The Spray Solution That Might Keep Your Curtains Safe From Your Cat

If you have a cat, you have likely had to deal with them scratching up items throughout your home. This may have led to a seemingly-futile effort to save furniture from pet claws with aluminum foil or with other methods. You may also be wondering how to keep them from damaging your curtains. While keeping your cats entertained with toys, climbing structures, and scratching posts is a good start, your cat may still be drawn to off-limits items like curtains. Before you get to a point where you find yourself having to take down shredded curtains, you might want to consider spray deterrents that can help. One possible solution is using a commercial spray made specifically for preventing your cats from unwanted scratching.

The purpose of these sprays is to make certain items in your home unappealing to cats. These can include curtains as well as other fabric-based items such as sofas, pillows, and decorative rugs. While perhaps not 100% guaranteed to work, this can be another tool in your anti-scratch arsenal. It's thought that cats do not care for the smell of citrus (hence why citrus peels are used to repel stray cats), rosemary, and other strong-scented ingredients. Therefore, they may stay away from areas that have recently been sprayed with such products. The key, however, is to use products that are specifically designed for use around pets as well as those recommended by a veterinarian to help prevent potential adverse effects. 

There are several commercially available options designed specifically for use around pets. First, consider this rosemary-scented spray from Bodhi 3-1 Cat & Kitten Training Aid. Another option is Nature's Miracle Advanced Platinum Cat Scratch Deterrent Spray, which contains a combination of essential oils, including cinnamon, rosemary, and citronella. Follow all product instructions carefully, and take care not to accidentally spray the product directly on your cat or near them.

No matter which option you choose, it's important to select a scratch deterrent spray that is specifically designed for use around cats. You should also run this selection by your veterinarian before use. While you may be able to use essential oils in DIY cleaning sprays on your own at home, these could carry the risk of toxicity because the concentrations may be higher than those used in commercial products. Among some of the most dangerous essential oils that can cause poisoning in cats when they're exposed to large amounts include those made from citrus, lavender, peppermint, cinnamon, clove, tea tree, and eucalyptus. Exposure can cause symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and weakness, so it's crucial to only use cat-safe products.