Lapka
Where to start
Start with a stable scratching surface beside the furniture your cat uses. Check its position and shape, reward its use and record what changes.
Offer a suitable scratching place
Scratching is normal cat behaviour. Put a stable scratching post beside the spot being scratched; it should allow a full stretch. For a cat choosing horizontal surfaces, offer a scratching mat. Reward use of the appropriate surface.
Make a short observation record
Write down the exact place, surface and time: “Left sofa arm, after waking, used the post once.” Record the post’s location too. These are observations, not a diagnosis of why your cat scratches. If you change the setup, note the change so you know what was available during the next observation.
Separate preparation from practice
For your own checklist, group the setup tasks together: choose the spot, check stability and place the scratching surface. Then record what your cat actually uses. Moving a post is your preparation; choosing the post is a separate result to observe. Do not count the furniture arrangement itself as a skill your cat has learned.
Work through it with Lapka
Describe the scratching in your own words and choose a behaviour programme. Lapka uses your cat’s profile and the details you provide to generate the lessons. Record the results as you go. If you are concerned about pain, health or a sudden behaviour change, contact your vet; the app does not diagnose the cause.
Example observation note
Setup: stable post beside the left sofa arm. Today: used the post once and the sofa once. Change made: moved the post from the hallway. No claim of a resolved habit yet.
When it does not go to plan
There is already a scratching post. What should I check?
Note where it stands, whether it wobbles and whether your cat can stretch fully. Compare its orientation with the surface your cat actually scratches. “We own a post” and “the post suits this spot” are different checks.
How do I know whether moving the post helped?
Record use of both the furniture and the post before and after the move. Keep the location change in the note. One use is an observation, not proof that the habit has changed permanently.
Sources and further reading
