need suggestions.

[dejolane]

 My Bella who is now 5 years old has suddenly taken a like to laying on my stove. I know it's unsanitary with her being in the litter and cat hair all over the stove that I have to wipe it down alot. So I'm asking for suggestions on how to keep her off the stove.

 

[micknsnicks2mom]

may i ask -- is your stove top warm (not as in a hot burner, but from a pilot light)? if that might be what your Bella is attracted to, likes about laying on the stove top then maybe making her own special warm spot would help...? there are quite a few types of cat/dog warmers that aren't plug-in, electric. like this kind -- http://www.mainewarmers.com/shop/cozy-cat-bed-warmer/   i think that kind is made for humans, but i don't think your Bella would mind. and there's this kind -- http://www.walmart.com/ip/K-H-Manufacturing-Microwavable-Pet-Bed-Warmer/15405193. then there are these kind --  http://www.petstages.com/our-products/Dog/Soothe   i have a collection of petstages warmers for my cats -- in various shapes/sizes. they have buckwheat pouches that you warm in the microwave, and then place them in the cloth outer covers with velcro to close up the pocket where the buckwheat pouches go into. these petstages warmers are not very expensive, and mine have lasted for at least 7 or 8 years now.

i think if you can try to figure out what it is about the stove top that's attracting your Bella, it would be easiest to try giving her that in a more appropriate spot(s).

 

[dejolane]

no pilot light.. Bella loves being on top of the frigerator too. Thunder jumps on the top of my curio cabinet to lay there sometimes too.

 

[micknsnicks2mom]

so maybe it's 'smooth, elevated, and cool(?)' that she likes......? for the top of the fridge, i'd add 'quiet out-of-the-way place' too.

since it's warm/hot this time of year, maybe she likes the coolness of the stove top...?

 

[margd]

People often use double-sided sticky tape or aluminum foil on counter tops to train cats not to jump on countertops. I suppose in theory you could put either of these on the stove although just on general principle, I don't like to put anything on top of a stove. Since you don't have a pilot light, it might be safe though.

 

[LTS3]

Is it one of those smooth glass top stoves? It bascially looks like part of the ktichen counter to a cat

My Aby burned his paw walking across my glass top stove as a kitten

The stove was off but had been used so it was still scorching HOT. Gas stove with the grates and electric stoves with the coils are less appealing for a cat to walk on and not comfortale to lie on but there are exceptions.

Try keeping some heavy pots on the stove even when you're not using it. That would discourage the cat from trying to lie on top.

There are some training aids you can try:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3261+1894+10802&pcatid=10802

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3261+1894+10301&pcatid=10301

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3261+1894+668&pcatid=668

If your cat is looking for a cool spot, try placing a small flat slate of granite or marble in the freezer until realy cold and then give it to your cat to lie on. Wrap the stone in a blanket to prevent your cat from getting too cold. Here's a small granite stone meant for chinchillas: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=16940 You can also try pet cooling mats: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=29985

Do you have a cat tree? It sounds like your cats are looking for an elevated place to rest. Bookshelves and tall cabinets are common spots but make sure they are sturdy. Attaching the furniture to the wall with wall safety anchors will keep your furniture upright instead of crashing down and potentially injuring your cats. A sturdy cat tree is a better option.

 

[dejolane]

no cat tree yet but am willing to try anything. Bella is now laying on the counter and won't come down but to pop. If I take her in my arms for comfort she just goes back to the counter I have put a towel down also.

 

[dejolane]

I have put foil on the stove top and pans Bella just tries to move them with her body.

 

[misterwhiskers]

Put double sided sticky tape on the foil. They make it just for pets and you can buy at Petsmart etc. it's not so sticky it would stay stuck to their fur.

I once used sheets from an extra sticky roller to dissuade Robin from jumping on a shelf. Don't try this at home. Omg the results were hilarious in a sad way. It stuck to his side. He crawled under my bed all night, and when I saw him I freaked because it looked like something had scooped him out. That was the sticky sheet smothering down his fur. [emoji]128534[/emoji] Needless to say he lost a lot of fur that day, and for once he didn't fight me. (I had to cut the thing off.)

He also never tried to jump that shelf again. [emoji]128576[/emoji]