Cats are natural scratchers. In the wild, they use scratching to stretch muscles, keep their claws healthy, and leave scent marks at important places. When a cat ignores the scratcher at home, it is rarely because the product is useless. It is usually because the scratcher does not match what the cat understands as a safe and meaningful place to scratch. Understanding this from a behaviour point of view helps you choose better products from Pawpawup and set them up in a way that makes sense for your cat.
Scratching is communication and body care
Scratching is not just about claw care. Each paw has scent glands that release a personal smell onto the surface. The mark left behind is both visual and chemical. For the cat, it says this place belongs to me, and I feel safe here. If your current cat scratcher is placed where the cat rarely walks or rests, it has little value as a scent mark and may be ignored.
Cats also scratch at moments of arousal. This can be a happy arousal when you arrive home or a stressful arousal when a strange noise occurs. The more the scratcher is linked to daily movement and emotional events, the more likely the cat is to use it. For further insight into how cats communicate through everyday behaviours, the overview from RSPCA Australia provides helpful context.
Eight common reasons your cat avoids the scratcher
The surface does not match the cat's preference
Some cats love rough cardboard. Others prefer carpet or sisal rope. A flat board feels right for some cats, while others only enjoy a tall vertical cat scratching post. If the texture under the claws does not feel right, the cat will walk away and choose the sofa instead. This is why many homes do better with more than one type of cat scratcher.
The scratcher is in the wrong location
Behaviour studies show that cats often scratch near sleeping spots and at points where they enter or leave a room. A lonely scratcher in a corner has little meaning. Place one sturdy cat scratching post beside the main lounge chair and another near the favourite cat tree so the cat can mark key routes through the home.
The scratcher does not feel stable
If the post wobbles or the board slides on the floor, the cat will lose trust very quickly. In nature, scratching trees are solid. In the home, the scratcher must feel just as safe. Heavy bases, secure brackets and firm mounting are essential. Products from Pawpawup are designed with stability in mind, but they still need correct placement on your floor or wall.
The cat has a strong history with another surface
Once a sofa arm or carpet edge becomes a regular scratching target, it holds a strong scent and habit loop. A new scratcher placed far away will have trouble competing. In this case, move the cat scratcher right in front of the problem area so that the claws naturally hit the new surface first. Over time, you can shift it step by step to a better spot.
The scratcher is competing with stress
Cats may increase scratching when stressed, but they also avoid new objects when they feel tense. If there are loud arguments, building noise, other pets or young children always near the scratcher, the cat may see it as part of a risky zone. Try one post in a quiet, safe room and another in the busy living area so the cat has a choice.
The cat is not in good physical shape
Arthritis, past injuries or being overweight can all change how a cat uses its body. A tall post that demands a full stretch may be painful. Older cats often prefer a slightly lower scratching surface or an angled board. Watching how your cat moves on the cat tree, or steps in and out of the cat litter box, can give clues about joint comfort.
There are clashes between cats in the home
In multi-cat homes, scratching points carry social messages. A confident cat may claim one post and block another cat from using it through hard stares or quiet body pressure that humans sometimes miss. Adding more than one cat scratching post in different zones and giving each cat its own resting spots on the cat tree can reduce tension and increase use of the right surfaces.
The scratcher is not paired with positive experiences
From a learning view, behaviour that brings good outcomes is repeated. If the only time you pay attention to scratching is when you shout at the cat near the sofa, the scratcher never receives a reward signal. Each time you see your cat use the post, walk over, speak calmly and offer a gentle stroke or a small treat. A little play with a toy around the post can also build a strong positive link.
Putting it all together in your home
To solve scratching problems, watch your cat for a few days. Note where the cat sleeps, which paths it takes through rooms and which places currently receive unwanted scratching. Then place sturdy, well-chosen posts and boards from pawpawup into these key zones. Offer a mix of textures and both vertical and horizontal options. Make sure the cat litter box, food area and resting places all feel safe, because general stress often shows first in scratching patterns.
With a thoughtful plan, the right cat tree and a well-placed cat scratcher or cat scratching post become part of a calm territory map for your cat. Over time, the furniture is safer, the cat feels more secure, and the home is more in tune with natural feline behaviour.