My cat loves the counter, only his second favorite place to play is the fireplace. I wake up every morning or come home from work to find black pawprints all over the counter. I allow my cat, which is always kept inside, almost unlimited freedom. The counter is one place I forbid. I have tried double-sided tape (it's more of an inconvenience for me than him), water in cookie sheets lined around the counter edges (there are only so many sheets), squirting with a water gun (I can only monitor it so many hours a day, and he waits until I'm away), yelling and even light smacks to his rear. He knows it is forbidden, but he does not stop jumping up there. I have always been a dog owner, and he is my first cat. We get along great until I catch him on the counter. I have zero experience in cat discipline. Someone, PLEASE help me figure out a way to get through to this knucklehead.
2006-09-24 18:22:02 · 21 answers · asked by starfish9399 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
BITTER APPLE SPRAY! This stuff is amazing. My cat used to chew cords and go on counters, but as soon as I started spraying the cords and counters with Bitter Apple spray, it stopped! It's not toxic or anything either, and as far as I could tell, wasn't fragrant to humans. It's available at most pet stores.
2006-09-24 19:31:46 · answer #1 · answered by Caroline 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would buy a bunch of cheap plastic bins/boxes. (you could use them for storage after) Then cover the entire counter with them and fill with enough water that he can not knock them off the counter. Keep up with the spraying too! But DONT yell or say anything to the cat when he is doing this. It sounds crazy but he could be enjoying some attention from you when you yell at him. If there is any kind of treat he loves, for the time being, give it to him every time he i in the kitchen and doesn't attempt to go on the counter. It would be best if it were a toy so that if he does try to go up there you can take it away from him before you take him off the counter. I am not a cat person and have always been grossed out by how many owners allow their cats free reign so kudos to you!
2006-09-24 18:34:24 · answer #2 · answered by mazzie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I was going to suggest a water gun but since you have tried that, I am wondering if you keep his food on the counter top. Don't give up using the water gun though. Eventually he will stop. Good luck. I lost quite a few Christmas ornaments from my cat climbing the Christmas tree. You might try using a folded newspaper on his little behind.
2006-09-24 19:00:52 · answer #3 · answered by makeitright 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
when you are not home keep cat in another room away from kitchen. When you are home slap the counter top with a dish towel each time cat gets up there and say no". My cat hates the smell of Baby Magic Lotion. Maybe could try that somehow.
2006-09-24 18:43:13 · answer #4 · answered by winkcat 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Welcome to the Cat's world!
Cat likes high secure area. Maybe you can build a higher platform in the kitchen where it feels better to be there (it has a good view of the the whole kitchen, preferably against a wall or window). This will reduce the cat from going to the counter.
2006-09-24 18:41:03 · answer #5 · answered by CK 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try putting aluminum foil on the countertops... it's slippery and cats don't like it. Or you could stack empty soda cans so when he jumps up, they'll fall and make a racket. Continue with the squirt gun while you're home and don't give positive reinforcement when he jumps on the counters.
2006-09-24 18:26:41 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put orange or lemon peel around on the counters. They don't like the smell of it. If it jumps up there and smells it, it will jump down again. Keep it up for a while and see if it gets the message.
Otherwise, I'm at a loss. Because he can do it when you are not there and doesn't get punished, it is hard for him to learn.
Maybe get a door for your kitchen if you can.
2006-09-24 18:32:31 · answer #7 · answered by sarah071267 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may want to consider getting a scat mat. This device is activated by a cat who steps on it. It gives out a very low voltage zap every time the cat goes on a restricted area. It is operated by batteries and my cats hate it. It does not hurt them, it just scares them. I would never put anything in my house to hurt animals.I had to put one under the christmas tree last year because we had a few cats ripping up packages. They would not even attempt it after one zap! It really works. Go down to petsmart and see if they have them. I think that is where I got mine.
2006-09-24 18:59:39 · answer #8 · answered by Marie 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It doesn't matter. They get up there when you aren't home anyway. I tried all the suggestions. I gave up. I use a diluted bleach solution to wipe the counters down if I'm going to be preparing food. Less of a headache than trying to catch them in the act.
2006-09-24 18:36:19 · answer #9 · answered by ebonyruffles 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Try reversing masking/scotch tape on the counter. Litter it with sticky tape and when his/her paws touch it, they won't go back for more. Not painful, but not fun for the sensitive paws.
2006-09-24 18:25:49 · answer #10 · answered by Steve S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋