I recently bought a tall, multi-level cat tree with sisal posts and cozy hideouts for my Siamese, Luna. I placed it near the living room window where she loves to nap and watch birds. But after a week, she barely goes near it and prefers her old, worn-out cardboard scratcher on the floor. I tried sprinkling catnip on the new tree and even dangling toys from the top platforms, but she seems uninterested. I’m hoping she’ll start using it for scratching and climbing because it looks sturdy and would save my furniture.

Has anyone dealt with a cat ignoring a new climbing spot like this? What helped your cat warm up to a new tree or scratching post? Should I try moving it to a different room or add something else to make it more inviting?

On 02/03/2026 at 8:15 PM, PetPalPaws said:

I recently bought a tall, multi-level cat tree with sisal posts and cozy hideouts for my Siamese, Luna. I placed it near the living room window where she loves to nap and watch birds. But after a week, she barely goes near it and prefers her old, worn-out cardboard scratcher on the floor. I tried sprinkling catnip on the new tree and even dangling toys from the top platforms, but she seems uninterested. I’m hoping she’ll start using it for scratching and climbing because it looks sturdy and would save my furniture.

Has anyone dealt with a cat ignoring a new climbing spot like this? What helped your cat warm up to a new tree or scratching post? Should I try moving it to a different room or add something else to make it more inviting?

Sounds like Luna is pretty loyal to her old scratcher! Sometimes cats get attached to the familiar texture and smell, so it might just take a bit more time for her to warm up to the new tree. You could try rubbing some of her used bedding or a favorite blanket on the new tree to transfer her scent and make it feel more like “hers.”

Also, if the tree is too tall or the platforms feel unstable to her, she might be hesitant to explore it. Maybe start by placing it somewhere quieter or where she already spends a lot of time, then gradually move it closer to the window once she’s comfortable. Cats can be surprisingly picky about their hangout spots!

On 02/03/2026 at 8:15 PM, PetPalPaws said:

I recently bought a tall, multi-level cat tree with sisal posts and cozy hideouts for my Siamese, Luna. I placed it near the living room window where she loves to nap and watch birds. But after a week, she barely goes near it and prefers her old, worn-out cardboard scratcher on the floor. I tried sprinkling catnip on the new tree and even dangling toys from the top platforms, but she seems uninterested. I’m hoping she’ll start using it for scratching and climbing because it looks sturdy and would save my furniture.

Has anyone dealt with a cat ignoring a new climbing spot like this? What helped your cat warm up to a new tree or scratching post? Should I try moving it to a different room or add something else to make it more inviting?

Sounds like Luna is pretty loyal to her old scratcher! Sometimes cats just get attached to the familiar texture or smell, even if the new tree looks way better to us. One thing that worked for me was moving the new tree into a quieter corner where my cat usually chills, instead of the busy living room. It made her feel safer exploring it on her own terms.

Also, try rubbing a bit of her favorite treat or a little of her own fur on the sisal posts to give it a familiar scent. That helped my kitty warm up to the new spot without feeling like it was some strange, new thing invading her space. Hopefully Luna starts giving it a chance soon!

On 02/03/2026 at 8:15 PM, PetPalPaws said:

I recently bought a tall, multi-level cat tree with sisal posts and cozy hideouts for my Siamese, Luna. I placed it near the living room window where she loves to nap and watch birds. But after a week, she barely goes near it and prefers her old, worn-out cardboard scratcher on the floor. I tried sprinkling catnip on the new tree and even dangling toys from the top platforms, but she seems uninterested. I’m hoping she’ll start using it for scratching and climbing because it looks sturdy and would save my furniture.

Has anyone dealt with a cat ignoring a new climbing spot like this? What helped your cat warm up to a new tree or scratching post? Should I try moving it to a different room or add something else to make it more inviting?

Sounds like Luna has a strong attachment to her old cardboard scratcher, which is pretty common - cats can be surprisingly loyal to their favorite spots! Since she likes watching birds, maybe try moving the new tree even closer to the window or somewhere she already feels comfy. Sometimes cats need a little extra time to adjust, so keeping the old scratcher nearby for now might help her gradually explore the new one without feeling pushed.

Also, if you haven’t already, try rubbing a little of Luna’s own scent (like from a blanket or towel she uses) onto the new tree. That personal touch can make it feel more familiar. And if she’s still not interested after a bit, maybe experiment with different textures or scratching angles - some cats prefer horizontal over vertical scratching, or vice versa. Hope Luna finds her new favorite hangout soon!

On 02/03/2026 at 8:15 PM, PetPalPaws said:

I recently bought a tall, multi-level cat tree with sisal posts and cozy hideouts for my Siamese, Luna. I placed it near the living room window where she loves to nap and watch birds. But after a week, she barely goes near it and prefers her old, worn-out cardboard scratcher on the floor. I tried sprinkling catnip on the new tree and even dangling toys from the top platforms, but she seems uninterested. I’m hoping she’ll start using it for scratching and climbing because it looks sturdy and would save my furniture.

Has anyone dealt with a cat ignoring a new climbing spot like this? What helped your cat warm up to a new tree or scratching post? Should I try moving it to a different room or add something else to make it more inviting?

It’s interesting that Luna still prefers her old cardboard scratcher even with the new tree right by her favorite window spot. Sometimes cats get attached to the texture or scent of their familiar scratching surfaces, so maybe try placing a piece of that cardboard or a small blanket from her old spot onto the new tree to transfer some of that scent? That might make it feel more “hers.”

Also, if she’s a bit shy about climbing up high right away, try spending some time near the tree with her, maybe offering treats or gentle pets on the lower levels to build positive associations. Moving it to a quieter corner could help too if the living room feels too busy or noisy for her comfort.

Patience is key - my cat took weeks to warm up to her new tree, but once she did, it became her favorite hangout. Keep experimenting with what Luna likes and don’t give up just yet!

On 02/03/2026 at 8:15 PM, PetPalPaws said:

I recently bought a tall, multi-level cat tree with sisal posts and cozy hideouts for my Siamese, Luna. I placed it near the living room window where she loves to nap and watch birds. But after a week, she barely goes near it and prefers her old, worn-out cardboard scratcher on the floor. I tried sprinkling catnip on the new tree and even dangling toys from the top platforms, but she seems uninterested. I’m hoping she’ll start using it for scratching and climbing because it looks sturdy and would save my furniture.

Has anyone dealt with a cat ignoring a new climbing spot like this? What helped your cat warm up to a new tree or scratching post? Should I try moving it to a different room or add something else to make it more inviting?

It’s funny how cats can be so particular about their favorite spots - even when the new setup seems perfect to us! Since Luna loves that old cardboard scratcher, maybe try placing the new tree right next to it for a while. That way she can gradually explore the new spot without feeling like she’s losing her comfort zone.

Also, sometimes cats prefer certain textures or heights for scratching. If the sisal posts don’t feel quite right to her paws, you could try adding a small piece of cardboard or a different scratching material on one of the lower levels. Moving the tree closer to her usual hangouts like the window was a smart move, but a little patience and subtle encouragement often help more than anything flashy.