It's double-sided sticky tape. Pretty simple. But as a 4x cat owner and 3-year cat foster parent, I have a pro-tip for the cat owners: put the sticky tape on a piece of cardboard (or something equally useless but firm), and then put the cardboard on top of/beside the undesired-scratching object. Thus, just toss the piece of cardboard away when no longer needed. No need to worry about the tape ruining a piece of furniture, and the cardboard is not clear like the tape, so you can see where it is (note that this WON'T help those who are stumbling around at night with the lights off - another pro-tip).

I specifically use the tape to stop my cats from scratching at my door 20 minutes before my morning alarm clock. They are tall enough to reach the doorknob and bat it around, and I can't very well tape the doorknob. So I unfold an old cardboard box, tape it up, and set it in front of the door. I cut it long enough so the cats can't reach the door over/around it, and I can easily pick it up and set it aside when we have company.

I've also used it to stop a fresh-off-the-streets foster cat from pooping directly beside his litterbox. I taped up cardboard and put it all around the box, save for one small (~6") space to allow the cat to get to the box - theory being that cats are super clean animals and would not like to step on or around his waste to get to the box. Worked like a charm! He immediately stopped pooping outside of the box and started pooping IN the box, and he never did it again for the 4+ months we had him, even after the cardboard was removed.

******UPDATE BELOW

SITUATION: We are the caregivers of five indoor cats. We have a variety of scratch toys, but none seem to be as inviting or satisfying as our furniture. We formerly had leather furniture, which they didn't bother. The new upholstered stuff arrived and they could not resist. Our previous little angels became little scissor-handed devils overnight! We tried spraying them with water, making loud noises, and covering areas with aluminum foil -- all had little success. At one point we tossed sheets over everything -- they simply would get underneath them to scratch! We love our cats. Love them! (Amelia, Norman, Pippa, Mamie, and Harper). We resigned ourselves to having threadbare armed furniture. I purchased "” yes purchased -- Pioneer Pet Sticky Paws on a whim, with very little expectations. To my amazement, it works!

INSTALLATION: In essence, it's simply double-sided tape. One side sticks to your furniture, the other your cat will touch. The label cautions to try a small test area first. My furniture is fabric "“ not microfiber or leather "” I secured the tape without any difficulty. I would suggest vacuuming the furniture prior since cat fur will prevent the tape from adhering well.

REACTION: Within minutes of installing, I watched Mamie walk up to "her" arm chair and attempt to do her usual stretch-and-scratch. She touched the tape and immediately pulled her paws away. She sat there for a moment looking completely perplexed. She looked at me, looked at the chair again, and then walked away. It was freaking awesome!

SPECIFICATIONS: The tape is 2.5 inches wide and comes on a roll. It has a similar look and width as packing tape, but much stickier. It comes off the roll like double-sided craft tape: the bottom side sticks to your item and the top side is covered with a waxy like paper that you pull off, once installed. The waxy paper is perforated down the center. This feature was well-thought out: it enables you to secure the edges a bit more as you're pulling it off. It the wax was one whole piece, you may inadvertently pull the tape off your sofa as you're pulling the wax paper off. A little extra securing may be needed around corners and curves. I have found it easier to use that waxy paper, instead of my fingers, to secure areas that didn't stick initially. Over time the tape will lose its stickiness as cat fur, dust, and other things are attracted to it. If that is an issue, just reapply more tape.

INTENTION: The intention of this tape is to prevent your cats from scratching. It did precisely that. I do see that they also claim it may help "control inappropriate elimination." I am not certain of that claim. I have a cat whose middle name should be "inappropriate elimination" and this tape would do diddly squat to prevent her from peeing outside her box. I am assuming that cats who pee on furniture would be discouraged to do so if they encountered this tape. Possibly. My problem child doesn't pee on furniture, thankfully. She pees outside her little box. But, that's a whole other story...

DIRECTIONS: The label reads: "May damage certain surfaces (including, without limitation, wood finishes, painted surfaces, leather, vinyl, microfiber, and wallpaper) so ALWAYS TEST a small piece of Sticky Paws on an inconspicuous area before applying." I would most definitely not use this on most hard surfaces. It would leave a sticky residual mess.

I very much appreciate this product.

****** UPDATE: I have had the tape installed for three months and it continues to reduce the amount of furniture scratching. My cats, being superior in intelligence, do have a tendancy to take advantage of a loose edge and use it as an opportunity to try and pull off the tape. (I don't fault the tape for their behavior.) I have had to re-apply in some areas as a result. I am buying more tape. Be certain that enought scratching posts, pads, etc. are available for your cat(s), as an alternative.

What a waste of money. As I peeled these and applied them to the couch, which was not easy to do. My little darling cat Brody very methodically followed along behind me and peeled each sheet off! They do not lie very flat on furniture because the adhesive is not strong enough. He just found a spot to get his teeth around & backed up peeling it off as he went and then dropped the crumpled sheet. It did not even stick to him! I have to say the money that I spent was probably worth the laugh, but do not expect these to work on furniture. The adhesive is definitely not strong enough to stick. Plus they are not easy to get on smooth, they bunch up in a heartbeat. Off to look for another solution, sigh.

Nice temporary fix and deterrent, obviously the downside is whatever you're protecting will now have unsightly and sticky tape stuck on it 😑, my wee devil of a cat also figured out a way to find the edges with his mouth and peel them back, then managed to pull the strips off of his scratching post couch... But he is more determined than most cats. I also have a large dog, who when bumping said couch, leaves her fur stuck to the tape as well, so it's really all a bit of a mess. Overall it's a nice idea I think would be better for keeping them off flat surfaces you don't mind having tape stuck to

This is a fantastic product. Too bad I removed the sticky paws after a few months thinking the girls had learned not to scratch the furniture. Fast forward and one of my chairs is messed up from scratching. I just ordered several more rolls to re-apply to my furniture. Do not hesitate and purchase this product.