As a cat owner, you know there’s nothing better than cuddling up with your cat, especially after a long hard day at work. But there are some places you may not want your cat to be, like on your furniture. Not only will your furniture get covered with fur, but it can also become torn up by your kitty’s claws.
Because cats are unpredictable animals that like to jump and climb, it can be tricky to come up with a good way to keep them off your tables, chairs, beds, and other pieces of furniture. We’ve put together the following tips and tricks to help prevent your cat from jumping onto furniture you’ve deemed off-limits.
The 7 Ways to Keep Cats Off Furniture
1. Give Your Cat His Own Space
If you provide your cat with his own space, he’s likely to head there to relax rather than your furniture. A good idea is to buy a scratching post with a top perching area so your little buddy has his own place to hang out. When he’s not lounging on the top level, your cat can use the scratching post at the bottom instead of your furniture.
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2. Use a Spray Bottle
Many cat owners keep their pets off furniture by using a spray bottle filled with water. Because cats don’t generally like water, it usually only takes a quick spray or two to prevent a cat from jumping on furniture. Whenever your cat gets close to a piece of furniture and is about to jump on it, give him a quick squirt of water while telling him to get down. With any luck, your cat will stop trying to jump on your furniture as soon as you pick up the spray bottle.
3. Use Aluminum Foil
Since cats aren’t fans of aluminum foil due to how it looks, feels, and sounds when walked on, it can work to keep your cat off forbidden furniture. Simply place a few strips of aluminum foil on the furniture you want to keep your cat away from. If your cat does jump on a table, chair, or couch covered with strips of aluminum foil, he’ll most likely jump down quickly.
4. Try Double-Sided Tape
Cats hate having anything sticky on their paws. That’s why many cat owners place double-sided tape on pieces of furniture they don’t want their pets jumping on.
If you use this method, you’ll have to replace the tape frequently and be careful with what surfaces you use it on because it can leave sticky residue behind and not stick well to soft surfaces like fabric.
5. Use a Motion-Activated Spray Deterrent
You can protect your furniture with a motion-activated cat spray deterrent that automatically detects movement near off-limit zones. This type of deterrent, which comes in a battery-operated spray bottle, and is designed to detect movement and release a pet-safe deterrent spray. The spray that’s emitted is typically scented like citrus, which is not a smell cats enjoy.
6. Use Cat Training Tape
Cat training tape works the same way as double-sided tape. But unlike double-sided tape, cat training tape won’t leave a sticky residue behind. Cat training tape is also typically transparent, so it’s not as visible, which is nice if you have guests drop by now and then. Just remind your guests not to sit on the tape so they don’t end up getting their rear ends stuck to your furniture. That might be embarrassing for both of you!
7. Use Plastic Car Mats
Plastic car mats have round nubs sticking up on the backside that are not pleasant for cats to walk on. Try placing a few of these mats on your furniture upside down and see if it works to keep your cat down.
This method may be successful for you, even though you’ll have to live with looking at the unsightly mats on your chairs, tabletops, or couch for a while as your cat learns to stay off your furniture.
Conclusion
Keeping your furniture free from cat fur and scratches from sharp cat nails is always a challenge. After all, cats love to jump and climb and use various items around the house as scratching posts. Whatever method you try, stick with the plan for a week or two to see if your cat finally gets the message to stay down.
Featured Image Credit: Veera, Shutterstock
