Deterrents for Problem Cat Behavior
Copyright Denver Dumb Friends League and Humane Society of the United States. All rights reserved.

Determining an effective aversive reaction for your cat is definitely a case of trial-and-error, as individual preferences will vary with each cat. This is often the best method to discourage a cat from a particular action or place, but will seldom work effectively without offering an alternative that is both convenient and rewarding.

Texture
You may need to weight the "material" firmly or tape it in order for it to stay put. To protect furniture or floor finish from sticky substances, attach them to a piece of foil or heavy plastic and secure that with weights or light tape.
Indoors:

• Shelf paper (sticky side up)
• Double-sided carpet tape
• Heavy foil

Outdoors:

• Irregular or sharp rocks, firmly set into dirt
• Chicken wire, firmly set into dirt (sharp edges rolled under)

Both: Heavy plastic carpet runner (pointed side up)

Smell
Soak cotton balls, rags or washcloths in the "stinky" substance. To help protect carpets, upholstery, floors or furniture, place the saturated object on a piece of weighted foil or heavy plastic. To prevent the substance from seeping into the ground, use the same precautions. Outdoor substances need to be reapplied daily, due to quicker dissipation into the air.

Indoors & Outdoors:

• Insect repellent, especially those containing citronella and/or citrus odors (check for toxicity - if safe for young children, it's generally safe for pets) w Citric odors - colognes, concentrated juices or fresh peels
• Annoying colognes w Some muscle rubs (NOTE: some cats react to menthol as they do to catnip - beware!)
• Aloe gel

Taste
Some of these substances may damage furniture or floor finishes, so be sure to test them in a hidden location before widespread use. Except for hot sauce and cayenne pepper, these substances should be safe to apply to most people's skin, however, some individuals may be sensitive to them.

• Bitter Apple or similar sprays and gels marketed specifically for taste aversion
• Insect repellents, especially those containing citronella or citrus odors (check for toxicity, if it's safe for young children, it's generally safe for pets)
• Some hot sauces
• Cayenne pepper
• Some muscle rubs
• Citric odors (colognes, concentrated juices or fresh peels)
• Aloe gel

Surprise!
Remote Controlled Deterrents:

• Motion detector that reacts with a startling sound
• Snappy Trainer (upside-down mouse trap that's securely taped under paper to avoid contact)
• Aluminum pie plate containing water, beans or pebbles -- preferably balanced precariously on a counter or other undesirable "jumping" surface
• Scat Mat (very slight electrical shock)

Human Controlled Deterrents:
Use these to get your cat's attention, and thereby offer an appropriate alternative.

• Spray bottle or squirt gun filled with water or a combination of water and vinegar (NOTE: avoid the super-duper water guns that have a very forceful spray)
• Whistle
• Shaker can (soda can containing nails, pennies, beans or pebbles - securely taped shut)

WARNING: For fearful cats, try everything else before trying surprise techniques, especially those using noises!

If you would like further assistance with this, or another pet behavior topic, please contact our Behavior Helpline at (314) 951-1540 or e-mail behavior.desk@hsmo.org.
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