What Can I Spray to Keep Cats From Peeing on My Outdoor Furniture?

If your outdoor furniture develops a strong urine smell, you can be sure that a cat bypassed the grass and dirt and used your furniture as a cat box. You can also be sure that the perpetrator will return. The ammonia smell in cats' urine draws them back to the scene of the crime repeatedly, so the first order of business is to clean the furniture thoroughly with a non-ammonia-based cleaner. Once the furniture is properly cleaned, you will need to spray it with something to repel the cat. Several options are available.

  1. Natural Homemade Sprays

    • Apply homemade sprays frequently for best results.

      Cats often dislike oranges, so a citrus-based spray may keep cats off the lawn furniture. Citronella has a similar deterrent effect, as do ginger, lavender, lemongrass, cinnamon and rosemary. Make a spray by combining citrus oil, and lemon or orange peels with any of these herbs and adding to 3 cups of boiling water. Cover tightly and let the mixture sit overnight. Transfer to a spray bottle. Add 1/2 cup vinegar to the cooled mixture to combat any remaining urine odors.

    Commercial Sprays and Powders

    • Test a hidden area to ensure the repellent will not damage the furniture.

      Commercial cat repellent sprays are extremely effective when applied often. Some, like Bitter Apple Spray and Four Paws Dog and Cat Repellent, taste unbearable. The non-toxic formula gets on the animals' paws and tastes bad when they groom themselves, teaching them to avoid the treated areas. Other repellents, like the organic Shake-Away Outdoor Cat Repellent powder, have an odor that cats find unpleasant. Shake-Away mimics the odors of fox and coyote urine. These animals are cats' natural enemies, so cats avoid any area with this odor.

    Household Cleaners and Air Fresheners

    • Citrus-based household cleaners leave a strong scent that cats dislike.

      Many household cleaners and air fresheners contain citrus ingredients and work effectively as cat repellents. Check the ingredients to make sure the product is non-toxic, to avoid harming the cats. Test a small hidden area to prevent possible damage to your furniture. Spray the outdoor furniture liberally with air fresheners or wipe it with a sponge soaked in a citrus-based cleaner.

    Electronic Sprayers

    • Electronic repellents initially cost more than commercial or homemade sprays, but they are very effective and do not require the frequent reapplications of sprays, saving money in the long term. The battery-operated Multivet SSSCat Training Aid uses motion detection combined with an automatic sprayer to douse cats with a safe gaseous spray when they get near the off-limits area. The combination of shock and unpleasant spray deters cats from returning. Stay Away automatic cat repellent combines motion detection with compressed air to blast the cat with a harmless spray, scaring it away. The Havahart Spray Away Repellent and the Scarecrow Outdoor Cat Repellent both use water in a similar fashion, spraying cats whenever they approach the forbidden area.