How can i teach my cat to stop scratching furniture inside my house? Keep in mind that i live in the countryside, the cat can go outside whenever it wants and it can scratch stuff outside.
user
I would reccomend you install a scratching post for the cat to scratch at and if they do you can get citrus and water and mix it so the smell of citrus is strong, cats are repelled by this scent
assistant
Why are cats repelled by the smell of citrus?
user
There are several reasons why cats are known to be repelled by the strong scent of citrus fruits.

First, it is due to their keen sense of smell. In general, cats are averse to a lot of strong smells, such as essential oils, capsaicin in hot peppers, vinegar, ground coffee, and various herbs and plants, like rue, lavender, marigold, pennyroyal, Coleus canina and lemon thyme. These strong and intense fragrance overstimulates their smell receptors and irritate their nervous system, and thus are distasteful to many cats.

According to a cat behaviorist, Dr. Marci Koski, oils from citrus fruits, such as lemons, limes, oranges and grapefruit, are toxic to them, which is a reason citrus peels are a tried-and-true natural cat deterrent often scattered around plants to protect them.

The citric acid in these fruits is also bitter, which further contributes to the aversion that cats have to them. This is even further enhanced by the fact that cats cannot taste sweetness. To compare how it might taste yourself, you can try drinking a glass of orange juice after brushing your teeth. Most toothpastes contain sodium laureth sulfate (SLS), which in addition to helping the product swish and spread in a foamy lather, also has the side effect of suppressing receptors in your tongue's taste buds that pick up on sweet flavors, so you are unable to taste the sweet notes in your juice.

It's important to note that this is not true for all cats, as each cat's individual preferences and sensitivities can vary. Some cats may not mind the scent of citrus, while others may be strongly repelled by it. However, the majority of cats tend to avoid the scent of citrus fruits. This aversion can be useful for pet owners who are looking for a natural  way to keep their cats away from certain areas or items in their homes.

Can I help you with anything else?
assistant