So you finally found a scratcher that doesn't look like a carpet sample, brought it home, set it down, and your cat strolled right past it like it wasn't even there. Been there. Cats are stubborn little creatures of habit, but with a bit of nudging almost all of them come around. Here's what actually works.
Put it where your cat already hangs out
The quickest way to guarantee a scratcher gets ignored is to stash it in the guest room nobody uses. Cats scratch where they live. That means near their bed, by the window they stare out of for hours, or right beside the couch they've quietly been shredding for months. Start there. Once your cat has decided the scratcher is theirs, you can slowly shift it to a spot you like better.
Make that first sniff worth it
You want their very first encounter to feel rewarding. A pinch of catnip rubbed into the surface usually does the trick. Try dragging a wand toy across it too, so their claws snag the texture almost by accident and they realize, oh, this feels kind of great. And the moment they give it a real scratch, toss a treat their way or just make a fuss over them. Cats remember what pays off.
Redirect instead of scolding
When your cat wanders back to the couch (and they will at first), just calmly pick them up and set them by the scratcher. No yelling, no spray bottle. Scolding tends to make cats nervous, and a nervous cat scratches even more, which is the opposite of what you want. If the couch is really their favorite target, cover that corner for a little while so the scratcher becomes the easier, more fun choice.
Be patient with it
A lot of cats take to a new scratcher in a few days. Others need a week or two, and that's completely normal. Older cats especially can be slow to trust a new texture or angle. The thing that matters most is leaving it put. Don't keep moving it around or tucking it away. Keep it in place, keep it inviting, and let their curiosity finish the job.
Why we build them this way
A scratcher only earns its keep if it's somewhere you're happy to leave it out. When it lives in the room instead of the closet, your cat actually uses it and your sofa gets to grow old gracefully. Every Purli piece comes with a 30 day money back guarantee, so if your cat turns up their nose, you're covered.