Question

My cat won't use her cat bed or scratcher.  She use to love her scratcher.  I've tried putting the bed inside a cardboard box but that does not work.  Instead she sleeps on top of the cardboard box.  She uses the side of my bed to scratch.  I've tried using catnip but that that that does not work. How can I encourage  her to use the bed and scratcher that I paid for.

Answer 1

Buy catnip spray and spray just a little on her scratching post. You can also get her a Smarty Kat Scratching pad that comes equipped with catnip at Walmart for about $6. This gives the cat a choice. Try putting the cat bed on your bed. Some cats just don't like them but if it is on the bed or in a chair they will use it.

Answer 2

Buy a crate and crate train her. If the crate is big enough, put the bed in there too. As for the scratcher, keep her out of your room if she is not confined and then put her in a room with the scratcher in it. Preferably something with little furniture.

Answer 3

a cat is not like a dog, when you can train a do to go in its cosy basket, cats will do the exact opposite and sleep wherever they want, nothing you can do, if kitty wants it she will sleep in it

Answer 4

if the cat likes being on top of the box put the cat bed on top of the box:-!

Answer 5

Maybe the cat bed is not comfortable for her. Maybe you could put some sort of foam in the cat bed. Maybe that will help?

Answer 6

Is the scratcher getting wore out?  Maybe you need a new one. Let her sleep where ever she wants.

Answer 7

Only geriatric cats like cat beds. All other cats just sleep where they want to.