[Vigilanteman]

So any advice on getting kitty used to the new scratch pad would be greatly appreciated . . . or anything else yinz feel inclined to throw in.

[pgkdan]

My advice...get a dog.

[uglybiker]

Some catnip on the scratchpad usually gets their attention.

[discostu]

Sprinkle catnip or tuna oil on the stuff you want them to scratch. That draws their attention. Could be the material too, different cats like to scratch different stuff.

[mad_as_he$$]

Put some catnip on the scratch pad.

[Gefn]

Kitty advice ping.

[Gaffer]

I have a damn cat from hell who won’t touch the pad either. She prefers to the door jambs. On nearly every doorjamb in the house. One by the kitchen has claw marks 1/4” deep. Do you want her? I’m about at the de-claw stage now, or introducing her to winter outdoors and Mr. Coyote.

[BenLurkin]

Keep her claws trimmed, and the damage will be minimal at most.

[DonkeyBonker]

Sautéed with mushrooms and onions. (sarc)

[Leaning Right]

Two points:

One, if you play laser tag with your cat, make sure she “wins”. Because since there really is nothing for her to catch, it can frustrate the cat. I always give my cat a treat when she “catches” the dot.

And two, regarding the scratching post. I had the same problem. I suggest a carrot-and-stick approach. Put a small treat on the scratching post. And keep a squirt bottle of water handy. Give the cat a quick squirt when she tries to scratch anything inappropriate. Cats do learn fast.

Just be sure you clean that squirt bottle out first.

[Truth29]

If she has a favorite spot on your furniture, put two sided sticky tape on it for awhile. For carpet, you can try a boundary spray, but they often repeal people, too. Otherwise, use “No” with a water pistol or air cannon to train her to stop.

[DJ MacWoW]

My cats prefer a carpeted post to scratch than a flat pad.

[Twotone]

We’re training two young kittens at the moment. They go after our speaker cloth & when that happens I carry them over to the scratching post & mimic the behavior (scratching it with my fingers). They usually follow suit, but being youngsters they forget. Just have to keep reinforcing the behavior you want. And putting catnip on as others have suggested couldn’t hurt.

[Dr. Sivana]

There are sprays to discourage kitty from scratching.

Also, a water pistol is useful to discourage unwanted behaviour. (I know that is the old way of thinking, but it sure worked with our great cat).

[Gamecock]

I would say the best solution for any cat issue is getting a large stray dog for the house.

[Fresh Wind]

Beautiful cat!

Maybe you should get down on your knees and show her how to do it?

[SkyDancer]

Some more advice:

[BitWielder1]

Catnip works for some 2/3rds of all cats. The others are not interested.
DO NOT DE-CLAW. It's very painful for the cat, for the rest of their lives.
You can put double sided scotch tape on surfaces you don't want scratched.
You can cap claws but the best be is to find a material that she likes to scratch.

[BubbaJunebug]

Get a dog...put catnip on the dog. enjoy the show

[SubMareener]

The double sided clear tape that you can get at a pet store may work.

[LostInBayport]

I agree with the posters above who suggest catnip on the scratch pad. That and praise after she uses it.

A change in the location of the scratch pad might also be considered at some point. Mine likes to go to the scratch pad after eating or drinking water.