How to Make Cat Deterrent Repellent for Furniture

Cats make wonderful pets, but they aren't always your furniture's best friends. What's more, trying to stop your cat from clawing or getting on the furniture can be difficult. Start by making sure that the furniture is not positioned in such a way that the cat would use it to help him climb onto nearby shelving or other high areas. If your cat is urinating on or near your furniture, make sure the cat's litter box is always clean and usable. A homemade cat repellent may keep your feline friends away from your furniture.

Things You'll Need

  • Spray bottle
  • 1 cup warm water
  • 2 tbsp. scented dish soap
  • Lemon juice
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Instructions

    • 1

      Keep a small spray bottle of water near you when you are around the furniture. Spray your cat with the spray bottle whenever he tries to get onto the furniture. After being sprayed several times, he should figure out that he will get sprayed if he gets on the furniture.

    • 2

      Add 1 cup warm water to a medium-sized bowl, then add 2 tbsp. of a heavy-scented dishwashing liquid. It helps if the dish soap has a strong citrus scent, such as lemon or orange.

    • 3

      Stir the mixture well and then pour it into a spray bottle. Spray the areas around your furniture, especially near the corners and edges. Don't soak the area; just spray a small amount.

    • 4

      If the previous solution does not deter your cat, add two or three drops of natural lemon juice (instead of dish soap) to 1 cup warm water, then pour that mixture into the spray bottle.

    • 5

      Cats enjoy plants, but some scented plants have the opposite effect. For example, keeping coleus canina, lavender, rosemary, pennyroyal or rue plants around the furniture may keep your cat away (see References).