How do I keep my cat from...?

Question

jumping up on my kitchen counter? he does this every night as soon as i go to bed. he won't do it when i'm awake, but as soon as i hit the hay, he hits the counter. i know this is normal cat behaviour, but i hate finding cat hair on my counter and my son is allergic so i'd like to minimize the contact with kitchen items. my place is open concept, so closing off the kitchen area is not an option.

Answer 1

You are correct. This is normal cat behavior, especially at night when no one is around. There are several options any of which may work. Try lemon/citrus scented solid air freshners on the counters in severla spots, as allegedly cats detest the smell. Or, there are small static mats, that send out a static charge (like when you run your hand over your TV screen), doesn't hurt them but annoys them. There is now (about$40) a product at most pet stores, I think it's called "Scaat!" or something like that. It is a can of either pressurized air or some liquid with a small motion detector in the top, and if set on the counter, when the cat's movements are detected, it discharges a spraying/hissing noise that surprises the cat and acts as behavioral deterrent. Perhaps after a few surprises of the noise, he will find something else to do. At least ours did. Then, there is always the "pokey mats" that are plastic with spines sticking up so when he jumps up there he gets his paws poked. (That didn't work in our house. Most mornings the mats were on the floor and the cat hair on the countertops.) Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Hmm.. Cats have a strong will of their own, and it might like the sink because you prepare food for it there, or leave dishes with delicacies on it? It's hard to then 'unteach' such behaviour. But you could try making your kitchen sink smelly (citrus fruits work like a charm), noisy (sand, foil, dishes) or wet (slippery) so they hurt themselves once and learn not to go on there anymore.. Increasing the height of the kitchen counter with boxes, books or whatever on top of it could work too, but it's messy. You might have to do it the hard way by paying attention all the time, punching or scaring them off until they stop trying.. Or just leave the entire kitchen floor soaked at night - that would stop the cat from even getting near the counter..

Answer 3

You can set up booby traps! If he has a bad experience when he sneaks up there he might just never try it again. Set up some tin cans/noisy objects that will fall when he jumps. Try a "Scat Mat" if you can afford one. Use double-sided tape to make it feel funny or somehow make the surface uncomfortable. Leave lots of plastic cups filled with water on the counter so he gets wet. Does he have something that he's afraid of? Perhaps you can put the vaccuum cleaner attachments on the counter or something. Citrus and sweet perfume can act as a repellant. I would use that along with a booby trap so they associate the smell with the trap and you'll only need to use the smell after a while. Get a cat tree or window perch and use catnip on them to attract him to correct areas.

Answer 4

Put a Scat Mat on your counter when you go to bed (or leave the house). Eventually, he'll learn not to do it, and you won't need the mat any more. Google Scat Mat, and there are lots of online retailers. It's basically a plastic mat with fine wire running through that deliver a small static shock. It's totally safe, and will not hurt your cat. It will be like your cat got a static shock, that's all. I have a couple, and they work great.

Answer 5

Teach him the word "NO" in a loud tone with an arm movement motioning get down. He might still do it, but maybe he'll stop and at least when you say no, he'll jump off. I have 5 cats and 3 out of the 5 understand the word no, one of my cats actually talks back and the kitten understands the word "OUCH". So it all depends on the way you train them, and you'll have to give him some time to be trained.

Answer 6

Do you have a cat tree? This might help the cat keep busy in the night and you from cleaning off the counter. Be sure to get cat nip and toys for night time. Try different typs of toys ( cats like kids like different things to play with).

Answer 7

There are little things called "snappy trainers" that are mouse traps with huge red "flaps" You can line your counter with them. They go off and scare the cat, after a few nights he will stay down. Worked for my cats, and was inexpensive. They are available at Petsmart, or other pet stores. Just be sure the flap is connected well, or it could really get your cat.

Answer 8

Try to punish teh cat in a way it really doesn't like, for example squirting it with water. Try surprising the cat at night when it jumps up there and give it a squirt or two. When it realizes that it keeps gettign wet from being up there, it's instinct will be to stop. Good luck with that.

Answer 9

if you spray the cat with water from a squirt bottle, he will know that he is not welcome on your counters. if you leave the bottle in the open at nights, he might see that as a sign to stay away. closing the cat in the bathroom at night is also an option( or where ever your litter box is that way he wont leave any surprizes for you in the morning.)

Answer 10

Try putting foil on the counter top. Cats don't like the noise or the reflectiveness of it. It's something easy to try. Also, there are cat deterrent sprays you could use.