Cats provide us with love and endless entertainment, but sometimes, the little creatures tear up the couch and anything else they can get their claws on. Although it’s a natural behavior for cats, scratching can cause significant damage, and it’s not likely to stop without intervention from pet parents. If you tried using scratching posts or toys to deter the behavior, but your pet continues to claw at your belongings, you can try a cat deterrent spray.
We examined the best deterrent sprays on the market and compiled reviews to assist you in choosing the ideal product for your destructive feline.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023
Rating
Image
Product
Details
Best Overall
Petlinks Scratch Stop Deterrent Training Cat Spray
Some deterrent sprays have a harsh chemical odor that makes your home smell like a hospital, but Petlinks Scratch Stop Deterrent Training Cat Spray uses lemon and eucalyptus oils to prevent scratching. It’s our best overall cat pee deterrent, and your sinuses will not suffer when you coat your furniture with this product. The Petlinks spray is made with natural ingredients, and it’s safe to use on furniture, carpet, wood, and painted surfaces. However, the manufacturer recommends testing a small patch before spraying it on painted surfaces, vinyl, or varnished wood.
Although Petlinks is not the cheapest spray on the market, it’s more affordable than most competitors. Customers were happy with the spray’s performance, but some cat owners complained that their pets ignored the scent. The deterrent is designed for adult cats, and many of the negative comments came from kitten owners. We suggest using our #4 pick if you have a kitten.
Pros
Made with natural ingredients
Environmentally friendly
Works on multiple surfaces
Affordable
Cons
Does not work with all cats
2. Four Paws Keep Off! Cat Repellent Spray – Best Value
If you’re looking for an affordable deterrent that you can use indoors or outdoors, you can try Four Paws Keep Off! Most sprays come in tiny bottles, but Four Paws’ pint-sized bottle gives you plenty of scratch protection. It’s designed to last for 24 hours, but you may have to use more outside, depending on the weather. You can protect your garden with Four Paws, but the manufacturer warns not to cover foliage with the spray. However, it’s safe to use on the soil beneath the plants.
Most customers were happy with Four Paws, but some were turned off by the chemical smell. The biggest drawback to using the spray is the vagueness of the ingredient list. Most of the components used in the formula are not listed on the bottle.
Pros
Works inside and outside
Spray lasts for 24 hours
Much cheaper than competitors
Cons
Some ingredients are not listed
3. Comfort Zone Spray & Scratch Control for Cats – Premium Choice
Instead of relying on chemicals or essential oils to correct bad behavior, Comfort Zone Spray and Scratch Control uses a formula that mimics cat pheromones to relax your pet. Unlike other products, Comfort Zone prevents scratching and marking. We love the spray’s simple recipe that’s less irritating to pet parents with sinus problems, and Comfort Zone seems to have a higher success rate than the competition. The manufacturer also mentions its product is safe to use around dogs, although it is not designed to correct canine behavior.
If you have several cats, Comfort Zone may be too expensive. It’s effective, but the 2-ounce bottle does not last very long. However, single-pet owners may be able to train their cats with only one bottle.
Pros
Safe for cats and dogs
No harsh chemicals or oils
Mimics feline pheromones
Cons
2-ounce bottle does not last long
4. 3-in-1 Cat & Kitten Training Aid with Bitter – Best for Kittens
Kittens are tiny, but their sharp claws can damage your furniture in minutes. Some sprays are only designed for adults, but 3-in-1 Cat and Kitten Training Aid can be used on kitties of all ages. It prevents scratching, and the added bitters also keep your pet from chewing up furniture or plants. The natural formula has lemongrass, rosemary, and cinnamon to keep your cat away. 3-in1 is effective for 24 hours, and you can use it on furniture, patio chairs, carpet, plants, and bedding.
Although the natural formula repels cats, the pungent aroma from the essential oils, while not offensive, may not be suitable for allergy sufferers.
Nature’s Mace Cat Repellent can keep your cat from scratching and prevent feral cats from lounging on your car or patio furniture. Unlike other outdoor repellents, you can use Nature’s Mace all year long. The chemicals in the spray are safe around children and pets, and you can use the repellent in your home and yard. Rain does not wash away the product, and after using it frequently for seven days, you only have to reapply it once a week. The spray will cover 1000 square feet, but the manufacturer recommends purchasing the concentrate if you have a large outdoor area to cover.
We were impressed that Nature’s Mace was waterproof, and many pet owners were pleased with the results. However, the spray’s strong odor may be too strong to use indoors without ventilation. We recommend using it outside and trying a less potent formula indoors.
Nature’s Miracle makes several effective pet products, and the Just for Cats Pet Block Repellent Spray uses a natural formula to keep destructive felines away. The cinnamon and lemongrass oil scent is unpleasant to cats but will not linger long indoors or irritate humans. Although it’s made for indoor or outdoor use, most customers had better luck deterring bad behavior in the house rather than the yard. It claims to have a long-lasting concentrated formula, but several customers complained that you have to use a large amount repeatedly for the best results.
Nature’s Miracle requires multiple applications, but it’s much cheaper than the competition. If you buy three bottles, Nature’s Miracle is still more affordable than purchasing a single premium brand.
Pros
Made with cinnamon and lemongrass oil
The scent is not overpowering
Affordable
Cons
Works better indoors than outdoors
Spray evaporates fast and requires several applications
The PetSafe SSSCat Spray Pet Deterrent uses an odorless gas to repel cats and dogs from furniture, kitchen areas, and trash cans. It’s ideal for cat owners who dislike strong-smelling chemicals and having to clean up sticky residue on the floor. PetSafe detects animals 3 feet away and emits a burst of gas to scare them away. Unlike other brands, it’s safe to use on your kitchen counter to keep your food prep areas sanitary and cat-free.
Although it’s a handy deterrent, it’s more expensive than any product we reviewed. You do not have to spend much on refills, but the initial payment is quite large. Another drawback of using the PetSafe deterrent is the sensitivity setting on the motion sensor. Some cat lovers mentioned that they were sprayed with the gas when they were more than 3 feet away.
Pet Mastermind Lion Tamer Scratching Deterrent Cat Spray uses a plant-based formula to prevent damage to your furniture and other household items. The limited-ingredient recipe uses pheromones to calm your kitty and stop stress-related scratching. Pet Mastermind is designed not to stain furniture or fabric, but we suggest testing a small area to be sure. Some pet parents dislike deterrents with heavy aromas, but Pet Mastermind has a subtle floral scent that’s not overpowering.
The spray was a success for most cat lovers, but some customers complained that you have to use it several times a day, unlike other brands. The costly 4-ounce bottle does not last long if you use it frequently.
Unlike the other products reviewed, Sentry Stop That! Noise and Pheromone Cat Spray emits an obnoxious noise to scare cats away and releases a calming pheromone to reduce stress. The spray emits a lavender chamomile fragrance that some customers found pleasing, but others complained that it was too overbearing. Cats seem to hate the noise, and Sentry effectively prevents bad behavior, but you have to be near your cat with the spray in your hand. Other brands allow you to spray the product and walk away, but you have to catch your cat in the act with Sentry. The 1-ounce bottle is expensive, and some cat owners mentioned that the price has increased while the quantity decreased.
Pros
Mimics a natural pheromone
Noise sends cats running
Cons
Expensive
Lavender chamomile fragrance is not pleasing to everyone
Does not prevent scratching when you’re not around
10. Cat Guard Pro Pet Safe Furniture Cat Repellent
Cat Guard Pro Pet Safe Furniture Cat Repellent uses a vegan, cruelty-free formula to repel felines, and it’s available in four scents: original, lemon, lavender, and eucalyptus. It’s the only brand on our list that comes in multiple aromas, but the original scent is too strong for some cat owners. Several customers praised Cat Guard’s performance, but others complained that it did not affect their pets. A few cat owners mentioned their furballs were attracted to the scent and did not stop scratching the furniture. It’s not the most expensive product on our list, but it’s pricey for only holding 4 ounces of repellent.
Pros
Available in four aromas
Vegan, cruelty-free formula
Cons
Some cats seem attracted to it
Original scent is too strong
Expensive
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Cat Pee Deterrent Spray
We covered several excellent deterrent sprays, but which product is ideal for your home? If you’re still undecided, you can examine these tips for inspiration.
Image Credit: Syda-Productions, Shutterstock
Training Methods
Deterrents can be practical tools for keeping your furniture intact, but you’ll have more success with the sprays when you use training methods to enforce the rules. A cat may not like the new scent on your favorite recliner, but it may choose to scratch it anyway if there are no alternatives. Scratching posts are essential items if you want to keep your pet away from the furniture, and they’re much cheaper than repairing furniture. If you place the post near the scratched furniture, your feline may decide to scratch the object that does not smell awful.
Some felines take a while to get used to a new scratching surface, but you can encourage your pet by sprinkling catnip on the post. If your pet scratches the post instead of the furniture, provide a treat and say, “good cat.” It may take several days or weeks for the animal to stop scratching, but when it realizes you’re handing out treats for scratching in the right place, the animal will leave the smelly furniture alone.
Indoor and Outdoor Sprays
We included a few products designed for indoor or outdoor use, but the products that worked best were made for only one environment. We suggest buying two sprays if you need coverage outside and in the house. If you’re using an outdoor product to keep feral cats away, you may have to use more than the amount recommended by the manufacturer. Some sprays evaporate quickly in hot weather, and wild cats may be more tolerant of strong odors than house cats. If you have a stubborn colony of feral kitties that tolerate your deterrent, you can also use scat mats combined with the spray.
Scat mats have rubber spikes that prevent animals from lying down. They will not harm the cats, but they’ll make your patio or deck less hospitable.
Image Credit: polina_tankilevitch, Pexels
Chemical Residue
Every manufacturer of deterrents recommends testing the product in a small area to ensure it does not damage or discolor the surface. That is good advice, but it does not mention that the spray can also leave a sticky residue. Most products do not make the fabric sticky, but it’s wise to test it before sitting on the furniture.
Ingredients
Although the sprays are safe for cats, some may contain ingredients that irritate your pet. If you notice the cat sneezes or has watery eyes near the sprayed area, switch to another brand. The chemicals are intended to repel cats, but they should not harm them or bother their sinuses. While your pet may be okay with the spray you choose, it may upset the other members of your family. Read the ingredient list of the deterrents you’re considering to prevent an adverse reaction to a chemical in the formula.
Image Credit: Syda Productions, Shutterstock
Fragrance
When you use an indoor spray, the smell may be too powerful for you to tolerate. Even some of the natural products have intense aromas, but you can use an odorless brand if the fragrance is a concern. However, most deterrents dissipate quickly, and the product’s scent will only be prominent for a short time.
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ADVANCED ENZYMATIC CLEANER - Penetrates the most stubborn smells and stains at the deepest molecular...
FOR ANY MESS, ON ANY SURFACE - This pet odor eliminator cleans your carpets, floors, furniture,...
Quantity and Price
Although a product’s price may be a determining factor in your decision, be sure to also look at the quantity. A spray may appear affordable until you use it and realize it runs out in 30 seconds. It’s challenging to estimate how much you’ll need to use because every cat reacts differently to the chemicals. If you need a deterrent that will not run out fast, you can try Petlinks Scratch Stop, Four Paws Keep Off, or Nature’s Mace.
Conclusion
You have several options for deterrent sprays, and we hope our reviews have made your research a little easier. Several companies make excellent sprays, but our top pick was Petlinks Scratch Stop. It keeps cats away and does not have an overpowering smell. We also liked how it works on multiple surfaces and is environmentally friendly. Our best value selection was Four Paws Keep Off! The large bottle can be used indoors and outdoors, and it’s more affordable than the competition.
Featured Image Credit: Kristi Blokhin, Shutterstock
