Since moving into our new home our kitty has really taken a liking to couch cushions, a behavior I'm not fond of, especially when the cushion forms become distorted and squished. We looked into those sprays, but they were just nasty and who wants to spray their furniture? So, we found another recyclable solution...
...just like humans would hate the idea of biting into a ball of tin foil, cats apparently feel the same way about walking on it. So, how do you make this work? It's simple:
- Place a piece of foil on the area in question and leave it for 2 or 3 days.
- Remove the foil and carefully fold it, but don't discard it just yet! You might need it again.
- See if your kitty goes back to that spot. This might take a few days or even a week. If the behavior has stopped, you're done! Recycle the piece of foil and celebrate.
- If your cat realizes his favorite sleeping spot if available again, replace the foil and leave it there for a week. Hopefully he will find a new place in the meantime and forget about his old favorite. If he doesn't, you might have to periodically place the foil for a few days or while you're out for the afternoon.
Other suggestions about how to extend the life of your furniture and deter those furry friends? Let us know!
(Image: Landis Carey)
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Great tip! And my goodness, what an adorable cat!
Unfortunately my cat only obeys the foil while it is there. We endured foil on some surfaces for more than a year. The week we took it down we could find our cat on the forbidden surface.
I know this probably works really well, but I'm just imagining my defiant cat lounging on the tinfoil, basking in the sun like those leathery, oil-covered sunbathers used to to at the community pool. Sassy the sun goddess...
my cat doesn't mind the foil, so my search goes on for a viable deterrent.
Wait, you don't allow your cat on the couch? People put their butts on it. Whats the big deal?
Counters, on the other hand... Just caught Ms. Twist on the counter for the FIRST TIME EVER this morning - hopefully this will discourage her.
Thanks!
My bastard cat shredded the tin foil and then looked at me like i was the one that made f-ed up life choices.
My cats sit on the foil. Nothing phases them.
Haha, when my cat was a kitten I tried foil too. Unfortunately it turned out to be really intriguing to her, and drew her to the tabletop instead. I now just shout at the cats when I catch them on the table/counters (rarely). They know not to go there while I'm in the room, at least... who knows what happens while I'm away/asleep. Ah, pets.
Mayishe - that's hilarious!
My mum used to ignore the cat and push him off the "counter/whatever you don't want the cat on" quickly which usually shocked him into not doing it.
It was funny to watch.
Well, then you have weird foil covered furniture. Once the foil is gone, cat will return. They're not THAT stupid.
Squirt guns work, but only on surfaces you don't mind getting a bit wet.
I just sigh and throw a decent looking blanket over the kitty's favorite sofa spot
Two words: CONTACT PAPER.
We've had this same problem since we got our new couch a year ago - it's a brown microfiber couch, and the cat loves to sleep on it while we're out.
We bought a huge roll of clear contact paper and cut pieces to place on the couch (and arms of the couch) with the sticky side up.
To store the contact strip while were using the couch, we push-pin it to a closet wall with the sticky side away from the wall (so we don't have to wrestle with removing it every time).
When the strip loses it's stick, we simply cut a new one. I hope this helps you animal lovers with stubborn pets! :)
Bubble wrap works with some cats. Another way to reuse it. I found a sprayer worked best for my kitties, though one of them got very sneaky about counter tops.
Njoy -- good idea about the contact paper. I was going to suggest double sided tape that way you don't have to make holes.
You guys are making my day with these comments! Thanks for checking in! I'm fine with out cat sleeping on the couch, but I don't like it when he sleeps on the back cushions...it squashes them and bends them out of shape. But of course, that's where he wants to be most!
More suggestions?! Let us know!
Landis
MaryWynn I'm with you ... if people are plopping their butts on the couch, what does kitty do that's so bad? Unless it's scratching. My three are terrible scratchers.
So, no nice couch for me. Which is probably why I'm so confused by the issue of kitty on the couch in the first place.
Counters are another issue ...
i've used tin foil for years... but to keep the dogs off the furniture. yes, the cat avoids it, too.
but what do you do AFTER the cat has scratched your leather couch?
My cats could care less what's on their spot. It's THEIR SPOT. They generally stay away from the kitchen counters... except when a friend had her puppy over, so i put my kitties food on the counter... so now they SOMETIMES hop up there... and are quickly shot with a spray from the faucet. :s
They pretty much go where they please, though...
ive tried sprays, i have tried citrus based oils, sticky tape, pepper sprays on the furniture, and he just does not care! as soon as the spray evaporates, hes back to scratching my furniture. loud sounds doesnt help either. Any other ideas?