Joined in 2023 
82 
63 About this deal
This scat mat from D&D is made of polypropylene and comes in a set of 10. Each mat measures 16.5 x 13.4 inches and has 1-inch plastic spikes. These mats will cover up to 15 square feet. Unlike sprays, their effectiveness is consistent and there is no detectable scent. Cats don’t need much of a negative outcome to deter them from jumping up on the kitchen counters or clawing furniture. In fact, even a minor inconvenience will usually be quite effective, and most cats will learn after three experiences with a cat deterrent," Nagelschneider told The Spruce Pets.
Sprays give you the most control over the finished product since you’re applying the product yourself, and you can ensure it goes where you need it. Some gear you must spray because the item in question, such as a tent or a pair of hiking boots, can’t go in the washing machine.
Log in/register
A previous version of this story was written by Lorraine Wilde who has had at least two cat and two dog companions in her home for the past 35 years. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in biology and a Master’s degree in environmental science with an emphasis on toxicology. She is a firm believer that consumers can make healthy, informed, and environmentally conscious choices to protect their pets, their families, and our planet. We have been recommending these for many years to deter outside cats from entering your property,” says Nagelschneider. “However, these should never be used inside the home and they will need to be turned off if/when your inside cat goes outside.” Since you’re applying to cloth items, you shouldn’t expect an utterly waterproof item. Though the product doesn’t last as long as some others, it was still very effective in our test, causing water to bead up and stream away until it wears off. Once it does, you can simply reapply the wax.
Our tester left the rainfly to dry for about 48 hours before testing it, and, voila, the treated item was vastly improved in terms of how well the water beaded off it. We’ll add this product to our toolkit and apply it at least once a season—ideally in the early spring before the first camping trips of the year—to help preserve some of our most expensive items. Before you waterproof an item, any item, an important note is this: Make sure it’s clean first. Dirt and oils leave residue on the surface of your gear, even if you can’t always see it. And use a detergent that won’t leave a residue since that can impede the waterproofing product from working. Most brands sell their own washes in addition to the sprays. From playtime to survival, a cat's claws are their essential multipurpose tools and they instinctually seek out surfaces to claw to keep their nails filed and healthy. It's important to have designated areas, like a scratching post, and interactive toys, so your cat can safely unfurl their claws when the mood strikes.Some sprays contain perfluorochemicals (PFCs), a group of synthetic chemicals the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns remain in the environment—and in the human body—for years, so you’ll want to be especially careful using any of those, especially around pets and children. (Or just avoid them in general.) And aerosol sprayers, though they work well for consumers, also have a negative environmental impact. If you’re seeking to prevent those issues, choose a non-aerosol spray that doesn’t contain PFCs. They actually kind of adhere to the individual fibers, like an old-fashioned telephone cord—they wrap around the fibers," says Heidi Allen, the vice president of marketing at Nikwax. "They have a little stretchiness to them." We tried the wash on a down blanket, which before testing, allowed water to slip through the outer shell immediately, leading to a few damp, chilly nights while camping, and we found the water resistance of that outer layer much improved after its wash and dry cycle. The blanket was nice and fluffy after testing, and there was no change to the color or texture of the exterior. It’s still not a fully waterproof item—it wasn’t designed to be—and we’ll do our best not to soak it intentionally, but now we're less worried about it accidentally getting a little wet. The perfect waterproofing product makes your gear feel like new—waterproof and breathable again, with no negative changes to the material. That’s precisely what Grangers Performance Repel Plus, a non-aerosol spray from the British brand, did for an older pair of rain pants that were wetting out. In fact, the waterproofing on these pants was better after applying this spray than it was before. But no one likes soaked shoes, purses, or any other type of leather goods, and too much water can eventually damage these items, causing that dreaded drying out or molding. Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Water Protectant No. 3 bills itself as a protectant—creating a water-resistant layer that stops the material from absorbing liquid—and a conditioner.
Great Deal 
New Comment