CAPITAL HUMANE SOCIETY
2320
Aversives
For Cats
Copyright Denver Dumb Friends League and
Humane Society of the
Determining
an effective aversive reaction for your cat is definitely a case of
trial-and-error, as individual preferences will vary with each cat. This is
often the best method to discourage a cat from a particular action or place,
but will seldom work effectively without offering an alternative that is both
convenient and rewarding.
Texture
You
may need to weight the “material” firmly or tape it in order for it to stay
put. To protect furniture or floor finish from sticky substances, attach them
to a piece of foil or heavy plastic and secure that with weights or light tape.
Indoors:
·
Shelf paper (sticky side up)
·
Double-sided carpet tape
·
Heavy foil
Outdoors:
·
Irregular or sharp rocks, firmly set
into dirt
·
Chicken wire, firmly set into dirt
(sharp edges rolled under)
Both:
·
Heavy plastic carpet runner (pointed
side up)
Smell
Soak
cotton balls, rags or washcloths in the “stinky” substance. To help protect
carpets, upholstery, floors or furniture, place the saturated object on a piece
of weighted foil or heavy plastic. To prevent the substance from seeping into the
ground, use the same precautions. Outdoor substances need to be reapplied
daily, due to quicker dissipation into the air.
Indoors
& Outdoors:
·
Insect repellent, especially those
containing citronella and/or citrus odors (check for toxicity – if safe for
young children, it’s generally safe for pets)
·
Citric odors – colognes, concentrated
juices or fresh peels
·
Annoying colognes
·
Some muscle rubs (NOTE: some cats react
to menthol as they do to catnip – beware!)
·
Aloe gel
Taste
Some
of these substances may damage furniture or floor finishes, so be sure to test
them in a hidden location before wide-spread use. Except for hot sauce and
cayenne pepper, these substances should be safe to apply to most people’s skin, however, some individuals may be sensitive to them.
·
Bitter Apple or similar sprays and gels
marketed specifically for taste aversion
·
Insect repellents, especially those
containing citronella or citrus odors (check for toxicity, if it’s safe for
young children, it’s generally safe for pets)
·
Some hot sauces
·
Cayenne pepper
·
Some muscle rubs
·
Citric odors (colognes, concentrated
juices or fresh peels)
·
Aloe gel
Surprise!
Remote
Controlled Aversives:
·
Motion detector that reacts with a
startling sound
·
Snappy Trainer (upside-down mouse trap
that’s securely taped under paper to avoid contact)
·
Aluminum pie plate containing water,
beans or pebbles -- preferably balanced precariously on a counter or other
undesirable “jumping” surface
·
Scat Mat (very slight electrical shock)
Human
Controlled Aversives:
Use
these to get your cat’s attention, and thereby offer an appropriate
alternative.
·
Spray bottle or squirt gun filled with
water or a combination of water and vinegar (NOTE: avoid the super-duper water
guns that have a very forceful spray)
·
Loud air horn
·
Whistle
·
Shaker can (soda can containing nails,
pennies, beans or pebbles - securely taped shut)
WARNING:
For fearful cats, try everything else before trying surprise techniques,
especially those
using
noises!