Best Anti Scratch Spray for Cats

Annabelle Evans

By Annabelle Evans

| Updated 3 Days Ago

  • If your cat’s claws are putting your furniture in jeopardy, anti-scratch sprays might be the simple solution you need. These sprays work by using cat-repellent scents, typically from natural essential oils, to steer your feline away from scratching areas you want to protect—without posing any harm to your pet. We looked at ease of use, lasting power, and the balance between effective deterrence and minimal impact on your home’s ambiance to find the best options. Here’s what we found when we tested top anti-scratch sprays to keep your home scratch-free and your cat content.

  • Nature’s Miracle Cat Scratch Spray

    10

    We think this spray is a decent option for cat owners looking to protect their furniture, but results may vary.

    10

    We think this spray is a decent option for cat owners looking to protect their furniture, but results may vary.

    Pros

    • Pleasant scent
    • Easy to apply
    • Safe for use on various surfaces

    Cons

    • Effectiveness can be inconsistent
    • May need frequent reapplication
    • Some cats seem unaffected

    We tried Nature’s Miracle Cat Scratch Deterrent Spray on our furniture and found it had a nice smell. The spray was simple to use, and we liked that it’s safe for many household items.

    In our tests, some cats stopped scratching right away. But others didn’t seem to care much. We had to spray it daily to keep it working. This might be a hassle for busy pet owners.

    The bottle is a good size and lasts a while. We think it’s worth a try if your cat is scratching furniture. Just keep in mind it might not work for every cat. It could be part of a bigger plan to stop scratching, along with cat trees and nail trims.

  • SmartyKat Scratch Deterrent

    9.7

    We think this spray is worth trying for cat owners looking to protect their furniture, but results may vary depending on your cat.

    9.7

    We think this spray is worth trying for cat owners looking to protect their furniture, but results may vary depending on your cat.

    Pros

    • Pleasant lemon and eucalyptus scent
    • Easy to use spray bottle
    • Doesn’t leave visible residue

    Cons

    • Not effective for all cats
    • May damage some surfaces
    • Needs frequent reapplication

    We tested the SmartyKat Scratch Not Spray on various surfaces in our home. The spray has a nice citrus smell that isn’t too strong for humans. It was simple to use – we just sprayed it on areas our cats liked to scratch.

    Our cats seemed put off by the scent at first. They avoided the sprayed areas for a few days. But we noticed we had to reapply it often to keep it working. Some of our more determined cats went back to scratching after the smell faded.

    We liked that the spray didn’t leave any visible marks on our furniture or walls. But we recommend testing it on a small hidden spot first. The spray damaged the finish on one of our wooden chairs. It works best on fabric surfaces like couches and curtains.

  • RUNMAT Cat Deterrent Spray

    9.5

    We think this spray is a great choice for cat owners looking to protect their furniture and train their pets.

    9.5

    We think this spray is a great choice for cat owners looking to protect their furniture and train their pets.

    Pros

    • Works well indoors and outdoors
    • Made with natural, pet-safe ingredients
    • Doesn’t stain surfaces

    Cons

    • May need frequent reapplication
    • Some cats might not be deterred
    • Scent may be strong for humans

    We tried this RUNMAT spray on our furniture and were happy with the results. It’s easy to use and doesn’t leave any marks on fabrics or wood. The natural ingredients gave us peace of mind about using it around our cats.

    Our test cats seemed to avoid the sprayed areas after just a few applications. We noticed they stopped scratching our couch and instead used their scratching post more often. The spray has a strong citrus smell that fades after a while, but it might bother some people at first.

    We found this product works best when used as part of a training plan. It’s not a magic fix, but it can help teach cats which areas are off-limits. We had to reapply it every few days to keep it working well. For stubborn cats, you might need to try other methods too.

  • VICSOM Cat Deterrent Spray

    9.4

    We found this natural cat repellent spray to be a decent option for discouraging scratching, though results may vary.

    9.4

    We found this natural cat repellent spray to be a decent option for discouraging scratching, though results may vary.

    Pros

    • Natural ingredients safe for pets
    • Works indoors and outdoors
    • Pleasant scent

    Cons

    • May need frequent reapplication
    • Some cats ignore it
    • Small bottle size

    We tested the VICSOM Cat Deterrent Spray on our furniture and plants. The spray has a nice smell that isn’t too strong. We liked that it uses natural ingredients, so we felt safe using it around our cats.

    Our cats seemed to avoid the areas we sprayed at first. But after a few days, some of them went back to scratching. We had to reapply the spray often to keep it working. This was a bit annoying, but not a deal breaker.

    The bottle is on the small side at 6.76 ounces. We went through it pretty fast with daily use. While not perfect, this spray could be worth trying if you’re looking for a gentle way to protect your stuff from cat scratches. Just don’t expect miracles – some cats are more stubborn than others!

  • Bodhi Dog Cat Training Spray

    9.3

    We think this spray is a decent option for cat owners looking to deter scratching, but it may not work for all cats.

    9.3

    We think this spray is a decent option for cat owners looking to deter scratching, but it may not work for all cats.

    Pros

    • Pleasant ginger scent for humans
    • Can be used indoors and outdoors
    • Made in the USA with eco-friendly practices

    Cons

    • Mixed results in effectiveness
    • Strong smell if overused
    • Pump spray bottle can malfunction

    We tested the Bodhi Dog Cat Training Spray on various surfaces in our home. The ginger scent was nice for us, but our cats had different reactions. Some avoided the sprayed areas, while others seemed unfazed.

    The spray worked well on furniture and drapes. We noticed a decrease in scratching on these items. But it didn’t stop all unwanted behavior. Our cats still jumped on counters and tables sometimes.

    We liked that it’s made in the USA with eco-friendly practices. The spray didn’t stain our surfaces. But be careful not to use too much. A heavy application left a strong smell that was hard to get rid of. The pump on our bottle also stopped working properly after a few uses.

  • Colton’s Natural Cat Trainer

    9.1

    We think this spray is a smart buy for cat owners looking to protect their furniture and train their felines.

    9.1

    We think this spray is a smart buy for cat owners looking to protect their furniture and train their felines.

    Pros

    • Natural, plant-based formula
    • Works for both indoor and outdoor use
    • Large 32 oz bottle

    Cons

    • May need frequent reapplication
    • Some cats might not respond to it
    • Citrus scent may not appeal to everyone

    This spray has become our go-to solution for deterring cats from scratching furniture. We found its citrus scent pleasant, but it really puts cats off. The bitter taste adds an extra layer of discouragement.

    We tried it on various surfaces – curtains, carpets, and even outdoor plants. It worked well in most cases. The spray is easy to use, and we liked that it’s made from natural ingredients. This made us feel safe using it around our homes.

    The 32 oz bottle lasted us quite a while. We did need to spray daily at first to establish new habits for our cats. After about a week, we saw a real change in their behavior. It’s not an instant fix, but with some patience, it does the job nicely.

  • Nature’s Miracle Cat Repellent

    9

    We found this spray to be hit-or-miss for keeping cats away from furniture and plants.

    9

    We found this spray to be hit-or-miss for keeping cats away from furniture and plants.

    Pros

    • Pleasant scent
    • Easy to apply
    • Safe for use around pets when used as directed

    Cons

    • Requires frequent reapplication
    • Mixed results in deterring cats
    • Strong initial smell

    We tested Nature’s Miracle Cat Repellent on various surfaces in our home. The spray was simple to use, and we liked its fresh scent. It didn’t stain our furniture or harm our plants.

    Some of our cats seemed put off by the smell at first. We noticed they avoided freshly sprayed areas for a short time. But the effect didn’t last long. We had to spray daily to see any results.

    Not all cats reacted the same way. A few ignored the spray completely, while others stayed away. The strong smell faded quickly for humans, which was nice. But it also meant it stopped working on the cats. We think it’s worth a try if you have mild cat behavior issues, but don’t expect miracles.

  • NaturVet No Scratch Cat Spray

    8.7

    We think this spray is worth trying for cat owners dealing with unwanted scratching, but results may vary.

    8.7

    We think this spray is worth trying for cat owners dealing with unwanted scratching, but results may vary.

    Pros

    • Safe for use on most surfaces
    • Non-toxic and chemical-free formula
    • Can be used both indoors and outdoors

    Cons

    • Needs frequent reapplication
    • Strong scent some may dislike
    • Mixed effectiveness for different cats

    We tested NaturVet’s No Scratch spray on several pieces of furniture our cats love to claw. The spray was easy to apply and didn’t leave any visible residue on fabrics or carpets. We liked that it’s made without harsh chemicals, making it safe to use around pets.

    After spraying target areas twice daily for a week, we saw a decrease in scratching on most items. However, one particularly determined cat still went after her favorite chair. The spray seems to work better as a preventative measure on new items rather than breaking established habits.

    The scent is quite strong at first. While not unpleasant, it might be off-putting to some people and cats. We found we needed to reapply every couple of days to maintain effectiveness. This could get expensive over time for multi-cat households. Overall, it’s a decent option to try, but don’t expect miracles for every scratching situation.

  • QMJUDB Cat Deterrent Spray

    8.7

    We can’t recommend this spray due to its ineffectiveness and strong odor.

    8.7

    We can’t recommend this spray due to its ineffectiveness and strong odor.

    Pros

    • Easy to use
    • Safe for indoor and outdoor use
    • Can be applied to many surfaces

    Cons

    • Very strong smell
    • Ineffective for some users
    • Needs frequent reapplication

    We tried the QMJUDB Cat Deterrent Spray hoping it would keep our feline friends off the furniture. Sadly, it fell short of our expectations. The spray was simple to use – we just sprayed it on the areas we wanted to protect. But that’s where the positives ended.

    The smell was overwhelming. Even in a well-ventilated room, the scent was too strong for our liking. We had to open all the windows to get some fresh air. What’s worse, it didn’t seem to bother our cats at all. They kept scratching and jumping on the furniture as if nothing had changed.

    We gave it a fair shot, applying it 3-4 times a day for a month as suggested. But we saw little improvement. Some cats seemed slightly deterred, while others ignored it completely. The need for such frequent reapplication also felt like a hassle. In the end, we felt like we might as well have used water. For the price, we expected much better results.

  • WEALLIN Cat Deterrent Spray

    8.6

    We think this spray shows promise for protecting furniture, but its effectiveness may vary between cats.

    8.6

    We think this spray shows promise for protecting furniture, but its effectiveness may vary between cats.

    Pros

    • Natural ingredients safe for pets
    • Works indoors and outdoors
    • Pleasant citrus scent

    Cons

    • May require frequent reapplication
    • Some cats ignore it
    • Takes time to see results

    We tried out this WEALLIN spray on our furniture and were pleased with its natural citrus scent. The bottle was easy to use, and we didn’t worry about it harming our cats. We sprayed it on chair legs and sofa corners where our cats liked to scratch.

    At first, our cats seemed unfazed. But after a few days of regular use, we noticed them avoiding the treated areas more often. It wasn’t a perfect solution – one of our cats still scratched now and then. But overall, we saw less damage to our furniture.

    The spray didn’t stain or leave marks on our things, which was great. We had to reapply it every day or two to keep it working. While not a miracle cure, we found this spray helpful as part of our efforts to protect our furniture from cat scratches. Just remember it may take some time and patience to see results.

Buying Guide

When shopping for an anti-scratch spray for cats, we recommend considering these key factors:

Ingredients

Look for natural, non-toxic ingredients that are safe for cats. Avoid harsh chemicals or strong fragrances that may irritate your pet.

Effectiveness

Choose a spray that has been proven to deter scratching behavior. Read reviews from other cat owners to gauge real-world results.

Ease of Use

Pick a product with a convenient spray nozzle for easy application on furniture and other surfaces. The spray should dry quickly without leaving residue.

Scent

Many cats dislike citrus or herbal scents. A light, pleasant odor for humans that cats find unappealing can be ideal.

Long-Lasting

We suggest selecting a formula that doesn’t need frequent reapplication. This saves time and ensures consistent protection.

Multi-Surface Use

The best sprays work on various materials like wood, fabric, and carpet without causing damage or stains.

Value

Compare price per ounce across brands. A more concentrated formula may offer better value, even at a higher upfront cost.

This table summarizes key features to evaluate:

FeatureWhat to Look For
IngredientsNatural, non-toxic
ScentLight, cat-deterring
ApplicationEasy-spray nozzle
SurfacesSafe for multiple materials
LongevityLong-lasting formula

By weighing these factors, you can find an anti-scratch spray that works well for your cat and home.