Most of the time, the cat is doing something that comes naturally, like scratching. It’s something the cat needs to do, just like grooming or burying waste. You don’t want to punish that—you just don’t want your cat to do it there.
The squirt bottle might seem to work in that you never see your cat engaging in the problem behavior. But, rest assured, it’s still doing it when you’re not around. For example, you can squirt your cat and it’ll stop scratching your couch. Problem solved, right? Nope—it’ll just wait until you’re gone to declare open season on couch scratching.
You might also end up with a cat that’s afraid of spray bottles. This could be a problem if you’re trying to use a flea spray or other medication that comes in a spray bottle.
Being under constant stress also affects your cat’s health, just as it would yours. If you want a happy, healthy companion animal, squirting it with water is not the answer.
It’s possible that your cat will get used to the canister over time, or come up with some way to avoid it—cats are clever, after all! Adjust the position of the canister occasionally so that your cat won’t anticipate it. You still want to find acceptable replacements to the behavior your cat is expressing—otherwise, it’ll just find something else to get into. For example, if your cat is counter surfing because it likes the view from up high, get it a perch.
You can also do this on shelves or counters. You might also wrap your cords in double-sided sticky tape if your cat likes chewing on those. [6] X Research source Try wrapping a shelf or furniture in aluminum foil if you don’t want to use something sticky. Cats don’t like how aluminum foil feels, so they’ll stay away from it. [7] X Research source
Test a small, inconspicuous area first to make sure the spray won’t stain or damage the surface. One downside of this option is that if it works, your cat won’t go anywhere near whatever you sprayed. So if you want your cat to come snuggle with you on the sofa but not scratch the sofa, a spray won’t do the job for you. Use a plant-safe cat repellent spray for your plants. Cats will instinctually chew on your plants, so the spray is handy if you can’t move your plants to an inaccessible spot. [9] X Research source
For example, suppose you have a bowl of snacks on the counter for convenience and your cat always jumps on the counter to get the snacks. Relocate the snacks to a cabinet and see if that solves the problem. If your cat is scratching your furniture, you might be able to arrange it in such a way that your cat no longer has adequate room to scratch. For example, you might put a chair against a wall so your cat can’t get to the back.
For example, if you prefer a quiet cat, you can train your cat to be quiet by ignoring it whenever it meows at you. Couple that with rewards when it’s quiet and you’ll have a well-behaved cat in no time flat. Eliminate any other reasons your cat might be doing whatever it’s doing first. For example, if scratching is a problem, make sure it has a good scratching post.
Older cats (10-14 years old) tend to prefer carpet scratchers—perhaps because it’s gentler on their paws. Some cats prefer horizontal scratchers. Just watch how your cat is scratching now and get a scratching post that will allow it to replicate the same movement. It’s also worth trying a cardboard scratcher. They’re really inexpensive so, even if your cat doesn’t take to it, you won’t be out much. Place the scratcher near where your cat used to scratch—that’s the area it associates with that activity. For example, if your cat likes to scratch the side of your couch, put the scratcher right next to the arm of the couch. [13] X Trustworthy Source Animal Humane Society Leading animal welfare nonprofit organization providing medical care, training education, and resources for animal owners Go to source
It’s usually a good idea to put that perch close to the forbidden counter or shelf. Remember: your cat is jumping up there for a reason. Having a nearby perch offers a more attractive alternative where your feline friend can accomplish its objective. A cat tree is another great option that can resolve a lot of different destructive behaviors. It gives your cat scratching posts, a high perch, and a place to play.
If you’re away from home a lot, spring for a motion-activated cat toy. These can get a little pricey, but they’re a way to play with your cat even when you’re not there. The Ohio State University’s Indoor Pet Initiative has a lot of ideas on ways to keep your kitty entertained and engaged.
If your cat won’t eat out of the slow feeder at first, try putting some kibble in an empty egg carton to introduce it to the concept. Just put a few pieces in each of the spaces. These bowls also exercise your cat’s hunting and foraging instincts to keep them engaged so they’re less likely to be destructive in general. Slow feeders also help if you have a cat that always eats too fast and then pukes the food right back up.
Playing with your cat is good for you too! Studies show cats lower your stress and anxiety levels, which calms your nervous system and can also lower your blood pressure. [18] X Trustworthy Source HelpGuide Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources. Go to source Take time each day to love on your cat as well. If it’s after your attention, daily pets and nuzzles will go a long way.
For example, when your cat scratches your sofa, you might pick it up and move it to the scratching post. When you do this, don’t yell at your cat, and you definitely don’t want to cause it any pain or discomfort. You’re not punishing your cat, you’re just showing it an acceptable way to do the thing it needs to do.
For example, if your cat previously scratched on your sofa, you would reward it every time it used the scratching post. While it is possible to also train your cat to respond to a clicker, studies show food tends to be a much bigger motivator for cats. Pets and attention might work for some cats, but for most of them, food will always be the biggest motivator.
Don’t eliminate the treats completely, though! If your cat continues using the alternative and doesn’t get treats anymore, it might become frustrated and start acting out again.
