How do you keep a cat from jumping on the countertop in the kitchen?

Question

Serious answers please.

Answer 1

wipe it down with amonia the cat cannot stand the smell and stays away.

Answer 2

We have had this problem BIG TIME! We are still trying to break our cat of doing the same thing. We fill a squirt bottle with water and try to consistently spray him if he even THINKS about jumping on the countertop. We also sharply yell "No" at him as we clap our hands. We do have the Invisible Fence collar for him that would give him a small zap if he jumped on the counter. But we haven't resorted to using it---that's a last resort. Good luck!
P.S. - We'll have to try the ammonia and/or vinegar trick.

Answer 3

For the most effective results, you'll need to do two things:

1) Provide him with alternative places he can go to be up high. Cats have a natural need to climb up on things and observe what's going on around them, so if you provide the cat with a climbing tree or up-high places that he is allowed to go, it will be easier to get him to stay off of the counters & other places where you don't want him. If he likes to watch you while you're in the kitchen, you could try setting a tall stool nearby where he can observe without getting in the way or on the counter.

2) Make the areas where you don't want him to go less appealing, so he'll prefer his climbing tree and perches. Booby-trapping the off-limits area is usually the most effective solution, so the cat learns to stay off the counter even if you aren't around to tell him to get down. After a couple of weeks of using the booby traps, he should learn to prefer his tree to the counters.

Some safe booby-trap ideas:

1) Cut a piece of cardboard or plywood fitted to cover the countertop, and cover it with double-sided sticky tape. When the cat jumps up on the counter, he won't like the feel of the tape, and will begin to avoid the area. When you need to use the counter, just remove the cover and replace it when you're done.
or,
2) Fill some big shallow pans with a little water and place those on the counter where he's likely to jump up
or,
3) Put some rubber mats on the counter, bumpy side up - most cats won't like the feel on their paws.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=10301&N=2002+2017
or,
4) Electronic deterrent devices
http://www.ssscat.com/
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=3453&N=2002+2017
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=668&N=2002+2017

Answer 4

Tell him to stop.

I'm serious; if you tell him in his own language he'll understand.

When he jumps up on the counter, go over and look him in the eyes with your face right up to his and your eyes wide open and HISS at him. Follow the hiss with the word no, in the hope that he'll learn that word in our language. Then pick him up, gently put him down on the floor, and tell him what a good boy he is.

He should get the idea pretty quickly that you don''t want him on the counter and that staying on the floor gets your approval. He should also learn the meaning of the word No, so that after a while, when you see him setting up to jump you can just say No and he'll be reminded that he shouldn't jump up there.

Using this method you should be able to train any kitty not to jump up on the counter. Or at least you can train kitty not to let you see him jump up onto the counter. Whether kitty will stay off the counter when you're not around depends on kitty's personality and attitude...

Answer 5

This sounds bad but is perfectly humane. We used this trick to keep my cats out fo the baby's crib before there was a baby in it.

Set a mouse trap and set it gently (operative word) UPSIDEDOWN on the counter top. Then, put a thick towel on top of the trap. When the cat jumps up, the trap snaps harmlessly under the towel and scares the bejezzus out of the cat. You will not need to do this again. In fact, it may keep the cat out of the kitchen altogether.

Answer 6

You can but this thing called scat spray. It's a can that has a sensor and it can either sound an alarm or actually send out a spray. It's safe and it worked well with my cats. You can find it at Dr. Foster and smith online. I'm not sure if pet stores sell it. I tried everything else but this was the only thing that really worked. Good luck!

Answer 7

Ammonia is a good suggestion for when you are not there. When you catch him jumping, I'd suggest the ole squirting with water bottle trick... if you've got a stubborn one blasting an air horn will do it too. It may sound mean but just a few times and they'll never ever do it again.

Answer 8

Get a spray bottle, fill it with water, and spray the cat when it jumps up. It wil not be happy with getting sprayed, and as long as it is only sprayed when doing negative behaviors, it will associate the water with doing negative things, so it will stay off.

Answer 9

I am having this same problem right now with my 4 month old kitten. I just keep picking him up and saying, no kitties on the counter. If he continues, then I get my spray bottle and squirt him. Usually the second he sees me get it, he runs.

Answer 10

We have the same problem with our cat. You have to be VERY consistent. Everytime the cat gets up, put him/her back down. Don't yell, that will just make it scared. If you are to lazy, spray bitter apple over the couter. That will make him stop.

Answer 11

SPRAY WITH THE WATER SPRAY BOTTLE AND SAY NO A COUPLE OF TIMES IN A EVERY HARD, DEEP VOICE. AFTER A WEEK OR SO UR CAT WILL NEVER GO ON ANYTHING YOU DONT WANT IT TO. YOUR KITTY KNOWS WHEN UR MAD AND REMEMBERS THE TONE OF UR VOICE AND THE SPRAY. SO AFTER A WHILE YOU DON'T HAVE TO USE THE SPARY ANYMORE JUST SAY NO AND THEY WILL UNDERSTAND.... SAME GOES FOR EVERYTHING ELSE U DONT WANT UR KITTY TO DO... THEY'RE VERY SMART....