【I need to know what measures to take】 "My home's situation" makes it impossible to place a cardboard scratcher

A cat scratching post is essential for cat owners. Not only does it protect walls and furniture, but it also becomes an excellent item that allows you to enjoy your cute and wild cat.

However, at our house, due to my beloved cat's "pee problem," we can no longer keep cardboard scratching posts, and we've resorted to desperate measures. If anyone has a good solution, please give me some advice. (Seriously)

Peeing on cardboard scratching posts feels good, doesn't it?

We have three adorable and beautiful cats. When we first started living with them, we could use cardboard scratching posts without any problems.

Modern cat scratching posts often come in cute designs, making them fun to choose. Cardboard scratching posts that produce less scratching debris or can be used by multiple cats can be a bit pricier, but I used to think, "The joy of choosing + the joy of them using it = effectively zero cost."

However, one day, my beloved cat Kotaro's behavior suddenly changed. For some reason, he started peeing on the cardboard scratching posts. Could it be a urinary tract disease?! Early detection is important!! Thinking so, I had him examined at the vet, but there were no abnormalities.

I was relieved, but then I reflected, "If that's the case, maybe it's stress..." I increased playtime and made every effort to be considerate, such as arresting our cohabiting cat, Leon, with a "You're harassing him! I'm arresting you!" hug when he tried to touch Kotaro's bottom from behind.

However, the peeing problem didn't resolve. Despite never having accidents otherwise, whenever I bought a cardboard scratching post, the next morning, he would draw a magnificent "pee map" inside the cardboard.

If he likes doing his business in cardboard, maybe if I provide a smaller cardboard scratching post, he won't pee. I thought this and bought a long, rectangular cardboard scratching post, but it was already too late.

Kotaro had already learned that "cardboard = a good place to pee." After sniffing the cardboard, the next moment, he sat down neatly and peed vigorously. My cohabiting cat, Jiji, and I were astonished that the newly added scratching post immediately became unusable.

Jiji sniffed it repeatedly, made a surprised face as if to say, "Ew... this smells kinda stinky...," and then gave me an unreasonable cat punch – a good memory.

Hmm... If he likes to pee while sitting, maybe a vertical scratching post could last longer. Undeterred, I tried various things, like sticking cardboard scratching posts on the wall or buying/making vertical scratching posts.

But alas, my efforts were in vain, as Kotaro skillfully sprayed his pee. I was surprised that my cat was so smart, able to understand the shape and usage of cardboard and change his peeing method accordingly.

I tried scratching posts made of silicone and sisal rope, but...

If cardboard doesn't work, I'll rely on scratching posts made of other materials. Switching my thinking, I once bought a silicone scratching post.

｢これが噂の肉球見放題ボウルですよ｣ pic.twitter.com/7xRkgfykNB

— ゆあ ｜ ライター🖊 (@yunc24291) September 10, 2018

However, the silicone type didn't seem to appeal to my cats' hearts. Perhaps they didn't like the material, as they wouldn't use it. (Jiji played with it as a toy.)

 So, next, I bought sisal rope scratching bowls and scratching posts. Since they were used to sisal rope scratching posts on the cat tree, I expected them to use this material.

｢これが噂の肉球見放題ボウルですよ｣ pic.twitter.com/7xRkgfykNB

— ゆあ ｜ ライター🖊 (@yunc24291) September 10, 2018

However, my cats' reactions were only so-so. They would scratch their claws, but I could almost hear them protesting, "Cardboard was easier to scratch."

Even after that, the scratching post continued to serve its purpose, but whenever my cats felt like having a "scratching party," they started doing it on my floor chair.

Even though my husband has his own floor chair, only mine is considered a "scratching post." Perhaps they are protesting, "Provide a better scratching post soon. This one is a hostage."

I finally found a desperate solution.

I had read that if a cat learns spraying behavior before neutering, they might continue to spray even after neutering. Because of this, I initially thought Kotaro's peeing might be spraying behavior.

 However, after carefully observing Kotaro, I started to think, "Maybe he just simply likes to pee inside cardboard." This is because Kotaro never pees on walls or anything, and he doesn't do his business on folded cardboard either.

Currently, we are employing a desperate coping strategy. We have installed scratching posts and a cat tree so they have two places to scratch, and we provide folded cardboard so they can have a "scratching party."

クリスマスプレゼント、ようやく組み立てれた😭👏若干、2段目から3段目が登りづらそうな感じがあるけど、強度はばっちり。やっぱり六本足の土台に感動したキャットタワーだった。買ってよかった。これから、徐々に慣れてね。 pic.twitter.com/FKFP9BhkzF

— ゆあ ｜ ライター🖊 (@yunc24291) December 28, 2022

However, if there's a better way, I want to adopt it enthusiastically. If you have any advice, such as "My cat does that too, but this works well," please let me know. (Note: We regularly review the litter box environment, and there seem to be no issues there.)

 I know it's impossible, but I wish some clever person would develop a water-repellent cardboard scratching post...