How many posts do you have, where are they, how tall are they,
and how sturdy are they?   :)  I know that's a lot of questions, but
placement, number, and all those others are crucial factors in whether
a cat uses a post or not.
    You should provide multiple posts and multiple scratching
surfaces.  Some cats like the feeling of sisal rope, some like bark,
some like carpet, some like cardboard.  Some cats like vertical
surfaces, some like horizontal ones.  Cats like to scratch when they
first wake up, and they like to scratch in places where the traffic
density is the highest.  Put one post where they like to sleep so they
can stretch their muscles after a nap, and put one in the
living/family room (high traffic density) so they can fulfill their
territorial marking need.  Scratching is a visual and olfactory
territory marker -- the scratched part says visually 'here I am, and
I'm this big', and cats have scent glands on their paw pads that say
olfactorily  'This is my place, and I'm this sex and this old and this
healthy'.  Cats tend to prefer posts that are tall enough to stretch
way up against.  This not only helps them stretch/exercise their back
and shoulder muscles properly, but lets them announce how tall they
are to the world in territorial marking. Cats will not scratch on an
unsteady surface.  If the post wobbles or (Bast forbid) falls over,
cats won't scratch on it.  Posts and trees should be on a heavy, wide
base for maximum stability.

I have five scratching surfaces (one 6' tree in the living room, 2 4'
posts (one in the library near out bedroom and one in the media room
in the basement), and two cardboard horizontal scratchers that float
around the house) for three cats, and we have no damage anywhere in
the house.  Now, the cats will paw at the furniture (claws in) to put
their scent on it, but since that's non-damaging we allow it.

Orchid
See Orchid's Kitties! -- http://nik.ascendancy.net/bengalpage
Want a Purebred Cat?  Read This! -- http://nik.ascendancy.net/orchid

Paul,

You may need to do more than "put them on it."  You need to do something to
start the scratching instinct and to let your cats know that this is the
"preferred" scratching area.  I was always able to train my cats to a
scratching post within a few days, but it required that I may *close*
attention to their scratching habits during the first few days.  First, I
would attract the cat's attention to the post by running a string with a
small toy on it up and down the lower part of the scratching post -- enough
to get their attention.  Praise *lavishly* if the cat catches on fast and
grabs for the toy, then starts to scratch.  Another technique is to scratch
with your own fingernails.  That will usually attract your cat's attention,
and he or she may begin to scratch quickly.  Sometimes it helps just to tap
the surface gently.  When I said to pay close attention, I meant that you
also need to watch for the slightest sign that the cat is going to scratch
on furniture instead of the scratching post.  In that case, say "no" very
firmly and go over to the cat tree and tap on the post (or scratch with your
fingernails) until your cat gets the idea and scratches there.  Then, as
always, *praise* lavishly.  You might even try lifting the cat and carrying
it to the scratching post/cat tree, but it is usually better (and more
effective) to do something to attract the cat's attention and let the cat
move toward the scratching post.  It may take longer to train your cats
because they are already used to scratching on your furniture, but it can be
done!

Good luck,
MaryL

Hi Paul:  I've never been able to get a cat to use  traditional cat
posts.  I think most of them are too low.  However, before you spend all
that dough, try this 8 dollar solution.  It's called the cat scratcher
and is made out of corrugated paper.  Lays flat on the floor and cats
love it.  i have to buy two at a time because my two cats litarally
fight over who gets to use it when I bring how a new one.

http://shop.petsmart.com/product/2534374302023690/2534374302023690/845524
441779929.htm

Can't guarantee it will save the furniture but it will sure help.  

Minus