“Cat trees are great! However, some kitties do NOT get the hint, and still prefer furniture. Those disposable cardboard scratch pads (~$6) workbetter for some kitties. We purchased utilitarian furniture with hardwood legs, and that was effective. Our worst clawer got brain cancer at 3 and is no longer with us. She was also entertainingly sassy, as she would meow at my wife before defying her (e.g. jumping on the dining table). I would rather have her than perfect furniture. Besides our 15 year old son is rougher on it than the cats. We can’tget him declawed though.”
I sprinkle a little cat nip on a scratcher and give a treat when they use it. Works great.
Every cat is different. Catnip does not work on 1/3rd of cats. We also have a five yearood male who is fussy, and startlingly unmoved by treats. He is very affectionate and lets us put drops in his eyeswhen needed.