I've always thought it would be confusing for the cat....it's ok to scratch this, but not the sofa etc!
Had lots of cats before, but never had a scratch post, or any need for one. However, getting a kitten tomorrow and because of the layout of our house we won't be able to keep him away from the furniture.
I'd suggest you get one, and praise him every time he uses it - the feel of the rope under his claws is very satifactory. If I had a kitten again I would get a climbing house type of thing for him. Spray it with catnip and show him how to use it.... :-)
just saw this question after replying to your other one re fluff ball! i'm agreeing with box t here too ;-). even if you dont get a bigger version,a scratching post would be great for a kitten. a word of warning though,never get one with a ping pong ball on the top,attached to an elastic thread. my kitten was nearly strangled cause the thread sprung round his neck! i was watching at the time and quickly freed him,but it would have been a different story otherwise.
If your kitten is going to be going out then he may do his scratching outside. Frankie is currently destroying an old armchair and the woodwork at the top of my stairs.
My best translation would be cat embroidery. Not sure that would describe the destruction of what I can only describe as an ugly chair. Maybe Frankie is just trying to make it unique.
I really should think about going to bed - the communal bed that is - me and two cats who take up ¾ of the bed between them.
I would certainly get a scratching post as my cat uses hers all the time. She uses it every time she comes in from outside and every morning when she gets up. My advice would be to get a tall one so that when your cat is fully grown it can stretch itself fully when using it - they like that.
Eric uses his as and when he remembers or is shouted at for using an alternative method. He's getting better though since it got moved to next to the arm of the sofa as a deterrent!
lol wolf that's my worry......thanks for everyone's opinions, think I'll get him one, he's been good so far, but I am pretty fond of my sofa in its current condition!