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.

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
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 – [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
Cat Repellent Outdoor, Natural Cat Deterrent Outdoor Indoor Balls with Essential Oils, Keep Cats Off Lawn, Garden, Yard, Furniture, Trash Cans, Plants – Long-Lasting Pet Deterrent Solution – Powerful Scent Barrier Stops Unwanted Behavior – Designed to disrupt territorial habits, these natural cat deterrent balls release a strong herbal scent that cats and dogs... View on Amazon
QSKUDP Cat Spray Pet System Dog Motion Activated Dog System with 1 Spray - Only Applicable to Original Replacement – 🏡【Protect The Area of Your Home】: Place the anti-spray system on the table, near the furniture or next to the trash can. The motion sensor detects... View on Amazon
OCEANPAX 8.5 X 6.5 Inch Scat Mat for Cats with 12 Garden Staples & 12 Ties, 24 Pack Cat Deterrent Mat for Garden Fence & Animal Barrier – Effective Deterrent: The 24-Pack 8.5 X 6.5 Inch Cat Scat Mat is a highly effective solution for keeping cats away from unwanted areas. The mats are... 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
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
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
Mimo Style Cat Deterrent Outdoor, Natural Peppermint Oil Cat Deterrent Outdoor Indoor, Keep Cats Off Lawn, Yard, Garden, Mulch & Flower Permanently Against Scratch and Chew, Keep Cats Away, 10 Pack – Safe Natural Peppermint Pet Deterrent: Cute Cats and dogs are our loyal friends. We should take care of them, not harm them, so do our animal... View on Amazon
diloqio Cat Spray Deterrent System, Automatic Cat Deterrent Spray, Motion Activated Pet Deterrent Spray System for Cats & Dogs Odorless Pet Deterrent, Friendly & Safe Up to 3 Feet Away White – [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
TailTrespass Cat Deterrent Spray, Natural Cat Spray Deterrent for Urine Marking & Scratching, Safe Indoor & Outdoor Effective Cat Scratch Deterrent Training Aid for Furniture - 7.0 Oz – Effective Protection Of Furniture: Our cat deterrent spray can effectively prevent cats from scratching and biting. Reduce pets from scratching furniture, carpets and plants, and prevent... View on Amazon
Rocco & Roxie Extreme Stain & Odor Eliminator for Strong Odor, Pet Urine Enzyme Cleaner Destroyer, Stain Remover for Dog Poop and Cat Pee, Enzymatic Carpet Cleaner Spray For Home, Puppy Potty Training – Eliminates Major Stains, Odors, and Residue: If it’s gross, it’s gone; From blowouts, urine, vomit, and other organic spills, our extreme formula tackles them all; Formulated... View on Amazon
Ultrasonic Cat Deterrent, Solar Powered Deterrent with Motion Sensor and Flashing Lights Outdoor Waterproof Solar Farm Garden Yard Device Dogs Cats – UGRADED ULTRASONIC CAT DETERRENT: Ultrasonic cat deterrent frequencies range from 25kHz to 61kHz. Equipped with a built-in PIR motion detection system that covers a 110 degree... 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-Natural Safe Cat Repellent,Effective Training Aid,Anti-Scratch Deterrent for Furniture, Sofas, Rugs, Curtains, Plants – [Effective Furniture Protection]: Prevents cats from scratching furniture, Sofas, Rugs, Curtains, Plants and prevents marking. Contains natural citrus extracts that prevent scratching and chewing with just... View on Amazon
Natural Peppermint Cat Repellent Balls, Outdoor & Indoor Cat Deterrent to Protect Gardens, Lawns & Furniture, 10 Packs – [Powerful Repellent Action, Stops Intrusions Naturally]: Our plant-based cat deterrent combines plant-based ingredients and essential oils to emit a scent cats and dogs hate, effectively deterring... 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
MGSDL Cat Deterrent Spray, Cat Spray Indoor - Effective Cat Scratch Furniture for Pet Behavior Training - Protector Stay Away from Restricted Areas - Indoor & Outdoor Deterrent - 2 Pack 7.0 fl.oz. – 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
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
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
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
apohen Cat Deterrent Outdoor, 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 Dog&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
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
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
VITAFOR Cat Deterrent Outdoor, 10 Pack Natural Peppermint Oil Cat Deterrent Ball Outdoor Indoor Keep Cats Out of Yard Garden Lawn Prevent Scratch and Chew – Effective Keep Cats Out - Our cat deterrent outdoor is perfect for keeping stray cats, feral cats, house cats, neighbourhood cats, out, the cat deterrent ball... 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
Panther Armor Cat Couch Protector – 18-Pack Double Sided Cat Anti Scratch Sticky Tape – Scratch Deterrent Tape, Effective Furniture Protectors from Cats – SCRATCH DETERRENT & PROTECTION - Our double-sided sticky anti scratch furniture protectors discourage cats from scratching the couch.; LARGE FLAT SHEETS - Includes 18 large sheets... View on Amazon
SINROBO Cat Deterrent Spray - Natural Cat Repellent Spray for Furniture, 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
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