How do I keep my cat off the table, tv, bookcase?

Question

I have a wonderful affectionate male kitten but he's a little terror. I understand he's a kitten and will grow out of some stuff but how do I keep him from climbing furniture? He's knocking over vases, pictures, etc.

He's finally grown out of the climbing the curtains stage, so I'm happy about that. lol

I'll try the double sided tape and balloons! Also, I'll do the squirt bottle when I can since I've not done it like I really should. The mist spray is the only thing that works and I can't always run over to him in time. (my cat likes the shower so water doesn't bug him unless he gets beyond soaked) He has a cat condo and is allowed on the sofa. I just need to train him on all the other stuff. lol. Thanks for the great suggestions! oh, and I have a girl kitty who is an angel so he's got a friend :)

Answer 1

I use a spray bottle on my cat who loves water. Its the noise and shock more than being wet. Make sure the bottle makes a hiss noise when sprayed. Also, cats don't like to stand on aluminum foil. I used to put it on my counters. At the pet store they have large pieces of double sticky tape. I have also plastic wrapped the furniture to stop scratching. It sounds strange, your house will look funny for a while, but it gets better.

Answer 2

He may well not ever really grow out of the "knock ornaments off shelves" stage (two of our cats still seem to do it for pure fun and devilment if there is no human in the room) but a really good way to discourage him is use a small water pistol (NOT one of those blasters!) and squirt him if he gets up on to something he shouldn't. Your kitten should learn very quickly not to get up there, and will probably get down even if he sees the water pistol, without any water getting fired, after the first few times.

What worked well for one of our cats (but only one!) was simply saying "no" repeatedly (not shouting or raising the voice) and lifting him off a shelf or anywhere he should not be and putting him on the floor. He learned very quickly, but he is a lot brighter than the others.

Answer 3

this is actually really simple to answer, i currently have 2 cats and have had more than ten in my lifetime so far (and i'm only 19 haha) anyway, all you need is a spray bottle and/or a squirt gun, when they do something they're not supposed to, spray them when they do it, eventually they'll get the point as to not to climb unless they want to get soaked. its worked for my cats, and also if you dont want him somewhere, take him down immediately, but i must say the spray of water really gets your point across. Good luck!

Answer 4

If you have electronics on your shelves and cannot spray water on that, try putting a few pennies in an empty soda can and putting tape over the top to seal it...then whenever kitty jumps up on stuff he's not supposed to, you can toss that rattley soda can nearby him NOT AT HIM! and the noise from the coins rattling in the can will startle him and help extinguish that behavior.
A product you may wish to get is called "museum wax"......it is a removable and safe wax to put on the bottom of your glass or breakable items to anchor them to the shelf or table. It is used by museums to guard against earthquakes knocking things over and it is the best thing to have if you live with cats and have collectibles. I have a huge art glass collection and live with 4 cats--- everything in my house is museum-waxed to the surfaces, and the cats have never broken a single thing...........its a great product to get !

Answer 5

sometimes well placed balloons can help....if he jumps up on one and it pops they tend to remember the scare and might stop....or (and this may sound a little mean to some but i read this one in a cat book) a spray bottle can work......just give the little guy a warning like "bad kitty" and a little squirt......if normal water doesn't work i have heard that adding just a little bit of vinigar to the water helps! good luck

Answer 6

Spray bottles are a kitten owners best friend, it's a no fail way!! Just put it on a light mist setting, my cats are almost 8, i used it on them as kittens, put them in their place in about a week, and now all you have to is shake an empty bottle and it reminds them.

Answer 7

i used a spray bottle with water to help train my cat (as much as such a thing is even possible). they hate water, but it doesn't hurt them. they get the message.

if he doesn't stop climbing ( a distinct possibility), he will eventually develop better motor skills & not knock things over. i have a very old cat & i am AMAZED at how nimble he is. never knocks over anything, and can navigate his way through the most treacherous of pathways.

good luck!!

Answer 8

When my child started toddling around I had a choice: remove breakables from the coffee table or spend all my days saying "No!" to the child. I choose to remove the breakables of course.

You already know that he will outgrow certain behaviors and you can just be patient and let him mature.

Kittens are such fun, when your guy has been neutered and is a year old you will realise that something has gone out of your life. I like them lazy and snuggly just as much as when they were kittens.

Answer 9

here are my tips for keeping him where u want. i to suggest the suirt bottle, double sided tape, a altoids tin w/ pennies in it, talk to a pet trainer at your local petsmart or petco, and there is the scat matts they are plastic matts w/ pointy nubbs on top and there is also a version that gives them a shocking experience like a static schock. there are training sprays that cats dont like the smell of. and till he learns put up anything valueable,breakable, and get him some catnip and cat grass he will love you 4 it. good luck!

Answer 10

You cannot really stop cats from being who they are. It is a natural tendency for them to climb--they love high places. There are, however, some products on the market which claim to assist in this area. My advice: buy a tall cat tree.