Question:
hi,
I recently became an owner of two fun kitties...However, these little rascals have a problem, or to put it, I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THEM!! When they were small, they were curious about the kitchen counter. But because of their tiny size they were not able to get on it. But then they grew and soon became tall enough to jump up on it. I do not want them on the kitchen counter. 1) it's dangerous because the stove is right next to it, and 2)It's not
that easy cutting vegatables when suddenly there is a cat wanting to see what your doing up close and personal to the knife your holding.
I've tried sqiurting them with water which works but only for that instant. These smart alicks go back on top again when I'm not looking. Does any one have any suggestions on how I can relay the message to my cats that the counter top is off limits period? even when I'm not looking. By the way, I tried putting foil on the counter....didn't work.
Answer:
Cats are going to do whatever they want to do when you're not around, scratch furniture, jump on counters.... But you can be very firm and strict about it when you're home and in the kitchen. Clap your hands and say no, chase them off the counter, squirt them with water, or shake a can of beans when they jump on the counter. If you want them to stay off the counter when you're not around you could try putting double-sided tape on the counter. That also stops them from scratching furniture. Of course you'll have the hassle of peeling it off when you want to use the counter for cooking.
I'm not very strict with my cats. They get away with jumping on the counter all the time. I don't have the heart to squirt them with water. I just put them down or continuously push them off the counter. It's annoying. Sometimes my cats will climb on the counter when I'm in the process of preparing their canned or dry food and I have to push them down and say, "No, you eat when I give it to you." Of course they don't know what that means.
Answer:
You can also try a smell they don't like - some cats don't like citrus.
Or boobytrap the counter, i.e. put a bunch of (non-fragile) stuff on the edge that will tip off and make a loud noise when they try to jump on it. Basically, you have to make it a negative experience for the cat, some people try to scare the cat, some yell at them, some make it into a place the cat won't want to go, but I think the main thing is to be consistent about not letting them on there and not rewarding them for being there. Most cats are smart enough to figure out what you don't want them to do and some will cooperate...
Answer:
I agree with Moggiegirl, It'll be hard to get them not to go up there when you'r not around but you can train them not to be up there while you're around. Just be firm and consistant. "No!" and clapping your hands will work, eventually. Also, make sure there is never anything up there that they would like. If they don't ever find anything good they will more than likely lose interest.
Answer:
you can buy a scat mat put it on your counter. it's basically a mat with a semi-pointy surface. the surface is suppose to be unpleasant to a cat's paw if he or she walks on it or in your case, jumps on it.
with that said, i can attest that the surface is very painful (to humans). i've stepped on it a couple of times and boy does it hurt. HOWEVER, i don't think it works--at least not for my cats. while it's painful to me when I've walked on the mat, my cats find the surface surprisingly pleasing.
the times we've left it out on the floor, we've found Brutus sleeping on it. Fry and Kit also walk all over the mat with no problem. if you are desparate, you might want to give this a try. it doesn't seem to cause my cats too much pain (if any pain at all), but it may be a deterrant ibecause the surface may be a bit uncomfortable to walk on.
Answer:
I know people who have rigged pop cans filled with coins so when the cat jumps up, they fall over and scare them.
A squirt gun works as well (mentioned I believe).
A can of air can do the trick too (the ones used for blowing dust off a computer).
I must admit, I don't care if my cats are on the counter. I'm a NEAT FREAK. I run the vacuum at least twice a day. My floors are spotless (living with 4 dogs in Ohio, that is a feat in itself). I'm constantly using clorox or lysol wipes on the counters and tables. I never have kitty or doggy 'kisses' on the windows......so having the cats on the counters doesn't bother me since I am so clean! lol
Jen and the furkids (naked ones too)
~~Second hand pets give first class love. Please adopt~~
Answer:
thanks for all the advice...really is appreciated...will try some them..
Answer:
Just curious...do you feed your cats any table foods?
Although many cats will attempt to jump on the counters at some point, those who eat lots of table scraps are much more likely to jump up since they know that there's good food up there.
As suggested above, I have also found that hand-clapping with a firm "no" works well. The can with coins idea sounds good as well.
I'm not a big fan of squirting cats with water. This upsets two of my cats terribly.
Owned by Pepper and Pumpkin RIP Snickers 8/22/00 -- 11/28/06
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Answer:
Hi...Just responding to lymkaps question...I don't leave any food open on the counter. But since I do have a very small kitchen I keep the kittens dry cat food in a glass jar that has an air tight seal. Besides, they usually jump and walk on the "breakfast bar side" of the counter as opposed to the opposite side where the jar is located. I live in an apartment that has the tradional square shaped kitchen. Between my two cats, Belvadere seems to be the one that responds to the clapping and the firm "no". Gossamer doesn't respond to them which makes me wonder if he is deaf or just plain stubborn...hmmm.... I'll ask my vet...What would be the signs of a deaf cat?
By the way lymkaps and any one else, today I bought my cats a medium sized plush bed. I only bought one because I often see the two of them snuggling in the corner together... I didn't think sharing would be an issue but a few minutes ago I see Belvadere biting and tumbling on the plush bed. When Gossamer came close Belvadere hissed!?!.... ....3x's...Should rethink this "sharing of the plush bed" idea?
Answer:
I use the hand clap with, "down, down". I heard on one of the shows having a 2 part command was the way to go,
But from my army days we always had the prepatory command and then the actual command, so it seems we get some good military training around here.
I also do the "heeya, heeya" just like I was hearding cattle to get them to move, and it's so funny because they really scamper when they hear this.
The counter still gets jumped on too, but the 2 part command is effective.
The water pistol is the sink sprayer, but that never got the evil one to change her ways.
The other 2 I actually tolerate because they rarely do it and it's more of a 'ability test' just to see what they can do.