding. A few careful adjustments can turn an overlooked object into part of your cat’s regular routine.