10 Best Cat Deterrents 2025 in the United States

The PetSafe ScatMat Indoor Electric Training Mat offers an effective solution for keeping cats and dogs away from certain areas in your home. As an electric training mat, it provides a safe yet startling correction when pets step on it, making them learn to avoid restricted zones. It is versatile and can be placed on various surfaces, such as countertops, couches, doorways, or near trash cans.

The mat features customizable modes, allowing you to adjust the correction level to tone only, low, medium, or high static correction with or without tone, catering to different sensitivity levels of pets. Additionally, it includes a safety timeout feature and a tone-only option for more sensitive pets, making it adaptable to different needs. The battery-operated controller is user-friendly, with an LCD display that shows battery level, correction level, and a counter for tracking the number of activations. However, it requires a 9-volt battery, which is not included in the package.

In terms of coverage, the mat is 60 inches long and 12 inches wide, providing adequate area to deter pets from medium to large spaces. While it is designed for indoor use, it lacks weather resistance and might not be suitable for outdoor settings. It is also worth noting that the mat is clear and integrates well with home decor without being obtrusive. The product is backed by a 1-year limited warranty and is essential to follow the manual for proper usage and safety. This training mat is appropriate for pet owners looking to manage their pets' behavior indoors effectively.

The PetSafe ScatMat is a convenient indoor training solution for keeping cats and dogs away from areas they shouldn't access, like countertops or couches. The mat measures 48" x 20", providing ample coverage for many spaces within a home. It's designed for flexibility with customizable modes that include different static correction levels, with a tone-only option for sensitive pets. This feature allows for a gentle approach, ensuring that even nervous pets can be trained without undue stress.

One of its strengths is ease of use. The mat is controlled by a battery-operated controller with an LCD display that shows battery life and correction settings. However, it requires a 9-volt battery, which isn't included, so you might need to purchase one separately. The controller also tracks the number of times your pet steps on the mat, offering valuable feedback on the training process.

A potential drawback is that it's designed specifically for indoor use. This means it might not withstand long-term exposure to outdoor elements. However, its durable construction is likely to handle regular indoor wear and tear well. The product is lightweight at 1.5 pounds, making it portable and easy to reposition as needed.

The ScatMat is versatile, suitable for all breeds and life stages, making it a good choice if you have multiple pets. With its long history as a reliable pet training brand, PetSafe provides additional support for its products through customer service channels, which could be reassuring if you have questions or need assistance.

While some might find the lack of included power source inconvenient, the mat's effectiveness as a deterrent and adaptability in settings make it a practical choice for those looking to manage pet behavior indoors.

The diloqio Cat Spray Deterrent System is a motion-activated device designed to help keep cats (and dogs) away from areas you want to protect, like furniture, plants, or counters. It detects movement up to 3 feet and sprays a quick, odorless mist that pets find unpleasant but is safe and non-flammable for your home environment. This system comes as a two-pack, which is handy if you want to cover multiple spots around your house or yard.

Its sensor range is limited to about 3 feet, so placement matters—you'll want to put it where your pet usually approaches the restricted area. It works indoors and outdoors but may be less effective in very large spaces or if your pet moves outside the sensor range. The device runs on a built-in rechargeable battery that lasts around three days per charge, which is convenient but means you need to remember to recharge it regularly. Each spray can holds 80 to 100 sprays and can be replaced when empty, so ongoing use means buying refills. This might be a minor extra cost but also ensures the deterrent remains effective. The system is designed for all cat sizes and is also suitable for dogs, adding versatility if you have multiple pets.

The device is lightweight and compact, making it easy to move as needed. It’s a good choice if you want a humane and automated way to keep pets out of certain areas without harsh training methods. If you need to cover larger areas or want a device with adjustable sensitivity settings, this model might feel a bit limited. It is effective for targeted use and offers a safe, hands-off solution to protect your home from curious pets.