Rule 118 – The desirability of the item intended for the scratching pleasures of the feline is proportionately related to the expense of the item being scratched unless, of course, the item is designed to be scratched. Or, furniture.
Once upon a time, way back when the earth was green and there were dinosaurs, I purchased a scratching post.
And not any ordinary scratching post. The love for my feline masters was so great that I sacrificed my weekly grocery budget (not theirs) and bought them this lovely $75 (seventy-five dollar) scratching post. I’ve had car repairs and medical procedures that were less expensive.
Please note that the fuzzy things on the sides of the Luxury (24k solid gold core) $75 Scratching Post are not, in fact, tuffs of fur, battle scars of well-earned active usage.
They’re cobwebs.
There are a few other things my enlightened felines will scratch, most notably the few nice pieces of furniture that I have. Oh, and the inserts to other scratching devices. But not while they are actually installed in said other scratching device.
They prefer them à la carte.
It recently occurred to me that perhaps they just didn’t realize how awesome this deluxe scratching post was, since it had been largely ignored since its arrival. On a whim I purchased a bottle of “miracle” Kong Naturals Catnip Spray from an enthusiastic clerk at Petsmart, who assured me the the “highly ethical” spraying of feline crack cocaine all over the post would be just the ticket to lure them to target. There, finally exposed to the overlooked sisal splendors and cushy carpeting, they would pluck to heart’s content, sparing my furniture and door posts.
Response immediately after light spraying of Kong Naturals Catnip Spray.
Response 10 minutes after saturating scratching post with entire bottle of Kong Naturals Catnip Spray.
To get further away, he’d have to leave the room entirely but the early afternoon nap relocation wasn’t scheduled for another 45 minutes, and that of course, would not be a wise conservation of energy.
Energy that he could use later.
To scratch the furniture.
Drunk on Life 
Not a one of the three cats I’ve had since I bought it have ever used the scratching post that still sits in their corner for anything other than to rub themselves on. One of my cats will use the big scratching pad that lays on the floor, but that’s it. Furniture seems to be just the right texture for cats’ scratching desires. Maybe if they made sofas out of the same material they do those useless scratching posts?
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Maybe I can just use the scratching post as a couch. It’s paid for. 🙂
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Maybe they’d like it better if it was horizontal, rather than vertical? Or position it right in front of the place on the sofa they like to scratch.
I figured out my cats didn’t like the scratching post I got them because it was too tippy. It was better on its side, but still not a loved plaything for them. I think cats just have a “will never use a thing for its intended purpose” motto, personally. 😉
Merry Christmas!
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