I have a 1 year old Siamese that just WILL NOT stay off the kitchen counters. I've tried everything--spraying him with water, pushing him off (don't worry, I don't shove him, I'm not mean about it), putting foil up on the counters because my mom told me it'd keep him off...nothing works! It's gotten so bad that I have to yell at him every ten minutes or so to get him off the counter. He is neutered, by the way, in case that makes any difference. What can I do to keep him off the counters? The "bar" that separates the kitchen and living room is too long to put any kind of barrier up.
2006-10-17 12:58:05 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
There are several products you could try. One is a plastic mat with raised, pointy bumps (called the X-Mat). There is another called the Scat Mat that releases a static electricity charge as a deterrent. Yet another is the Sofa Scram Mat which makes a loud noise when a cat puts a paw on it. Double-stick tape would work well, too (cats HATE that!), but sometimes it can leave adhesive residue; there is a product called Sticky Paws made specifically for putting on counters and furniture to keep animals off (you can even put it in plants to keep them from digging).
They work on the principle that, "Once a cat jumps on a hot stove, he'll never do it again. He also will never jump on a cold stove, either."
My links are for Drs. Foster and Smith, but you can probably get these at places like Petco or PetSmart.
p.s. I don't recommend the alcohol thing; it can be highly toxic if inhaled, both to you and your kitty. The bottle warns about that, and about ingesting it (which he will do if he licks it off) and about getting it in/on eyes or mucous membranes.
2006-10-17 13:31:31 · answer #1 · answered by ChickenGrrl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have one fourteen year old cat that is always on my counter. Especially in the morning when I am trying to read the paper. I sometimes just brush him off.
The only thing I can say about cat behavior or human behavior is that what you put energy into INCREASES so he is up on the counters more and you are letting yourself get upset more and more. What harm is there in it really? I clean my counters off with warm soapy water and a sponge every day. It really is not worth getting upset about. Who wants sticky tape on the top of the counters (that might work, by the way)?
The principles of the martial arts are helpful with cat behavior and with people -- you go around the problem and don't meet it head on. You might just find that letting go will help the problem go away or decrease significantly.
I also had a yoga teacher whose stance was "Just say Yes!" and I found that worked for me with some frustrating situations in my life. Sometimes when you are willing to give even very unreasonable people what they are demanding you will find they will back off and not pressure you so much.
2006-10-17 13:22:14 · answer #2 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Siamese cats are a bread of there own.be very thankful that he is not climbing your walls and curtains. As for him going on the counters you might want to try putting some pennies in a soda can and when he jumps up on the counter go behind him and shake the can that might work for you but you have to give it some time.
2006-10-17 13:12:09 · answer #3 · answered by jeffreed_661 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
my siamese and snowshoe do the same thing on the coffee table. I can't keep them off! I do know that the tape thing works but it's a pain to keep it up. They don't like the smell of moth balls. they are toxic if eaten so put them in a small plastic butter container and punch small holes in the top set them around where they are not to go and see if it works.. for a couple of bucks at the dollar store what do you have to lose.
2006-10-17 13:16:20 · answer #4 · answered by sunbunnie72 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put tape across the counter, sticky side up. He will get it on his paws and freak out and run away. When he is gone, tape stuck to him, set up another strip.
It won't hurt him and he will remove the tape himself. Just don't use duct tape.
It should only take one or two tries. I would sugguest removing anything breakable from the counter until he learns his leason, as he might knock stuff down in his flee.
2006-10-17 13:10:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes aggression and irritation can be a sign that a cat is in pain or not feeling well. It is best to take her to the vet for a check-up before thinking about a behavioural problem. Good luck!
2016-05-21 22:04:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He needs to know you are the boss not him.
He is ignoring your commands.
Instead of shouting, try lifting him firmly off the bar each time and teaching him to stay off by rewarding his good behaviour with a treat.
2006-10-17 13:12:23 · answer #7 · answered by livitet 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DO NOT SPRAY RUBBING ALCHOLOL ON THERE FACE. trust me that will burn soo bad if ti gets in there face and could make it go blind. dont take that other persons advice obviously they dont know much about animals. they will do that no matter what. they do it for attention. and make sure you dont have any food left out on there either. theres not much you can do. just spray it with water not alcholol. who would ever think of that. OMG.
2006-10-17 13:12:27 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try putting a treat close to him to get his attention and then say sit etc. and if he does that give him the treat
2006-10-17 13:23:13 · answer #9 · answered by advice girl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a spray bottle and fill it with rubbing alcohol. Cats hate that and it won't hurt them. I know this sounds mean, but try to spray in the face area. They don't care for the smell. By the way, I dearly love cats.
2006-10-17 13:01:25 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋