How Do You Keep Cats Off Your Counters?

[BlueRaccoon]

Our house is pretty 'cat proof'. It's very uncluttered and there are very few decorations that the cats can reach. My kitten however has broken a plate, a picture frame, and almost one other item just today. I don't think I can 'cat proof' my house any further! How do I keep him off things such as the kitchen counters? Thank you!

 

[rubysmama]

How old is your kitten? If he's very young, you may just have to put up with it, until he's older.

Here's a TCS article that might have some tips for you: How To Keep Cats Off Counters And Tables | TheCatSite

Plus Kitten Proofing Your Home: 13 Practical Tips | TheCatSite

 

[BlueRaccoon]

How old is your kitten? If he's very young, you may just have to put up with it, until he's older.

Here's a TCS article that might have some tips for you: How To Keep Cats Off Counters And Tables | TheCatSite

Plus Kitten Proofing Your Home: 13 Practical Tips | TheCatSite

Thanks for the article. He is 6 months.

 

[rubysmama]

So he's still pretty young. When he gets on the counter, is he looking for food. Or just playing/investigating.

 

[BlueRaccoon]

So he's still pretty young. When he gets on the counter, is he looking for food. Or just playing/investigating.

I think both! Lol He likes to jump up on everything to investigate, however, he definitely likes the occasional treat!

 

[daftcat75]

I don’t. At 15 years, Krista isn’t going to change her ways. She’s my furry Feng Shui consultant. If she knocks something off, she didn’t like its energy. I find it a new home. If she gets into trouble, I learn to not leave trouble out for her. If I don’t do the dishes, she will. I may be the cat dad. But she’s the master and I am her student.

 

[rubysmama]

I think both! Lol He likes to jump up on everything to investigate, however, he definitely likes the occasional treat!

To try to discourage him, keep food off the counter, or in containers. Not easy, I know. And say "no" and take him down when he gets on the counter. Also say "no" when you see him about to jump up. And hopefully he'll eventually get out of the habit.

When you do have food on the counter, you may have to put the kitten in another room and close the door. Especially if there's a chance of him getting on the stove.

 

[Neko-chan's mama]

I g got cheap plastic place mats at the dollar store and covered them with double sided tape. Put them in all the counter. It seems to be working.

 

[BlueRaccoon]

To try to discourage him, keep food off the counter, or in containers. Not easy, I know. And say "no" and take him down when he gets on the counter. Also say "no" when you see him about to jump up. And hopefully he'll eventually get out of the habit.

When you do have food on the counter, you may have to put the kitten in another room and close the door. Especially if there's a chance of him getting on the stove.

Great ideas! Thank you!

 

[BlueRaccoon]

I g got cheap plastic place mats at the dollar store and covered them with double sided tape. Put them in all the counter. It seems to be working.

Thank you for the idea!

 

[goingpostal]

Good luck lol. The advice for cats off counters is to cover them with a bunch of stuff cats dislike that may or may not work or keep a constant eye and correct nonstop. I just accept that cats like high places and clean my counters frequently while not leaving breakables on them.

 

[danteshuman]

Mine views the counters as a short cut! I eventually gave up and just hurry him along. So now he runs across the counters! He even has a step ladder (used to be my couch now it’s my bed.) He knows across the cabinet is food. I even tried a squirt gun a few times & have him a high place to be. He still does it!!! Prompting me to buy the world’s most expensive cat proof drainer.... an automatic dish dryer!


Try sticky tape. It is what I am trying next. Twerp .... he is lucky I love him!

 

[Graceful-Lily]

Felix started going on the counter/kitchen table when I started feeding him close to there. I moved his food stuff into the basement, removing his reason for checking the table and counter for food. If there isn't anything incising, he has no reason to check it out... unless he gets curious or just wants to break rules.

 

[KarenKat]

If you find a solution I’m interested.

 

[Libby.]

He's still a baby. Think tween/teenager. They are big enough to get into a lot of trouble at that age. You might want to try a squirt bottle to squirt him when he jumps up on the counters. And put away breakables.

 

[ArtNJ]

After having six different cats over a few decades, here is my methodology:

(1) put on floor x several hundred times. Whacking the table, clapping or snapping can work too, if you use those noises to express displeasure;

(2) some cats stop (yay!), some dont. If cat doesn't stop, shrug. Oh well!

(3) if you feel like it, continue removing cat with no expectation of the behavior changing and sometimes it will, eventually. Just don't get too invested in it;

If there is a particular area that you feel the need to be really serious about, try getting more stern, and really clapping loudly or whacking the table before proceeding to remove the cat if still needed.

The double sided tape idea sounds like a great idea if its really bothering you and you emotionally *need* results. Like many others, I've gotten over it, and can't be bothered, but I remember when we were super serious about it and completely get why some might start taping up their counters.

 

[daftcat75]

He's still a baby. Think tween/teenager. They are big enough to get into a lot of trouble at that age. You might want to try a squirt bottle to squirt him when he jumps up on the counters. And put away breakables.

I don't recommend the squirt bottle. Many cats don't make the connection between jumping on the counter and getting squirted. If you want to use something like that, you could try Ssscat (the motion detection air spray can.) But unless they can see the can, they'll likely keep testing it because that's what cats do. The other reason I don't recommend the squirt bottle is that many cats are clever enough to work out that if you aren't there to see them or squirt them, they'll go on the counter when you aren't there. Even the sticky tape needs to be constantly reapplied because cats will test it over and over again. It's a rare cat that learns, "unpleasant this time means unpleasant next time too."

 

[DreamerRose]

Mingo has always stayed off the counters, but Lily would do it again and again. I finally bought Ssscat, and it's been a big success. I've had to move it around to wherever her favorite spot was, but it works. It's even gotten her to stop scratching an armchair (there are plenty of scratchers around). I highly recommend it.

 

[rubysmama]

If you find a solution I’m interested.

 

[danteshuman]

I put the dishwashing tub & extra drainer onto my stove top to keep my twerp from jumping up on my gas range & turning the knobs. (I rarely use it.) Note his high kitchen perch that he loves but nothing beats the counter shortcut from the living room to the kitchen.


Which prompted me to pay $90 for an automatic dish dryer to keep his fuzzy but from getting in with my clean dishes or brushing up against them! He is still a teen, I keep hoping he will learn!