You and your cat need to have a serious discussion. The side of your favorite couch has been scratched…again. You have tried several options: scratching posts, scolding them, and maybe even gently spritzing them with some water as a deterrent. Nothing has worked.
If this is a repetitive scenario with your cat, something to consider is a cat repellent spray that will deter them from using your furniture as their personal toy. There are many types of sprays on the market, but it might be hard to select the right one for your cat. This article reviews the top 10 best cat repellent sprays for furniture that you can choose as the best fit for your feline and your home.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Inscape Data Pets Deterrent Spray
Effective on many cats
Helps with keeping pets away from furniture
Contains natural ingredients
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Best Value
Nature’s Miracle Cat Repellent
Budget-friendly
Contains cinnamon and lemongrass
Best for outdoor furniture
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Premium Choice
Comfort Zone Calming Cat Spray
Odorless formula
Helps calm cats rather than deter them
Helps with urine spraying
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3-in-1 Cat & Kitten Bitter Training Spray
Helps deter both chewing and scratching
Pleasant scent
Safe for all surface materials
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Paws Keep Off! Cat Repellent Spray
Good value
Good for indoor/outdoor use
Uses a chemical blend
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The 10 Best Cat Repellent Sprays for Furniture
Many cat repellents are on the market, but our top recommendation is Inscape Data Pets Deterrent Spray. It contains natural ingredients that will keep cats away from using your furniture as their personal scratching toy and prevent them from chewing on things. The bitter element is a citrus extract, which cats do not like. But the scent is still pleasant for most people in the house. You can also use this spray to deter pets from coming into certain rooms as well as it is effective on carpets and doorways.
Active ingredients: Rosemary oil, citrus extract (orange)
Plant-based: Yes
Contains bitters: Yes
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Some users of this repellent do find the orange scent to be a bit powerful, so people who are sensitive to scented products might find this cat repellent spray slightly overwhelming.
Pros
Effective on many cats
Helps with keeping pets away from furniture
Contains natural ingredients
Cons
Strong orange scent
Nature’s Miracle creates many pet-stain and odor products, so cat owners will be pleased to know that Nature’s Miracle Pet Block Cat Repellent is one of our recommendations for a budget cat repellent. This repellent uses cinnamon and lemongrass oil, which is a combination that most cats do not like. While many cat owners have successfully used this repellent to keep their cats from scratching, some have stated that their cats are not deterred by it.
Effective on many cats
Helps with keeping pets away from furniture
Contains natural ingredients
- Effective on many cats
- Helps with keeping pets away from furniture
- Contains natural ingredients
Strong orange scent
- Strong orange scent
Active ingredients: Sodium lauryl sulfate, cinnamon oil, lemongrass oil
Plant-based: Yes
Contains bitters: No
Most cat repellents take a few extra sprays before you start seeing it take effect. This repellent does need to be reapplied a bit more than some other brands, so it would not be best for use on outdoor furniture.
Pros
Budget-friendly
Contains cinnamon and lemongrass
Best for outdoor furniture
Cons
Wears off quickly
Did not work on some cats
One of our other favorite products is the Comfort Zone Spray & Scratch Control Calming Spray. This one gets a special mention because the formula for this repellent tries to mimic feline pheromones that indicate safety and comfort. Many cats scratch or spray urine due to stress or anxiety. The pheromone-like scent lets cats know this is a safe environment, thus reducing their urge to scratch. Comfort Zone Spray & Scratch takes on a different approach to keeping cats from scratching the furniture by creating a calming atmosphere instead of deterring them away due to odors they do not like. Since the active ingredients are not scented oils, this repellent is excellent for people who have sensitive sinuses.
Budget-friendly
Contains cinnamon and lemongrass
Best for outdoor furniture
- Budget-friendly
- Contains cinnamon and lemongrass
- Best for outdoor furniture
Wears off quickly
Did not work on some cats
- Wears off quickly
- Did not work on some cats
Active ingredients: Analogue of feline pheromone, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether
Plant-based: No
Contains bitters: No
One thing to consider with this product is that it only comes in small sizes: 2 ounces or 4 ounces. It can be costly to restock the repellent.
Pros
Odorless formula
Helps calm cats rather than deter them
Helps with urine spraying
Cons
Only comes in 2-oz or 4-oz sizes
A bit on the pricey side
- 3-in-1 Cat & Kitten Training Aid with Bitter Spray
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Active ingredients: Rosemary oil, lemongrass oil, cinnamon oil, and bitters
Plant-based: Yes
Contains bitters: Yes
If your cat scratches as well as chews on your furniture, our top recommendation for a cat repellent spray is the 3-in-1 Cat & Kitten Training Aid and Bitter Spray. You can use this formula for three different purposes. The first purpose is as a general repellent to spray on your furniture. The blend of the ingredients allows this formula to be sprayed on all materials. Next, this repellent contains bitters which will help keep your cat chewing on things around the house. Thirdly, you can use this formula outside because it can withstand the weather and not wash away quickly.
Odorless formula
Helps calm cats rather than deter them
Helps with urine spraying
- Odorless formula
- Helps calm cats rather than deter them
- Helps with urine spraying
Only comes in 2-oz or 4-oz sizes
A bit on the pricey side
- Only comes in 2-oz or 4-oz sizes
- A bit on the pricey side
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Active ingredients: Rosemary oil, lemongrass oil, cinnamon oil, and bitters
Plant-based: Yes
Contains bitters: Yes
Some buyers of this product say that this is not as effective on things that are not furniture, like plants and rugs.
Pros
Helps deter both chewing and scratching
Pleasant scent
Safe for all surface materials
Cons
Less effective on non-furniture items
Another good budget choice for a cat repellent spray is Four Paws Keep Off! This cat repellent spray can be used both indoors and outdoors, though some users of this product have stated they need to reapply the spray more often in outdoor settings. The Four Paws Keep Off formula uses a chemical blend rather than a scented oil blend.
Helps deter both chewing and scratching
Pleasant scent
Safe for all surface materials
- Helps deter both chewing and scratching
- Pleasant scent
- Safe for all surface materials
Less effective on non-furniture items
- Less effective on non-furniture items
Active ingredients: Methyl nonyl ketone
Plant-based: No
Contains bitters: No
Some people do not like the chemical smell; however, people have also had positive results with this product in terms of how well the cats are kept away from furniture or drapes. The directions on the bottle suggest that the spray be tested on a small patch of fabric to check for staining before applying the spray to a large area.
Pros
Good value
Good for indoor/outdoor use
Uses a chemical blend
Cons
Chemical smell
Can stain certain fabrics
For people who do not want to use scented sprays to keep their cats away from their furniture or specific rooms, we recommend the PetSafe SSSCAT Motion-Activated Cat Spray. This spray emits an odorless gas whenever your cat gets into a place that it should not: on the sofa, the kitchen countertop, or even in certain rooms. This is also a good option for people who are not at home for most of the day and cannot keep a constant eye on their scratching feline friend. If you have a few places in your home that you want to stay scratch-free, buying a few of these sprays to cover all areas can get expensive. In addition, some people have noted that they get sprayed even if they are not very close to the can.
Good value
Good for indoor/outdoor use
Uses a chemical blend
- Good value
- Good for indoor/outdoor use
- Uses a chemical blend
Chemical smell
Can stain certain fabrics
- Chemical smell
- Can stain certain fabrics
Active ingredients: HFO-1234ze gas
Plant-based: No
Contains bitters: No
Pros
Odorless
Keeps cats off furniture even when no one is home
Cons
Motion detector can be sensitive
Expensive
- Petsvv Cat Scratch Deterrent Spray – Best Plant-based Cat Repellent
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Active ingredients: Rosemary oil, peppermint oil, and lemongrass oil
Plant-based: Yes
Contains bitters: No
One of our top choices for plant-based cat repellent spray is Petsvv’s Cat Scratch Deterrent Spray. The combination of rosemary, peppermint, and lemongrass oils as the active ingredients in the plant-based formula creates a pleasant scent for the cat owners but helps keep the feline away. You can use this spray on all types of furniture, curtains, wires, and rugs. However, because this formula has scented oils as the active ingredients, some people with sensitive sinuses have found the smell overwhelming.
Odorless
Keeps cats off furniture even when no one is home
- Odorless
- Keeps cats off furniture even when no one is home
Motion detector can be sensitive
Expensive
- Motion detector can be sensitive
- Expensive
Active ingredients: Rosemary oil, peppermint oil, and lemongrass oil
Plant-based: Yes
Contains bitters: No
Also, you should not use this formula directly on plants. Some people have applied the spray directly on the foliage, which was not beneficial for the plants.
Pros
Effective on most cats
Plant-based formula
Can be used on inside and outside furniture
Cons
Not good for sensitive sinuses
- Nature’s Mace Cat Spray – Best Outdoor Cat Repellent Spray
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Active ingredients: Cinnamon oil, peppermint oil, citronella oil, garlic oil, putrescent egg, lemongrass oil
Plant-based: No
Contains bitters: Yes
Some cats love scratching on both indoor and outdoor furniture. Some cats will even go so far as to chew on some garden plants while they have the chance as well! If that is the case, our recommendation for an outdoor furniture cat repellent spray is Nature’s Mace Cat Repellent. While this repellent can be used indoors, the formula makes it able to withstand various weather conditions, hence why it is best used as an outdoor spray.
Effective on most cats
Plant-based formula
Can be used on inside and outside furniture
- Effective on most cats
- Plant-based formula
- Can be used on inside and outside furniture
Not good for sensitive sinuses
- Not good for sensitive sinuses
Active ingredients: Cinnamon oil, peppermint oil, citronella oil, garlic oil, putrescent egg, lemongrass oil
Plant-based: No
Contains bitters: Yes
Although it is an outdoor spray, it cannot be applied directly to plant leaves or flowers. Rather, spray this near the base of the plants or around the perimeter of your lawn. However, some users of this spray say that the bottle ran empty before they covered most of their lawn.
Pros
Can withstand rain and direct sunlight
Good for keeping feral or stray cats off the property
Cons
May not cover as wide an area
- Cat Guard Pro Pet Safe Furniture – Best Scented Cat Repellent Spray
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Active ingredients: Water, emulsifier, and fragrance oil
Plant-based: Yes
Contains bitters: No
Most of the cat repellent sprays only come in one scent. For cat owners who want to have some choice in their cat repellent sprays, we recommend Cat Guard Pro Pet Safe Furniture. This repellent can be purchased in four different scents: original, eucalyptus, lavender, or lemon. People with sensitive sinuses will appreciate having a choice on what they spray on their furniture. No matter which scent you choose, all four formulas are made with plant-based ingredients.
Can withstand rain and direct sunlight
Good for keeping feral or stray cats off the property
- Can withstand rain and direct sunlight
- Good for keeping feral or stray cats off the property
May not cover as wide an area
- May not cover as wide an area
Active ingredients: Water, emulsifier, and fragrance oil
Plant-based: Yes
Contains bitters: No
People who have used this product have stated it effectively keeps their cat away from their favorite scratching zones; however, this product can leave an oily residue. Use this product lightly to see how it affects your furniture.
Pros
Comes in 4different scents
Vegan and cruelty-free
Cons
Can leave an oily residue
Sometimes, cats scratch furniture, carpets, or curtains due to anxiety or stress. The cause of the stress can be for a variety of reasons, so using a calming aid can help reduce their need to stress-scratch. Our recommendation for a calming aid is Pet MasterMind Cat Spray. Instead of using scents that deter cats, this formula uses pheromones and a flower medley to help create a calm environment for your feline. Spray this in places where your cat is prone to scratching to reduce their feeling of stress or anxiety. Since this formula is not designed to repel cats entirely, there have been mixed reviews on the overall effectiveness, as some cats enjoy scratching furniture to stretch their muscles.
Comes in 4different scents
Vegan and cruelty-free
- Comes in 4different scents
- Vegan and cruelty-free
Can leave an oily residue
- Can leave an oily residue
Active ingredients: Distilled water, proprietary cat pheromone, passion and jasmine flower medley
Plant-based: Yes
Contains bitters: No
Pros
Pleasant scent
Helps reduce cat’s stress and anxiety
Cons
Does not work on some cats
Related Read: How to Cat Proof Furniture: 5 Tips and Tricks
Pleasant scent
Helps reduce cat’s stress and anxiety
- Pleasant scent
- Helps reduce cat’s stress and anxiety
Does not work on some cats
- Does not work on some cats
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting The Best Cat Repellent Furniture Spray
It can be stressful when your cat scratches on your furniture, especially if your favorite couch looks like it has been put into a blender. Some cat owners think that repellents are going to be a miracle cure for cats who scratch furniture. However, besides declawing, there is no single universal solution that will stop every cat from scratching. Plus, declawing will have many negative effects on your cat, and it is not something that many vets recommend as a furniture scratching solution.
Something that some cat owners have tried is using a scratching post in addition to using cat repellent. Cats scratch on things to keep their claws maintained and to help them to stretch their muscles. Spraying your choice of repellent on the furniture you want to keep scratch-free, as well as giving them a scratching post, will help encourage them to use the right things.
If you’re over your house smelling like you’ve got a pet, it’s time to check out the Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray! It removes even the most stubborn smells and stains and comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Click here to find out more about this amazing product.At Pet Keen, we’ve admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding products of this cool cat company!
Things to Consider When Buying Cat Repellent Spray
This list covers our top picks for varied cat repellent sprays, from plant-based to mimic-pheromone-infused formula. However, it can still be a bit hard to know which one to try. Before you buy a cat repellent spray, here are some things to consider:
Think about your sinuses. While you are getting a cat repellent spray to help save the physical state of your furniture, you also do not want to be overwhelmed by the scent. After all, you are most likely going to spray it on places that you sit and relax. Look for sprays that do not have overwhelming scents. Better yet, if you can go to a pet store and smell them yourself, you will have a much better understanding of what your nose can tolerate.
Check the ingredients. Many cat owners want to make eco-conscious choices for pet products. A lot of cat repellents are plant-based, but some do use chemicals, though. Check the ingredients to see what will work for your lifestyle as well as for your cat.
Indoors or outdoors? You might be in the unfortunate situation where your cat is clawing on both indoor and outdoor furniture. If that is the case, aim for sprays that are specifically for the outdoors. Sprays that are primarily for indoor furniture usually do last as long outdoors because of the environmental conditions.
Does your cat chew? If your cat scratches and chews, look for cat repellent sprays that contain bitters. While scents can greatly help deter your cat, bitters are an extra level of protection for the items around your home.
Think about your sinuses. While you are getting a cat repellent spray to help save the physical state of your furniture, you also do not want to be overwhelmed by the scent. After all, you are most likely going to spray it on places that you sit and relax. Look for sprays that do not have overwhelming scents. Better yet, if you can go to a pet store and smell them yourself, you will have a much better understanding of what your nose can tolerate.
Check the ingredients. Many cat owners want to make eco-conscious choices for pet products. A lot of cat repellents are plant-based, but some do use chemicals, though. Check the ingredients to see what will work for your lifestyle as well as for your cat.
Indoors or outdoors? You might be in the unfortunate situation where your cat is clawing on both indoor and outdoor furniture. If that is the case, aim for sprays that are specifically for the outdoors. Sprays that are primarily for indoor furniture usually do last as long outdoors because of the environmental conditions.
Does your cat chew? If your cat scratches and chews, look for cat repellent sprays that contain bitters. While scents can greatly help deter your cat, bitters are an extra level of protection for the items around your home.
- Think about your sinuses. While you are getting a cat repellent spray to help save the physical state of your furniture, you also do not want to be overwhelmed by the scent. After all, you are most likely going to spray it on places that you sit and relax. Look for sprays that do not have overwhelming scents. Better yet, if you can go to a pet store and smell them yourself, you will have a much better understanding of what your nose can tolerate.
- Check the ingredients. Many cat owners want to make eco-conscious choices for pet products. A lot of cat repellents are plant-based, but some do use chemicals, though. Check the ingredients to see what will work for your lifestyle as well as for your cat.
- Indoors or outdoors? You might be in the unfortunate situation where your cat is clawing on both indoor and outdoor furniture. If that is the case, aim for sprays that are specifically for the outdoors. Sprays that are primarily for indoor furniture usually do last as long outdoors because of the environmental conditions.
- Does your cat chew? If your cat scratches and chews, look for cat repellent sprays that contain bitters. While scents can greatly help deter your cat, bitters are an extra level of protection for the items around your home.
Final Thoughts
Cat repellent spray can be quite effective for many cats. However, not all cats will respond to the spray right away. It is important to let some time go by after you initially start to spray. Do not expect the cat to leave your furniture undisturbed immediately. Usually, it is best to spray the area more so the cat will start to sense the odor. Give the spray some time before you make a final decision.
Here is a quick recap on our favorites: we suggest Inscape Data Pets Deterrent Spray as our best overall pick thanks to its list of natural ingredients and high efficacy at keeping your felines away. If you want to try a repellant spray but are on a budget, try out Nature’s Miracle Pet Block Cat Repellent.
- Next on your reading list: 10 Best Cat Repellents and Deterrents in the UK – Reviews & Top Picks
Featured Image Credit: sklyareek, Shutterstock
