Best Cat Deterrent Sprays to Keep Kitties Out of Trouble

Cats are curious, mischievous creatures. Most of the time, we find those traits endearing. When idle paws find their way to scratching the furniture or exploring the counters, though, it’s a different story. Any cat owner will assure you the word “No” doesn’t exist in the cat dictionary. If you’re at your wit’s end with a troublesome feline, it may be time to consider cat deterrent sprays.

Cat Misbehavior

If you don’t keep your cat’s attention engaged, boredom results. When you’re home, it’s easy to distract them with cuddles and playtime. If you head out, your cat gets left to their own devices. Electronic cat toys are perfect distractions, keeping your feline from engaging in unwanted behaviors. But if your cat is idle, trouble ensues.

The most common misbehaviors that result in owners reaching for cat deterrent sprays include:

• Unwanted scratching (anything OTHER than a scratching post)
• Chewing electrical cords
• Jumping on kitchen counters
• Destroying window coverings (blinds top the list)
• Mauling houseplants
• Terrorizing aquarium fish
• Exploring forbidden territory (bookcases, the refrigerator, and curtain rails all make the list in our house)

Other Unwanted Problems

Cat deterrent sprays make the shopping list for owners that struggle with unwanted marking habits. While the first line of defense should be spaying or neutering (surprise – female cats mark territory, too!), cat deterrent sprays help with this smelly habit.

For other people, the problem isn’t THEIR cat. Instead, their gardens or yards see frequent invasions by the neighborhood ferals that view the planted vegetable beds as a personal litterbox. Outdoor cat deterrent sprays help keep the invaders from your property. In addition, they often keep other wildlife from coming into the yard to munch on your garden plants, too.

Cat Deterrent Spray Options

Cat deterrent sprays come in a few forms. The option you choose depends not just on your tolerance but on your cat’s personality. What works for one cat may not affect another. So you may need to experiment and switch things around to find the deterrent that works best in your household.

• Pheromones: Pheromone sprays mimic the scent cats deposit when they mark territory. This produces a calming sensation. If your cat’s misbehavior is due to a stressful situation (i.e., moving, a new animal in the house, etc.), these cat deterrent sprays are the ideal choice.
• Sound: Before you panic about claxons going off through the house, the sound is no more than the hiss of air releasing from the can. Cats get startled by the resulting puff of air, avoiding the area.
• Smell: Cats have sensitivities to certain smells, which is how these cat deterrent sprays work. Often based on lavender, rosemary, thyme, or eucalyptus, they create a barrier your cat won’t want to pass. However, keep in mind that not every smell deters every cat.

Alternatives to Cat Deterrent Sprays

No one likes coping with cat destruction or unwanted explorations. If you have a kitten, such climbing can fray your nerves. Our youngest cat gets EVERYWHERE in our house, and no plant is safe from nibbling teeth. It prompts shouting, waving arms, and sighing. If you’re reluctant to reach for cat deterrent sprays, you have other options.

If you find your cat scratching the furniture, make sure you have plenty of scratching posts available. Provide different options, such as cardboard scratchers, posts with sisal rope, and standard carpet-covered posts. When you see your cat heading for the couch, gently redirect them to their scratching areas. Catnip on the scratchers will entice your cat to use them.

For people that don’t want cats on the couch, keep a cat bed BESIDE the sofa. It tells your kitty they’re welcome beside you, even if they can’t join you on the couch.

Does your cat want to see what you’re doing in the kitchen? It sounds crazy, but consider getting a stool for them to sit on and observe you. We have one for our kiddo, and she’s happy as a clam. (No more climbing on the counter) Creativity goes a long way.

Natural Cat Deterrents

When it comes to your porch, garden, or yard, you aren’t limited, either. Plenty of natural plants make lovely additions to your landscaping while offending sensitive kitty noses:

• Citronella: We love the citrus scent – but to cats? Citrus is the WORST. This also has the bonus of keeping mosquitos at bay!
• Lavender: A common herb used in soaps and potpourri, the flower is horrid to cats.
• Pennyroyal: Part of the mint family (like catnip), cats DON’T enjoy the scent of this particular plant.
• Peppermint: You got it: some mints are feline-friendly, and others aren’t. Take it easy with peppermint, though. If it’s ingested, it turns into a toxic problem.
• Rosemary: Having this herb around can enhance your cooking or brighten up clothes you store away. And your fluffy feline? They won’t want anything to do with it.
• Rue: Cats won’t go near it, but YOU need to take care when handling this natural cat deterrent. Humans often end up with skin rashes.
• Scaredy Cat Plant: Cats aren’t precisely afraid of the plant, but they HATE the smell. Of course, so do most people as they feel it smells strongly of dog urine.
• Wintergreen: Basically, other than catnip, you can set out any mint family plants as a nice border to keep the feral felines at bay.

Choosing Cat Deterrent Sprays

You may need to switch between different cat deterrent sprays to find one that works for your cat. Some felines are made of sterner stuff and bypass the barrier you set up. When looking for the best choices, keep the following in mind:

• Ingredients: Avoid chemicals that pose a hazard to your cat, other pets, or children. Yes, you want your cat to stay off the counter, but you still need to use the counter. Keep everyone safe.
• Dosage: Read the instructions carefully. Most cat deterrent sprays need repeated applications to remain effective.
• Location: Few cat deterrent sprays work indoors AND outdoors. Decide where you want the spray to work and check to make sure the product is intended for that use.
• Coverage Area: Some sprays only work within a radius of a few feet. Others (the outdoor products, mostly) cover several thousand square feet. Consider how much space you want to barricade when you select your product.
• Behavior: Do you want to keep your cat from eating the houseplants or just stop scratching the couch? Different cat deterrent sprays work better for different behaviors.

Tips to Keep in Mind for Working With Cat Deterrent Sprays

While you have your cat deterrent sprays ready, there are a few things that need to stick in the back of your mind. After all, you’re hoping to get the best results from this training method.

Cat Deterrent Sprays 101

Read the instructions on your bottle. Cat deterrent sprays only work when used correctly. If you miss a step (such as reapplication time), the spray WILL fail. You don’t want to waste money.

Before you use ANY spray, clean the area, you plan to protect with a mixture of baking soda and vinegar to remove any scent markers your cat’s deposited. This gives the cat deterrent the best chance of working.

Cat deterrent sprays work best when your cat’s in the area. However, NEVER spray your cat themselves. Always stay at least a foot away from them to protect their faces. (Same goes for you and your kids)

Cat Preparation

Even though you’re using cat deterrent sprays, make sure you clip your cat’s nails regularly. On average, cats need a nail trim every month. And make sure you have those scratching boards handy.

Have plenty of patience. Cat deterrent sprays aren’t miracles; they can take over a week to show results. Your cat’s learning a new behavior. This is negative reinforcement (not the positive reinforcement you use when clicker-training), and it’s a slow process.

Keep in mind the possibility that the misbehavior you see MAY have a root in a health concern. If the cat deterrent sprays fail, take your cat to the vet for a thorough examination.

Best Cat Deterrent Sprays

You’ve reached the end of your rope, and you want to give cat deterrent sprays a try. There is nothing wrong with that (speaking as someone who retrieves a cat from the top of the refrigerator). Cats are smart, and they WILL learn to avoid negative reinforcement. With different varieties of cat deterrent spray available, you’re sure to find one that will work for your feisty feline.

Best Anti-Chew Cat Deterrent Spray

Electricity and teeth are a terrible combination. Never mind the damage to the cord; your cat can suffer severe health consequences. If you have a cat that’s determined to nibble the computer cords, anti-chew cat deterrent sprays are your sure-fire solution. The spray won’t damage the cables, but it WILL keep your kitty from making an unwanted trip to the hospital!