Hepper is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

8 Best No-Scratch Sprays for Cats – 2024 Reviews and Top Picks

Nicole Cosgrove Profile Picture

By Nicole Cosgrove

a woman spraying the furnitures at home

As any cat owner knows, cats love to scratch! They do this to keep their claws sharp, trim, and healthy. Unfortunately, it’s often the places we want them to scratch the least that they choose to scratch the most! While scratching posts can help, your cat likely already has their favorite scratching spots, so you’ll need to stop them from scratching these before enticing them to their new scratching post.

Luckily, no-scratch sprays, or cat deterrent sprays, can offer a quick and inexpensive solution. There are many reasons that a deterrent spray can be useful with cats, but stopping them from using your precious furniture as scratching posts is arguably the most practical application. There is conflicting information about whether these sprays actually work, so we put them to the test!

We put together this guide of eight of our favorite no-scratch sprays complete with in-depth reviews, to help narrow the options and help you decide which no-scratch spray will work for you. Let’s get started!

A Glance at Our Winners in 2024

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Comfort Zone Cat Calming Spray Comfort Zone Cat Calming Spray
  • Odorless
  • Safe for various surfaces
  • Mimics natural cat pheromones
  • Best Value
    Second place
    SmartyKat Scratch Not Cat Spray SmartyKat Scratch Not Cat Spray
  • Inexpensive
  • A safe blend of natural ingredients
  • Environmentally friendly
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    Emmy's Stop The Scratch Spray Emmy's Stop The Scratch Spray
  • Made with natural ingredients
  • Can be safely used on most surfaces
  • Doesn’t stain
  • Pet MasterMind Claw Withdraw Pet MasterMind Claw Withdraw
  • All-natural ingredients
  • Doesn’t stain
  • 1-year guarantee
  • PetSafe SSSCAT Cat Spray PetSafe SSSCAT Cat Spray
  • Motion activated
  • 3-feet detection range
  • Emits a harmless, odorless, and stainless spray
  • The 8 Best No-Scratch Sprays for Cats

    1. Comfort Zone Scratch Control Calming Spray – Best Overall

    Comfort Zone Spray & Scratch Control Calming Spray for Cats (1)

    Size: 2 ounces
    Lifestage: Adult, kitten

    The Comfort Zone Calming Spray for cats is an odorless, drug-free formula that mimics natural cat pheromones to help stop your cat from scratching and is our top choice overall. No-scratch sprays can be a bit touch and go in regard to their efficacy, working for some cats and not for others, but Comfort Zone is ideal for cats and kittens, has a great track record, and has a money-back guarantee for added peace of mind. The spray is safe for a variety of surfaces, including wood and upholstery, and won’t stain or leave any residue behind. Best of all, the spray is odorless and perfectly safe to use around other pets too.

    This spray is difficult to fault, and the only issue that we had was the small bottle size — we wish it was bigger, considering the price.

    Pros
    • Odorless
    • Safe for various surfaces
    • Mimics natural cat pheromones
    • Money-back guarantee
    • Doesn’t stain or leave residue
    • Won’t affect other pets

    Cons
    • Small bottle for the price


    2. SmartyKat Scratch Not Cat Spray — Best Value

    SmartyKat Scratch Not Cat Spray (1)

    Size: 5 ounces
    Lifestage: Adult

    The SmartKat Scratch Not Cat Spray is the best no-scratch spray for cats for the money. The spray contains a safe blend of natural ingredients that won’t harm your cat or other pets, including lemon and eucalyptus oil, and is environmentally friendly. The spray is easy to use: Simply spray it on the areas that your cat tends to favor for scratching, and provide your feline with their scratching post nearby. The spray also comes in a large 13-ounce bottle that will provide you with months of scratch protection.

    Unfortunately, as is fairly common with these products, some customers said that this spray didn’t work for their cat, while others sang its praises. A few customers reported that the spray just needs to be reapplied two to three times per day in order to be effective.

    Pros
    • Inexpensive
    • A safe blend of natural ingredients
    • Environmentally friendly
    • Easy to use
    • Comes in a large bottle

    Cons
    • May not work for some cats
    • Needs frequent re-application


    3. Emmy’s Stop the Scratch Max Strength — Premium Option

    Emmy's Best Pet Products Stop the Scratch Max Strength Cat Scratch Deterrent Spray (1)

    Size: 8 ounces
    Lifestage: Adult

    If you’re looking for a premium, maximum-strength cat spray, Stop the Scratch cat deterrent from Emmy’s Best Pet Products should do the trick. The spray is made from pet-safe, natural ingredients like rosemary oil and lemongrass and can be used on almost any surface, from wood to drapes and flooring. The spray doesn’t leave any stains and smells great to humans but should deter most cats from scratching, hopefully convincing your cat to scratch on their dedicated scratching post only!

    Although it doesn’t stain, this spray does leave a slight soapy residue on surfaces, especially with frequent application. Also, many customers reported that the spray bottle stopped working after a few weeks.

    Pros
    • Made with natural ingredients
    • Can be safely used on most surfaces
    • Doesn’t stain
    • Pleasing smell

    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Leaves a slight soapy residue on surfaces
    • Poor quality spray bottle


    4. Pet MasterMind Claw Withdraw Scratch Deterrent

    Pet MasterMind Claw Withdraw Scratch Deterrent Cat Spray (1)

    Size: 4 ounces
    Lifestage: Adult

    Claw Withdraw cat spray from Pet Mastermind is made with an all-natural blend of ingredients, including astragalus and rosemary, and is free from harsh chemicals, making it perfectly pet safe. The formula doesn’t stain and won’t harm your furniture in any way and is covered with a 1-year satisfaction guarantee, which is great peace of mind for a product like this. While your cat will hate the smell, it’s a pleasant odor for humans and not too pungent. It’s made without artificial preservatives, parabens, or potential irritants and is a great way to keep your furniture scratch-free.

    This spray is pricey and needs to be replaced fairly often, a disappointing factor considering that it only comes in a 4-ounce bottle

    Pros
    • All-natural ingredients
    • Doesn’t stain
    • 1-year guarantee
    • Pleasant smell
    • Free from parabens, preservatives, and irritants

    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Small bottle for the price


    5. PetSafe SSSCAT Motion-Activated Dog & Cat Spray

    PetSafe SSSCAT Motion-Activated Dog & Cat Spray (1)

    Size: 89 ounces
    Lifestage: Adult, kitten, senior

    The PetSafe SSSCAT Motion-Activated cat spray uses technological innovation to keep your cat from scratching. The unit uses motion-activated infrared sensors to detect movement from up to 3 feet away, and then emits a harmless, odorless, and stainless spray to deter your cat. It can be used effectively for scratching but also for keeping your cat off counters, tables, and any other off-limit areas. The adjustable nozzle can be changed depending on your needs, and 4 AAA batteries are all that’s needed to keep your furniture scratch-free.

    As with most technology, this sensor is not consistent and unfortunately, doesn’t spray reliably when a cat comes close. Also, the refill canisters are fairly expensive and only have a 3-ounce capacity.

    Pros
    • Motion activated
    • 3-feet detection range
    • Emits a harmless, odorless, and stainless spray
    • Adjustable nozzle
    • Multiple uses

    Cons
    • Inconsistent spraying
    • Refill canisters are expensive
    • Takes batteries


    6. NaturVet Pet Organics No-Scratch for Cats

    NaturVet Pet Organics No-Scratch for Cats

    Size: 16 ounces
    Lifestage: Adult

    No-Scratch for Cats from NaturVet Pet Organics is designed to be used safely and effectively on almost any surface, from wood and drapes to carpets. The formula contains natural, herbal ingredients like clove oil, rosemary oil, and citronella oil, which smell great to humans but should deter your cat. The spray is non-staining and perfectly safe for other pets in your home, and it is proudly made in the United States.

    This product seems to work for about half the customers who used it, while other customers’ cats licked it off the furniture! Also, some people reported that it only worked when it was reapplied often, which can get expensive.

    Pros
    • Safe for most surfaces
    • Non-staining
    • Made with natural, herbal ingredients
    • Safe for other pets

    Cons
    • Doesn’t work for some cats
    • Needs frequent re-application


    7. SEGMINISMART Cat Scratch Deterrent Spray

    SEGMINISMART Cat Scratch Deterrent Spray (1)

    Size: 9 ounces
    Lifestage: Adult

    This cat deterrent spray from SEGMINISMART is non-toxic and gentle and safe for your cat, made with pleasant-smelling yet cat-deterring herbs like rosemary and lemongrass. The spray is non-staining and can be used safely on most surfaces, including floors, drapes, fabric, and plants. It is perfectly safe for other pets in your home. Simply spray the formula onto any problem area three to four times per day, and let it do its magic!

    This spray comes in a 4-ounce bottle and is comparatively expensive, and considering that you need to reapply several times per day, it won’t last long. Also, like many of these products, it had mixed results among customers.

    Pros
    • Non-toxic and pet-safe
    • Made with natural, herbal ingredients
    • Non-staining
    • Can be used on most surfaces

    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Needs frequent application
    • Small bottle


    8. Petsvv Cat Scratch Deterrent Spray

    Petsvv Cat Scratch Deterrent Spray (1)

    Size: 05 ounces
    Lifestage: Adult, kitten

    Made with natural, pet-safe ingredients like rosemary and lemongrass, the Petsvv Cat Deterrent spray has a 100% non-toxic formula for peace of mind for you and your cat. It’s safe to use on most surfaces and won’t stain or leave any residues. It’s free from harsh chemicals, alcohol, and propylene. It has a patent-pending formula to stop cats from scratching, is easy, safe, and quick to apply, and smells great!

    This spray is pricey and comes in a fairly small 4-ounce bottle that won’t last long. Also, the spray bottle itself is of poor quality, and many customers reported that it quickly got clogged and stopped spraying. Lastly, it only worked for some customers’ cats.

    Pros
    • Made with pet-safe ingredients
    • 100% non-toxic formula
    • Safe to use on most surfaces
    • Doesn’t stain or leave residues
    • Patent-pending formula

    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Small, poor-quality bottle
    • Doesn’t work for all cats

    Buyer’s Guide: Picking The Best No-Scratch Spray for Cats

    It can be extremely frustrating when your cat is scratching on your precious furniture, but luckily, there are several ways to stop the behavior. The first step is to make sure your cat has a dedicated scratching post where they can scratch to their heart’s content, and the second is to actually get your cat to use it!

    Using a deterrent spray can help because it stops your cat from scratching where they’re not supposed to and instead, leads them to the next best alternative: their scratching post. While these sprays do not work for all cats, and some work better than others, they are generally safe and non-toxic and worth a try if you are having an issue with your cats scratching your furniture.

    How do no-scratch sprays work?

    Cat deterrent sprays are simple products that contain ingredients that cats don’t like. These are usually herbal formulations that smell great to us but are pungent, off-putting smells that most cats find overwhelming. You simply spray the formula onto the surface that your cat has been scratching, and they — hopefully — will no longer find the area appealing.

    Most of these sprays are made with pet-safe, non-toxic materials that won’t stain your furniture and can be used on various surfaces. This means if your cat is scratching wood, upholstery, or your drapes, the spray should be effective. Sometimes, you may need to reapply the spray daily to get the best results, but after a while, your cat should begin to associate the area with the bad smell, and you’ll no longer need the spray.

    cleaning sofa with spray
    Image Credit: Lion Day, Shutterstock

    Things to consider when choosing a no-scratch spray

    There are many different cat deterrent products on the market, and while this can make it difficult to choose the right one, these products all have the same basic formula: a pungent smell that will deter your cat. Let’s take a look at a few of the factors to consider when purchasing one of these sprays.

    Ingredients

    This is the most important aspect to look for in a no-scratch spray. The spray should be both human and cat friendly, and it should not cause any irritation to other pets in your home. It should also have an odor that is pleasant or at least bearable to humans and not stain or leave much residue on your furniture.

    The best cat deterrents are made with water as a base and added natural herbal ingredients. These herbs have pungent odors that are pleasant to us and horrible to your cat, such as lavender, rosemary, citrus, and lemongrass. These products should be free from parabens and preservatives and not contain any alcohol, as this can damage your furniture.

    cleaning couch with disinfectant spray
    Image Credit: AngieYeoh, Shutterstock

    Effectiveness

    Naturally, you’ll want the spray that you choose to be as effective as possible. However, several factors contribute to the effectiveness of these sprays, the most obvious one being your cat. One of the reasons that there is a great deal of controversy around these products is that they simply do not work for all cats. Some cats are simply not bothered by the odors, and others seem to enjoy it!

    Some sprays are only effective for a short period, and you’ll need to reapply fairly often. This could be another contributing factor to the spray’s effectiveness, as some people may not apply enough spray or not spray the area often enough.

    Size

    Depending on how often you need to apply these sprays, it can become expensive after a while. Some of these products cost a great deal of money, so it’s important to check how often you’ll need to apply the spray versus how big the bottle is. Also, some cats may not react to the spray at all, or you may need to apply it for a while before your cat gets the idea.

    Warranty

    If the spray that you choose has a warranty of some kind, this is usually a good sign that the manufacturer has faith in the product. The effectiveness of these sprays varies widely among cats, so it’s great peace of mind if the manufacturer offers your money back if the spray doesn’t work.

    Final Thoughts

    The Comfort Zone Calming Spray for cats is our top choice overall of a no-scratch spray for cats. The spray has an odorless, drug-free formula that mimics natural cat pheromones, can be used on a variety of surfaces, and comes with a money-back guarantee for added peace of mind.

    The SmartKat Scratch Not cat spray is the best no-scratch spray for cats for the money. The spray contains a safe blend of natural ingredients that won’t harm your cat or other pets, is easy to use, and comes in a large 13-ounce bottle that will provide you with months of scratch protection.

    Since there is so much controversy around the efficacy of these products, it can be difficult to find a quality, reliable option. Hopefully, our reviews have helped narrow the options and assisted you in choosing the best no-scratch spray for your cat to keep your home and furniture scratch-free!


    Featured Image Credit: Vaillery, Shutterstock

    Related Articles

    Further Reading

    Vet Articles

    Latest Vet Answers

    The latest veterinarians' answers to questions from our database