How do I keep my cat off the kitchen counters?

Answer 1

We have the same problem. You have to be consistant about scolding them for being on the counters. If a guest comes over and the cat jumps up on the counter and your guest pets the cat while on the counter, it is rewarding your cat for being on the counter. Or it would seem to him or her. So no matter who is over you have to be consistant and let your guest know that it is not ok for the cat to be on the counter and immediately scold your cat when he or she is on the counter. Just be consistant and you will see results.

Answer 2

I trained our cat to stay off the counters by scolding it constantly but gently. I was lucky though, that I was able to stay home all day & catch him many times.
I would take him in my arms over the counter & put his nose to it then repeat the word no! several times. Rarely did I slap him but did lightly, if he jumped right back on soon after. It took a few weeks for our cat to stop this behavior. Good luck!

Answer 3

This is the one instance where the water spray is most effective. I think that the spraying is much over-used and with the counter problem I have found it to be very effective.

Cats also lose their interest in being on counters if there is nothing interesting for them to investigate there - kept cleaned off, no food left on them, etc.

Answer 4

I wish I knew, my cat does the same thing! I came home the other day and he had turned the water on in the kitchen sink, I just wish he had washed the dishes also!

Answer 5

Don't look and you won't see it. The cat wants to be in high places. You might be able to keep it off when you are home, but it will go up there when you are gone. Just get some Clorox wipes or Lysol wipes and wipe your counters off before you prepare food. There are probably more germs on your hands than there are on the cat.

Answer 6

Sprinkle a little cayenne pepper on the counter. It really irritates them and they won't want to have it on their feet. It is too hot to lick off. It sounds cruel, but its better that pushing them off or yelling at them all the time.
They also have this spray that tastes like bitter lemon. I don't know if that works, I haven't tried it.

Answer 7

I taught my cat by squirting her with a water bottle every time she got on the table or the counter. She learned quickly that she got wet every time she did it so she stopped doing it.

Answer 8

With my fat kitty, anytime she did something wrong when she was a baby like claw the couch or try to go outside, I dinged a bellhop style bell. She learned very quickly. With Ernesto, however, I just yell at him. It isnt working as well. I need my bell back. Water has never offended any of my kittens.

Answer 9

Try a citrus spay on the counters, cats are not fond of citrus.

Answer 10

tape
spray them with water
lemon juice