Having cats can be a joy, but their instincts to scratch and climb can wreak havoc on outdoor furniture. As a cat owner, it’s understandable to want to enjoy your outdoor living space while keeping your furnishings intact. With some clever deterrents and training, you can have both a cat-friendly yard and pristine patio furniture. Here are the most effective ways to keep cats off your outdoor furniture.
Keep Cats Off Furniture by Making Surfaces Unappealing
Cats scratch and climb to maintain the sharpness of their claws, mark territory, and satisfy natural instincts. One of the simplest ways to curb this behavior is to make surfaces unappealing. Here are some tactics:
Use Double-Sided Tape
Sticky paws don’t feel good on tender toe beans. Lay down strips of double-sided tape on chairs, tables, posts, or any problem area. The tape shouldn’t harm cats, only discourage them from landing there. Replace as needed.
Try Sandpaper or Foil
Similarly, affix sheets of sandpaper or aluminum foil over armrests, table edges, and other irresistible areas. The coarse textures will deter cats from clawing or sitting. You can secure them with painter’s tape.
Apply Bitter Spray
Bitter apple, orange, or citrus sprays provide a safe but unpleasant taste when a cat licks or bites. Spritz these over furniture to curb chewing and clawing urges. Reapply after rain or as needed. Check for pet-safe brands.
Arrange Stones or Pebbles
Cats dislike walking on uneven or unstable surfaces. Arrange smooth pebbles, marbles, or river rocks on chairs or tabletops to keep cats from settling there. You can affix them with outdoor adhesive for more permanence.
Use Aversives to Discourage Cats
Adding supplemental aversives can further boost your anti-cat strategy. Try these repellents:
Use Scent Repellents
Cats detest certain scents like citrus, menthol, eucalyptus or lavender. You can apply essential oils, scented sprays, or sachets to problem furniture. Reapply after rain and refresh scents regularly.
Install Motion-Activated Devices
Devices like automatic sprayers and ultrasonic, high-pitched noise deterrents activate when they sense motion. They provide a startling but harmless effect to scare cats away from forbidden areas. Use judiciously.
Make a “Scat Mat” Barrier
Special mats deliver harmless but startling vibrations or shocks when stepped on. They are more extreme than tape or foils but can effectively block access. Use caution and monitor your cat’s stress levels if trying this method.
Employ a Water Gun or Sprinkler
Motion-activated water guns or sprinklers provide an unpleasant surprise to discourage cats from an area. The surprise of water deters them without harm. Avoid methods that could soak your cat.
Use Natural Predator Repellents
The scents of natural predators like coyotes, foxes or bobcats can create a sense of unease. Look for predator urine repellents and use around furniture bases. Reapply frequently. Monitor your cat’s stress levels.
Provide Appropriate Alternatives
Giving cats suitable outlets for their scratching and climbing needs is equally important. Here’s how:
Supply Scratching Posts and Cat Trees
Provide ample, enticing scratching posts and cat towers for climbing and scratching. Use different materials like sisal, cardboard, wood, or carpeting and place them near problem furniture.
Consider Designated Cat Areas
Give your cat approved outdoor scratching surfaces and perches in the yard. Deck “catios” are enclosed cat spaces. Cat fences partition off an allowed scratch zone in the garden.
Trim Nails Regularly
Keeping your cat’s nails neatly trimmed reduces possible damage to furniture and makes scratching less satisfying. Introduce trims gently and reward with treats.
Play More with Your Cat
Extra playtime with wands, chasers, and feather toys helps satisfy your cat’s instincts to pounce and climb. Aim for at least 20-30 minutes daily.
Train Your Cat to Avoid Restricted Areas
Consistent training can reinforce boundaries. Use these tips:
Correct Early and Often
At the first sign of scratching furniture, interrupt and redirect to a scratcher. Use a firm “no” and place your cat on approved surfaces when scratching forbidden items.
Use Deterrents Proactively
Apply deterrent sprays, foils or double-sided tape preemptively to make restricted areas unappealing before damage occurs. Reapply as needed.
Reward Desired Behaviors
Give treats, praise or play when your cat uses appropriate scratching posts. Cats learn by positive reinforcement.
Be Patient and Consistent
Changing behavior takes time and routine. Stick with training tactics for at least a month. Consistency yields the best results.
Protect Furniture Proactively
Alongside training, proactively protecting furniture can save wear and tear. Ideas include:
Use Scratch-Resistant Fabrics
When buying new furniture, opt for tightly woven fabrics like canvas, denim, microfiber, or leather, which show less damage.
Get Washable Cushions and Slipcovers
Removable, washable cushion covers and slipcovers allow you to remove cat hair and replace if needed.
Cover with Protective Materials
Use clear, heavy-duty vinyl or plastic to cover cushions and seats when not in use. Secure smoothly with painter’s tape to limit appeal. Remove before use.
Block Access Beneath Furniture
Use decorative lattice, adhesives, or other barriers to prevent cats from getting beneath furniture. Cats often scratch hidden undersides.
Minimize Tempting Finials
Cats can’t resist finials on chair legs or table corners as scratching targets. Consider furniture with smoothed edges or temporary finial covers.
Bring Furniture Indoors When Not in Use
When not entertaining outdoors, keep furniture inside a shed, garage or covered area to prevent cat access.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get my cat to stop scratching my outdoor furniture?
Use deterrents like double-sided tape, cat-unappealing scents, or aversives coupled with providing suitable scratching posts. Train your cat to avoid furniture by correcting consistently and rewarding approved scratching. Trim nails regularly.
Why does my cat prefer scratching the furniture vs their own post?
Cats scratch on vertical surfaces and favor materials like furniture fabric for increased satisfaction. Make their posts appealing by using similar fabrics, placing catnip on them, and praising post use.
Is there truly scratch-proof outdoor furniture?
No furniture is fully scratch-proof, but wicker, aluminum, wood, bamboo, and rattan tend to show less obvious damage than fabrics. Mesh weaves resist snagging. Smooth furniture without finials limits appeal.
How can I stop my neighbor’s outdoor cats from scratching my furniture?
Kindly speak to your neighbor about the issue first. Dissuade neighbor cats with scent deterrents, double-sided tape, or motion-activated devices around your furniture. Providing shelves/perches on your side of the fence can also help.
What smells repel cats from yards and furniture?
Cats detest the scents of rue, citrus fruits, peppermint, citronella, lavender, lemongrass and eucalyptus. Use these scents as sprays or oils where cats aren’t allowed. Reapply after rain.
Conclusion
Preventing cats from damaging outdoor furniture takes effort but is very possible. The key is making forbidden areas unappealing, providing suitable scratching outlets, consistently training cats to avoid off-limits furniture, and protecting furnishings proactively. With strategic use of cat-friendly deterrents, appropriate scratching surfaces, patience, and positive reinforcement, you can have both outdoor furniture and cats without undue damage. Pay attention to your cat’s stress signals, introduce new training gradually, and use only humane deterrents. In time, you can redirect scratching away from patio furnishings to where you want your cat to scratch.