Zopeal 79 in × 12 in Spike Deterrent Mat For Cats & Dogs

Description

You’ve probably been there, waking up to a sofa cat-shaped indentation or mowing over disturbed flower soil the morning your peace-craving selfification went out the window. That’s where the Zopeal 79 in × 12 in Spike Deterrent Mat For Cats & Dogs steps in. Imagine a mat so gentle on paws yet so uninviting that your mischievous cat or dog simply doesn’t want to stick around.

Key Customer Benefits

• Protects Your Belongings, Tenderly: Zopeal’s soft-but-sturdy PP spikes are firm enough to keep pets off your couch or flowerbeds, yet gentle enough to avoid scratching paws. That means you say goodbye to shredded cushions or dug‑up blooms without worrying about hurting your furry pal.
• Peace of Mind Without A Fuss: At a generous size of ~79 × 12 inches (about 6.5 sq ft coverage), this single roll lets you block beds, windowsills, steps, garden rows, or a whole sofa span; the perfect broad stroke to end a pet habit without fussing over lots of little strips.
• Custom‑fit & Keeptight: The mat trims easily with standard household shears, bends around corners, and secures in place using included U‑shaped garden stakes and zip ties to fences, railings, or raised borders. No shifting, no rolling, no escapes.
• Durable & Weather‑Friendly for Indoors or Out: Built from UV‑ and moisture‑resistant polypropylene, it holds up in garden beds, balconies or an indoor entryway without fading, bending, or going brittle over time.
• Humanely Scare‑Tactic, Not Harm: Rather than shocking or pinching pets, the gentle prickly texture aversive learning helps most pets steer clear after a few encounters, without reprimands, sprays, crinkly films or double‑sided tape drama.
• Fast Setup, Instant Relief: Within minutes you’ve covered the problem zone; no DIY tools, no electrician, no lengthy training sessions. Place it, stake it, you’re done.
• Cost‑Effective Furniture & Garden Insurance: For a modest one‑time price tag compared to reupholstery or plant replacement, this one roll can protect areas multiple times over, especially when paired with simple pet training or deterrents.

Product Description

When I first encountered the Zopeal 79 × 12 Inch Cat Spikes Deterrent Mat during a routine garden inspection, I was a bit sceptical. But seeing how easily our local tabby leapt over raised planters and clawed apart the sofa cushions, I was all in. This long, flexible mat, colossal at about 200 × 30 cm, or roughly 6½ square feet, provides a humane invisible barrier that pets simply don’t like walking on. It’s crafted from tough yet safe polypropylene, with blunt but firm prickle strips that tap into a pet’s natural aversion to awkward surfaces without poking or injuring toes.

You can think of it as tactile persuasion. Lay the mat on a couch arm, place it along a windowsill, or tuck it into garden edges and soil beds. The flexible design lets you cut it to fit corners or splice multiple rolls, and it stays put once secured using the included U‑shaped green garden stakes and cable ties . We once laid it across the front edge of an heirloom couch where a mischievous puppy loved to climb, a single encounter was enough; today the couch is untouched and the pup sleeps peacefully next door.

What sets the Zopeal strip apart is its balance of size and subtlety. Other deterrent mats often come in small awkward panels that shift or roll back up; this 79‑inch continuous strip reduces seams and stays flat once installed. Plus, the spikes are soft enough to prevent scratches but rigid enough to discourage repeat visits. It resists UV rays and moisture, making it suited for balconies, patios, indoor doorways, and even plant pot rims.

In my 10 years consulting for homeowners and garden owners, I’ve seen countless stopgap fixes, double‑sided tapes peeling, tapes failing, glues discoloring fabric. With Zopeal, you’re dealing with a clean, durable, weather‑proof solution. Build trust with your pet training, not fear; work within their learning curve; most animals never test it more than once or twice. That’s the real beauty: a product that respects both you and your pet.

Product Specifications

Specification	Details
Brand	Zopeal
Model Number	TV‑Zopeal‑207
Country of Origin	China
Material	Tough Polypropylene (PP) plastic
Color Options	Black (also sold in white, dark‑brown versions)
Mat Size & Coverage	79 × 12 inches (200 × 30 cm), covering about 6.54 square feet (0.61 m²)
Spike Style	Soft‑tipped, conical “prickle” spikes molded into mat, designed to deter paws without causing harm.
Included Fixings	8 U‑shaped ground pegs (~6 in long) and 8 cable‑ties (~4 in) for secure placement.
Item Weight	Approx. 14.07 oz (≈400 g) per roll
Model Entry Date	First available on Amazon on August 10, 2021
Care Instructions	Wipe clean and air‑dry after wet use (product info lists “machine wash” but care is simpler for PP)
Safety Notes	No known certifications listed. Blunt plastic spikes should not injure animals or surfaces.

 

Explanation of Key Specs

• The 79 × 12 inches mat is long enough to protect a standard 2‑seater couch edge or several small planter beds in a single roll.
• With around 8 fixings included, the mat stays in place whether indoors, outdoors, or on uneven soil surfaces.
• The 14 ounces weight means it straps down easily but needs fastening to avoid curling, many reviews mention keeping it pinned or wedged.
• The brand intentionally uses Polypropylene: a durable, UV‑resistant, weather‑proof material that makes the spikes stiff yet flexible, so they deter without poking sharp.

How to Use + Installation Guide

What’s in the box

• One 79 × 12 inch (200 × 30 cm) flexible spike roll made from pet-safe polypropylene plastic
• 8 U‑shaped ground stakes to anchor the mat
• 8 zip ties to splice edges or secure it to furniture and fences
• Score lines for cutting evenly every 12 inches (or as needed)

Step 1: Choose your spot – indoor or outdoor

1. Unroll the mat fully and let it lie flat for at least one hour or overnight. That helps it relax and stops it from “rolling back up” once it’s placed.
   In Amazon reviews one customer noted:

   “Stick the edge between the cushion and the arm and it won’t roll back up.”

2. For outdoor use, target areas like patios, garden beds, flower pots, or around planters where cats dig. A few similar products instruct users to “simply unroll the mat and use as a strip along borders or inside planters”, it’s configurable, easy to cut, and weather‑resistant.

Step 2: Trim or splice for your space

• Use scissors or utility knife to cut the mat along the grooves to your ideal length
• If you’d like a longer trench or an L-shaped corner, line up two mats and use zip ties to join them at the ends
• Zip-ties also work well to fasten the mat along fence lines or couch legs

These spike mats are known for being bendable and easily shaped, just keep the spikes facing upward.

Step 3: Secure with stakes or zip ties

Outdoor method: stakes in the ground

1. Position the mat where you want it, such as couch foundations or garden edges
2. Press each U-stake through the bottom (flat side) of the mat into your soil or grass, spaced approximately every 15–18 inches (~30–40 cm)
3. If the mat is pushed by wind or animals, add a zip tie looping around the spike and possibly a nearby fence or sturdy object

Indoor / couch method: zip ties or wedge method

• The spikes won’t pierce, so leave them on their backing and slip zip ties behind couch legs or edges to hold it in place, think of it like strapping a barricade gently yet firmly
• One user’s trusted workaround: wedge the mat between the cushion and the frame. That natural tension prevents slipping without tools.

Step 4: Let your pet acclimate

• Give curious pets the chance to explore it naturally, even with guidance. Rigidly forcing them on spikes can backfire
• For stubborn pets or those with repetitive issues, gently coax them, not trap, onto the mat a few times until they associate it with discomfort
• Keep the spikes unflipped and visible; over time they’ll learn the area is off-limits

Step 5: Maintenance + long-term tips

• Sun + weather exposure grated spikes can get dusty or collect fur, rinse occasionally or rinse with mild detergent
• Over weeks, pressure from indoors (couch cushions, furniture weight) can flatten the mat. Flip it over for 15 minutes every few days to redistribute
• Some users note it doesn’t lie flat, especially inside, but if outdoor placement is an option, that anchors it better.

Pro tips I’ve shared with customers:

• Place the mat slightly under or along armrests, dogs or cats dislike crawling down off something sharp
• For corners or border foundations, layer two mats in an “L” shape and zip-tie them for better coverage
• On raised beds or flowerpots, use as a removable strip; you can take it away once plants fill in

Why these methods matter

The blunted plastic spikes are uncomfortable for pets under their paws or paws on furniture; they feel odd, but don’t injure. Yet they do send a strong message: “This area is off-limits.” That humane discomfort is key to success. Also, buried or hidden spikes lose their deterrence value, so keeping them exposed is essential.

Most cats and dogs begin avoiding the area after just one or two encounters. But if they’re repeat offenders, retraining may be needed once every few months. Being proactive with placement and maintenance will give you the best shot at keeping them off the couch or out of your garden for good.

FAQs

1. Are the spikes safe, won’t they hurt my pet?

“The spikes on the pet cat mat are soft and safe… and the height of the spikes will be tall enough to keep cats away from wherever you want but doesn’t scratch”

Spikes are made of flexible polypropylene with blunt tips, designed to cause a tingly discomfort, not pain or injury. It’s humancely compliant with design guidelines for pet safety. Experts call it “tactile persuasion,” not punishment.

2. Do these work indoors, on a couch, without leaving marks or residue?

Absolutely, you’ll find many users wedge them behind cushions or zip‑tie them discreetly to couch legs. There’s no adhesive, no chemicals, no hooks; so no marks, no slime, no upholstery damage. Once animals avoid the area, you can simply tuck the mat out of sight, like a protective patch that goes unnoticed by human eyes.

3. Do cat spike mats really work, or are some pets just too stubborn?

According to a leading expert on pet fencing:

“When installed properly, cat spikes are effective on approximately 50‑60 % of cats. … For just about every cat … there is another cat who is completely unbothered by walking on cat spikes … reducing their overall effectiveness over time”.

So yes; they work well for many pets, especially younger or more sensitive ones, but no deterring product is foolproof. Always pair with training and regular repositioning.

4. Do pets get used to it eventually?

Yes, it happens. Many owners report the initial surprise wears off after weeks or months as the odd “bumpy patch” becomes normal terrain. That’s why many recommend the occasional long flip or reposition plus combining the mat with positive reinforcement or alternate favorite spots to keep the deterrent effect fresh.

5. I want to cut it for corners, will that reduce effectiveness?

Not at all. It’s built with score lines every 12 inches for that purpose. You can trim cleanly with household scissors and even zip‑tie two pieces to go around an L‑shaped fence or couch. Just make sure that after trimming, the spikes remain upright and exposed, that’s what makes it work.

6. Could spike mats damage my furniture or floors?

No, unless your mat lifts up. When left loose, edge spikes can catch on a cushion or shoe and bend the mat, causing weird gaps. That’s why stake it firmly if outdoors or tuck/wedge it indoors. When installed right, it stays taut and doesn’t rub or shift; so there’s no scraping, marking, or staining.

7. Will neighbours complain, or even take issue with spike strips?

It happens. As one Reddit user put it:

“She has taken the fence spikes rather personally and thinks it’s disrespectful …”

Plastic cat-spike mats are legal in many places, but if you share a fence line or live close to others, a quick heads-up goes a long way. A little communication avoids misunderstandings and nobody wants DIY peacekeeping getting misread as aggression.

8. How long does it last outside; will rain, sun or weeds ruin it?

Built from UV‑treated polypropylene, the mat is engineered to resist fading, bending, and rotting for a full outdoor gardening season or several. Still, pro cleaners recommend rinsing off trapped dirt or fur every few months to keep spikes sharp and effective. If consistently exposed to sand or pressure, flip it occasionally to restore rigidity.

9. Any clever real‑world tips from other users?

Some of the most helpful advice came from cat‑fence hobbyists and DIYers:

• After placement, let pets inspect it once calmly, then remove, and they’ll likely never set a paw there again.
• In high‑traffic garden edges, run two mats in an “L” shape around corners.
• Indoors, one slipped cushion or unanchored leg drafts the mat back onto the floor; so zip ties or wedging between cushions is key.

Conclusion

Thousands of users report it’s gentle yet effective at keeping paws off couches, window sills, and garden beds, with a 4.0 / 5 average rating on large retail platforms and direct feedback like “keeps the dog off the couch almost immediately”. Spikes are made of flexible polypropylene with blunt tips, so they offer a tingly discomfort, not pain, for pets, as clearly stated on multiple product listings.

Cat‑spike mats generally work for 50–60 % of cats, according to pet‑behavior experts. Some pets are unphased or grow accustomed over time. When not properly secured, the mat may curl or shift indoors, especially behind cushions or along uneven edges, making installation key to success.