Deterrents for Training

While positive reinforcement is often hailed as the golden standard for cat training, sometimes a gentle nudge in the other direction can be helpful. This is where deterrents come in.

Shop here for a variety of different safe deterrent products for cat training, including repellent sprays, audio deterrent devices, and mats to discourage scratching inappropriate places.

Deterrents offer an immediate way to discourage your cat from scratching furniture, chewing wires, or using inappropriate spaces like countertops. A hiss-like spray or a strategically placed piece of crinkly foil can provide a negative association with the undesired behavior, prompting them to seek out appropriate alternatives.

Cat ownership involves establishing clear boundaries for your furry friend. Deterrents can help enforce these boundaries, especially when you're not around. For example, a motion-activated air blaster near a forbidden bookshelf can become a gentle reminder to stay away.

Certain situations call for immediate action. If your cat is developing a dangerous habit like playing with electrical cords, a swift hiss or a bitter-tasting spray can offer a crucial deterrent, potentially preventing harm.

Deterrents are tools, not punishments. They should be used sparingly and humanely, focusing on redirecting behavior rather than causing fear or distress. Positive reinforcement should always be the main focus of your training journey, with deterrents acting as a gentle guide when needed.

Motion-Activated Pet Proofing Repellent

This is an unscented motion-activated spray that can be used to deter pets from being in or on areas that you want them to avoid.

Double-Sided Cat Scratching Deterrent Tape

Save your couch and other furniture from being scratched up by your cat by using this specially designed tape as a scratching deterrent.

Acctndok Enhanced Cat Deterrent Spray, Natural Safe Cat Repellent Indoor and Outdoor, Effective Cat Scratch Deterrent Training Aid for Furniture, Sofas, Rugs, Curtain Protection (Circus) – 【Trainer Rec | Protecting Furniture and Couch】Our Enhanced Cat deterrent spray can prevent cats from scratching Furniture, Rugs and Plants, preventing marking. Contains natural citrus extract... View on Amazon
Cat Deterrent Spray 100% Natural Cat Spray Deterrent for Urine Marking & Scratching - Eco Friendly, Safe to Use Around Children and Pets, Safe for Use on Furniture and Fabric, Works Indoor & Outdoor – EFFECTIVE FURNITURE PROTECTION:Our cat deterrent spray provides reliable protection against unwanted scratching and chewing behaviors. Protect your furniture, curtains and carpets from cat damage with our... View on Amazon
Cat Spray Deterrent System, Automatic Cat Deterrent Spray, Motion Activated Pet Deterrent Spray System for Cats & Dogs Odorless Pet Deterrent, Senses Pets Up to 3 Feet Away, Friendly & Safe Black – [Motion Activated] Experience the power of a motion activated cat deterrent with the Automatic Spray Pet Deterrent. This pet deterrent for indoor use is designed to... View on Amazon
Bodhi Dog 3-in-1 Cat & Kitten Training Aid - Cat Deterrent Spray for Indoor and Outdoor Use - Protect Furniture, Rugs and Plants - Establish Boundaries & Keep Felines Off - Made in USA (8 Fl Oz) – TRAIN YOUR CAT TO STAY AWAY FROM TREATED AREAS: Live in harmony and establish boundaries with your kitten or cat with Bodhi Dog 3-in-1 Cat &... View on Amazon
Aocoray 8 Pack Cat Deterrent Outdoor/Indoor Scat Mat, Pet Deterrent Training Mats, Keep Cats/Dogs Away Plastic Mats with Spikes, 12 Sq.ft, 16 x 13 Inches – 【Large Area Coverage】8 pack easy to cover a larger area, and each splicable(with rope or cable ties) cat deterrent scat mat can protect up to 16... View on Amazon
10Pack Cat Repellent Outdoor & Indoor: Natural Cat Deterrent Essential Oils Ball-Natural Extract Essential Oil, Anti Cat Scratch for Furniture, Keep Cats Off Yard Garden Lawn Plants Trash Can (10Pack) – 🐱【Powerful Dog&Cat Repellent】Our cat repellent uses pure natural plant extracts and does not contain camphor or other inferior irritating odors. Our natural cat repellent is perfect... View on Amazon
Homarden Set of 10 Cat Deterrent Pad - Cat Scratch Furniture Protector with 1 Inch Spikes - Keep Cats Out of Yard Permanently - 16 x 13 in Flexible Plastic Spike Mats for Indoor Outdoor Use - Black – Pet-Friendly: Features 1 inch plastic spikes that help deter cats and dogs from scratching or digging; a cat deterrent mat that gently protects your furniture and... View on Amazon
FELIWAY® MultiCat 3 x 30 Day Cat Calming Refills for Pheromone Diffuser, 3 x 48ml Value Pack- Helps Reduce Conflicts and Signs of Tension in Multi-Cat Households – REFILL PACK INCLUDES: FELIWAY MultiCat refill value pack contains 3 x 48ml refills, compatible with a FELIWAY MultiCat diffuser.; HELPS REDUCE COMMON SIGNS OF TENSION BETWEEN... View on Amazon
Cat Spray Deterrent System [2 Pack] Automatic Cat Deterrent Spray, Motion Activated System for Cats & Dogs Odorless Pet Deterrent, Senses Pets Up to 3 Feet Away, Friendly & Safe Pet Deterrent Spray – [Motion Activated] Experience the power of a motion activated cat deterrent with the Automatic Spray Pet Deterrent. This pet deterrent for indoor use is designed to... View on Amazon
Nature's Miracle Advanced Platinum Cat Pet Block Repellent Spray, 8 Ounces, Indoor Training Aid for Cats – FORMULATED TO HELP KEEP PETS AWAY FROM TREATED AREAS: Repellent scent acts as a signal telling cats to stay away from the treated areas; FOR INDOOR... View on Amazon
Cat Deterrent Spray 200ML, Cat Repellent Spray – Natural Cat Training Spray for Indoor & Outdoor Use, No Trace Formula to Protect Furniture & Garden – SAFE & EFFECTIVE FORMULA - Our cat training spray features a natural formula made from Lemon extract, and Citronella extract, Plant Active Agent ect. Ensuring it... View on Amazon
ohlela 16 Pack Upgraded Scat Mat for Cats - 16 x 13 Inch Cat Spikes with 1 Inch Spike is an Useful Cat Repellent Indoor & Outdoor Mat to Deter Pets. Dog Deterrent Indoor with 23sqft Area Coverage – [Cat Repellent Outdoor To Keep Cats Away] - Our cat scat mat helps to prevent cats, dogs and other animals damaging your plants, furniture, garden, car.... View on Amazon
SINROBO Cat Deterrent Spray - Natural Cat Repellent Spray for Furniture, Safe Indoor & Outdoor Training Aid for Urine Marking & Anti-Scratch (1 Pcs) – Natural & Safe: SINROBO cat deterrent spray is formulated with natural plant ingredients such as peppermint extract, witch hazel extract and lemon extract. It has a... View on Amazon
PetSafe SSSCAT Motion Activated Automatic Spray Pet Deterrent for Cats and Dogs – Motion Sensor Spray Deterrent: This indoor pet deterrent is designed to protect furniture, countertops, plants, garbage cans and more, discouraging your dog or cat from chewing,... View on Amazon
JAMBOS Cat Deterrent Spray - Safe Indoor & Outdoor Deterrent for Furniture Protection, Effective Training Aid with Natural Ingredients - Non-Toxic Anti-Scratch Formula for Cats and Kittens Blue – Effective Furniture Protection: Our cat deterrent spray provides reliable protection against unwanted scratching and chewing behavior. Safeguard your furniture, curtains, and carpets from cat damage with... View on Amazon
SINROBO Cat Deterrent Spray - Safe Indoor & Outdoor Training Aid for Urine Marking & Anti-Scratch – Natural & Safe: SINROBO cat deterrent spray is formulated with natural plant ingredients such as peppermint extract, witch hazel extract and lemon extract. It has a... View on Amazon
FixZilla Anti Cat Scratch Furniture Protector, 10-Pack Couch Protector from Cat Claws - Heavy-Duty, Easy-to-Apply Scratching Deterrent and Shield for Sofa Corners, Walls, Doors- with 50 Twist Pins – Effective - Cat scratch deterrent for furniture and stop cats from scratching furniture. These adhesive cat scratch protectors for furniture reliably defend upholstery against clawing &... View on Amazon
Sofisti-Cat Training Tape, Cat Tape for Furniture, Scratch Deterrent Keep Cats from Scratching Furniture with Our Double -Sided Repellent, 2.5" x 15' Roll – LOVE YOUR CAT, SAVE YOUR SOFA! - Tired of your cat scratching and destroying your furniture? Our humane cat tape for furniture solution eliminates clawing of... View on Amazon
Aocoray 14 Pack Scat Mat for Cats - 16 x 13 Inch Cat Spike Mat with 1 Inch Spike, Cat Repellent Indoor & Outdoor Mat to Deter Cats & Other Animals, Humane Deterrent Indoor Fence – 【Large Area Coverage】14 pack easy to cover a larger area, and each interlocking cat deterrent scat mat can protect up to 16 x 13 inches for... View on Amazon
YITESHI 10 Packs Scat Mat for Cats, 13X16 inches Pet Deterrent Spikes, Indoor Outdoor Humane Cat Repellent Fence (Transparent) – Easy to use: The cat deterrent indoor mat made of high-density lightweight new PET material, the size is 13X16 inches, it can be arbitrarily cut into... View on Amazon
Petfolio 12 Pack Scat Mat for Cats - 16 x 13 Inch Cat Spike Mat with 1 Inch Spike is A Perfect Pet Training Mat Device for Cat Repellent Indoor & Outdoor to Deter Cats & Other Animals for All Seasons – [Effective Humane Solution] - Our durable and animal-friendly cat counter deterrent mat is made of plastic, it is not intended to hurt pets, but help in... View on Amazon
apohen Cat Repellent Outdoor to Keep Cats Away, Natural Peppermint Oil Cat Deterrent Outdoor and Indoor, Keep Cats Out of Yard Permanently, Protect Your Yard and Furniture, 10 Count (Pack of 1) – 🐱【Powerful Cat Deterrent】Our plant-based cat deterrent is perfect for gently repelling stray cats, house cats, neighbourhood cats, stray dogs, etc. By emitting an odour that is... View on Amazon
FELIWAY® Optimum 30 Day Cat Calming Plug In Pheromone Diffuser Starter Kit, 48ml - Helps Reduce Common Signs of Stress in Cats & Kittens, Enhanced Calming – REDUCES COMMON SIGNS OF CAT STRESS: FELIWAY Optimum helps reduce common signs of cat stress such as urine spraying, scratching, fears, and tensions & conflicts. Cat... View on Amazon
Cat Deterrent Spray Natural Safe Cat Repellent Indoor & Outdoor, Effective Training Aid, Anti-Scratch Deterrent for Furniture, Sofas, Rugs, Citrus cat Deterrent Spray Non-Toxic(ice Blue) – [Effective Furniture Protection]: Prevents cats from scratching furniture, Sofas, Rugs, Curtains, Plants and prevents marking. Natural citrus cat deterrent spray that prevents scratching and chewing with... View on Amazon
Nature's Miracle Advanced Platinum No More Spraying, 24 Ounces, Helps Discourage Repetitive Cat Spraying – HELPS DISCOURAGE REPETITIVE SPRAYING: Formulated to deter cats from revisiting and spraying the same spot twice; FOR INDOOR TRAINING: Ideal solution when trying to break cats’... View on Amazon
Nature's Mace Cat Mace, Cat Repellent Outdoor to Keep Cats Away, 1 Gallon Spray, Helps Deter Cats Over Time with Consistent Use, Training Tool, Scratch Deterrent, Pee Deterrent, Chewing, Plant Safe – A GREAT TRAINING TOOL - Cat MACE is used as both a cat repellent and a powerful training tool for indoor and outdoor use. With frequent... View on Amazon
OCEANPAX 6.5ft Scat Mat for Cats with Spikes, Prickle Strips Network Digging Stopper Outdoor Spike Deterrent Mat, 78 inch x 11 inch – Climate Pledge Friendly Certified:As an Amazon-certified sustainable choice, our scat mat helps households shrink their ecological footprint. The biobased manufacturing process and energy-efficient design eliminate 2KG... View on Amazon
PetSafe ScatMat Indoor Electric Training Mat for Cats & Dogs, Strip, 46" x 3" – Training Mat: Place ScatMat on countertops, the couch, in doorways or near trash cans to teach dogs and cats which areas are off-limits; When your pet... View on Amazon
Racgrul Cat Repellent Outdoor, Cat Deterrent Outdoor Indoor Balls, Long-Lasting Plant-Based Formula to Help Keep Cats Away from Yard, Garden, Lawn, Plants, Furniture, Trash Cans (2) – Cat Repellent Outdoor & Indoor Use – Designed with a plant-based formula, these deterrent balls help keep cats away from gardens, lawns, plants, and furniture, supporting... View on Amazon