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Cat Proof Yoga Mat? (5 Simple Ways To Do It)

If your cat is constantly messing with your yoga mat you are probably looking for a simple solution to stop this from happening (Click here to see my best solution, on Amazon #Ad)…

Can you cat-proof your Yoga Mat?

You can cat-proof your yoga mat in several ways. Cat-proofing your yoga mat is the ideal way to protect it from your cat. Although you can try to train your cat to stay away from the yoga mat, this approach is likely to be way less effective than cat-proofing the mat.

Use these to protect your yoga mat

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02. Pretty Yoga Mat Bag Click here for the price on Amazon #Ad
03. Bitter Lemon Cat Spray Click here for the price on Amazon #Ad

So, now you know. But, could you train a cat to just stay away from it? What could a cat do to your mat? Why do some cats pee on these mats? Keep reading for these answers, and much more…

What is a Yoga Mat?

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Yoga mats are mats that are specifically designed to aid the yoga experience. It helps prevent your hands and feet from slipping while practicing yoga. The modern yoga mat is based on a rubber carpet underlay, which was designed in 1982. Today, yoga mats are made from a variety of materials. This most often includes rubber, cork, and hessian.

Can you train a cat to stay away from your Yoga Mat?

You can train a cat to stay away from your yoga mat, but it will be incredibly hard. Cats are notoriously difficult to train. In most cases, training your cat to stay away from the yoga mat will not work.

For this reason, it is more efficient to focus on cat-proofing your yoga mat than training your cat to stay away from it.

How to cat-proof your Yoga Mat:

You can cat-proof your yoga mat by spraying it with a citrus spray, covering it, hiding it, or banning your cat from the area where it is stored. Let’s look at all of these cat-proofing techniques in more detail.

01. Spray the Yoga Mat with Citrus Spray

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You can spray your yoga mat with a citrus spray to deter your cat (Click here to see the reviews, on Amazon #Ad) from coming around it. Cats typically hate citrusy smells, such as oranges and lemons. Spraying your yoga mat with these scents will keep your cat far away.

Many yoga mat cleaners incorporate one or more of these scents into their spray for their cleaning properties and fresh smell. Pick up one of these citrusy sprays to both deter your cat from coming onto your mat and clean it from any sweat or bacteria.

If you don’t have any yoga mat spray on hand and don’t want to buy any, you can also consider adding a drop or two of a citrusy essential oil to the mat. This will deter the cat, and it will create a more energetic yoga experience for you. Orange, grapefruit, lemon, and bergamot are a few essential oil scents that cats do not like.

02. Cover your Yoga Mat

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Covering your yoga mat will also protect it from your cat’s claws. Simply put it in a yoga mat case, or bag, or cover it with some sort of blanket. This covering will protect the mat from any debris, Kitty litter, or scratches that may come about from your cat walking over it.

03. Use the Yoga Mat where your cat can’t get it

If your cat cannot resist itself when you pull out your yoga mat, only use your yoga mat in rooms where your cat can’t get to it. This change in scenery will prevent the cat from walking over the mat, no matter how hard they try.

04. Hide your Yoga Mat

Whenever you are not using your yoga mat, try to hide it in a safe location. Hiding your yoga mat will protect it from your cat’s claws and dirty paws. Try putting it in some closet or on a shelf to hide it from your feline friend.

05. Ban your cat from the room your Yoga Mat is stored

No matter where you store your yoga mat, make sure it is in a place where your cat is banned. Rolled-up yoga mats may look like the perfect place for a cat to sharpen its claws. Instead of storing them in the open, store them in a room where your cat is not allowed to enter.

06. Replace It With A Rubber Mat

Some fantastic rubber yoga mats on the market will stand up to any damage your cat might try to inflict upon it. They are also quite easy to clean and are as comfortable as your typical foam yoga mat. 

07. Replace Your Mat With A Pogamat

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The Pogamat is a very large, durable, and comfortable yoga mat that many cat parents have successfully kept even with cats rolling around on them. They can stand up to typical cat damage and are very easy to clean.

Why do cats like your Yoga Mat?

There are three main reasons why cats like yoga mats: they like the way it feels, it smells like their urine, and they want to be close to you. Cats are notorious for liking to perch on rugs or other items.

01. Perfect perching zone…

A yoga mat is a perfect area to perch because it creates a designated spot and is comfortable to lay on.

02. The smell of the mat

Another reason why your cat may like your yoga mat is that it smells like their urine. Even though rubber mats don’t smell like cat urine to us, cats often interpret it as their urine.

Since they pee based on the scent of their urine, your cat may naturally be attracted to your rubber yoga mat.

03. getting your attention

Additionally, if you are on your yoga mat, your cat may be tempted to come to get your attention. This is especially true if your cat is lonely and wanting to play.

What can a cat do to your Yoga Mat?

Cats can do a lot of damage to a yoga mat. Most notably, they can scratch the delicate surface, pee on it, and spread germs and other particles across its top. These incidents are undesirable to a Yogi that spent a bit of money on a yoga mat.

Yoga mats are typically made of rubber. Any sharp items can easily cut through them. Whether your cat is simply walking across the yoga mat or viewing it as a scratching post, their sharp claws can certainly create scratches and pits within the mat.

Even declawed cats can damage your yoga mat. Whenever they walk across it, Kitty litter, dirt, and anything else on their paws will be transferred to the mat. Not to mention, they can pee on it. Given that you lay on your mat, the last thing you want is a dirty mat that is full of Kitty litter.

Why do some cats pee on Yoga Mats?

Yoga mats are one of the items that often confuse cats. If your yoga mat is made of rubber, your cat may pee on it because it smells like its own urine.

Cats like to go to the bathroom in the same area, based on their scent. Certain odors confuse cats because it smells like their own urine. Because of this fact, the cats are more likely to go to the bathroom in those areas.

Should you discipline your cat for touching your Yoga Mat?

You should not discipline your cat for touching your yoga mat. Cats do not understand discipline in the way that humans or dogs do. Disciplining your cat will make them afraid of you. Instead, distract them from the mat and cat-proof the mat.

Is there a difference between a yoga mat and a Pilates mat?

There is a difference between a yoga mat and a Pilates mat. Yoga mats are thinner and less dense because you do not need as much support to your back and tailbone. Pilates mats, in contrast, are thicker and denser to support you when you are laying down.

Can you distract your cat away from your yoga mat?

You can distract your cat away from your yoga mat by using toys (Click here to see the reviews, on Amazon #Ad) and treats (Click here to see the reviews, on Amazon #Ad).

Cats would much prefer to feel like they’re on a hunt than sitting on a mat. Purchase feather wands or moving toys to keep them distracted. If your cat views your yoga mat as a scratching post, purchase a designated scratching post instead.

Is It A Bad Idea To Leave Your Yoga Mat Out?

Once your cat discovers how much fun yoga mats are, leaving them out when you’re not using them is just asking for trouble. Unless the room you work out in is closed, your cat will likely do their exercises on it, sleep on it, scratch it up, and may potentially soil it. 

As such, it’s best to roll up your yoga mat and put it in an inaccessible area when you’re not actively using it. This is the best way for your cat to likely forget about the yoga mat and use their scratching post instead. 

Why Does My Cat Scratch My Yoga Mat?

Yoga mats are a soft, comfortable surface, so cats are naturally attracted to how nice scratching one can feel. Coupled with your scent all over the mat, your cat likely finds yoga mats an incredibly comforting place to be, especially if you’re not around and they miss you. 

Cats seem to enjoy scratching things where our scent lingers, as your cat also has scent glands in its paws. As such, they like to mix in their scent with yours through actions like scratching and kneading. 

How Do You Get Cat Pee Out Of A Yoga Mat?

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If your cat happens to pee on your yoga mat, you want to remove them from the room while you clean the stain. Try and soak up as much urine as you can with paper towels. If the mat is rubber, you can use an enzymatic cleaner to remove the urine odor. 

If you own a fabric yoga mat, wash it with a cup of white vinegar, then put it through a regular wash cycle with detergent. If you can’t put a fabric yoga mat in your washing machine, you can use a carpet cleaner to remove the stain. Use paper towels to soak up any liquid, and use an enzymatic cleaner to soak up the smell. 

After you have cleaned your yoga mat, make sure it’s completely dry before you use it again. If you can let your yoga mat air dry outside, that’ll likely be the easiest solution. Otherwise, try to hang up the mat so the entire mat can dry. 

Why Does My Cat Watch Me Work Out?

Cats are curious creatures, so watching you work out is fascinating to them. Since you’re also working up a sweat, your smell is extra inviting to them and they’ll want to be around you more. As a result, your cat is going to want to get close for the sense of comfort you offer them. 

If you and your cat are quite bonded, they might also try to “join” you in your workout to either help you or enjoy something that you’re enjoying. Your cat might also think that you’re playing, so they want to play with you.