How do you keep a cat off kitchen tables and countertops? What is best way to make lasting impression?

Question

Cat is a wonderful pet and extremely friendly which is unusual. However, walking on food areas is a problem. Can you help me?

Answer 1

Hello, This is what I use and works:

SSSCAT Spray
Ideal for avoidance training
* Sprays odorless, non-staining gas

Keep your cat off of furniture, countertops, and plants. SSSCAT Spray senses your cat within 1 meter, then emits a startling, deterring spray. Contains odorless, non-staining gas, harmless to pets and people. Approximately 150 sprays per can. Refills available. Requires 4 AAA batteries, not included.
How it works
When the movement of a cat is detected by the SSSCAT motion detector, a spray is automatically released towards the animal. The cat is surprised and runs away.

Features & Benefits

Scentless, harmless, and stainless spray
Adjustable angle between detection of motion and direction of spray
Adjustable nozzle position for upward and downward direction of spray
Uses 4 AAA batteries (not included)
On/off button
Keeps your cat from:
Scratching furniture
Jumping on counters, tables, etc.
Jumping in the Christmas tree
Digging in and chewing plants
Entering rooms that are off-limits
Stealing food
Improper elimination
Scat Refill
Contains a gas (HFC134a) that is 100% safe for people, animals, and the environment. It has no active chemical agent, only an innocuous propellant. Stainless, ozone friendly, and has no side effects. Refills can be purchased separately.

I buy mine from http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=10802&Ntt=scat&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&pc=1&N=0&Nty=1, but you can get it at other places. They also have: Scat Mats and Strips http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=668&Ntt=scat&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&pc=1&N=0&Nty=1
* Safe and effective training aid
* Consistent training at the problem location
* Static sensations generated are sufficiently surprising

* Environment, rather than an owner, doing the 'conditioning'


Safe, effective mats keep pets out of prohibited areas. Emits a mild, but uncomfortable static charge, letting your pet know the area is "off-limits." Clear design practically disguises itself and prevents pets from becoming "product-wise." Use Mat for furniture, doorways, or car hoods; Strip for windowsills; Mat Jr. on counters and garbage cans. Requires 9-volt battery, not included, or try the convenient plug-in Power Adapter.
I just bought one and not yet hooked it up.
I put the scat stuff on the counters and I am going to put the mat on the table. The spray kept my kitty away from the Christmas
Tree like a charm. He stays off the counters too. When the can starts spraying when he isn't around, that is the time to change the batteries, just a hint from me.

The water bottle will work while you are there, but when you are not home, the scat pray works wonderfully.

Answer 2

Choose a word that you do not use normally - I used "phooey". When your cat goes where it should not, say the word FIRMLY and clearly and put the cat down off the forbidden area.

NEVER hit a cat as discipline. It will teach your cat that it is okay to be violent. The cat will often get used to violence and be violent itself.

If your cat does not like water, you can also spray the cat with some water while you say the word - then put the cat off the forbidden surface. If the cat likes water, try clapping your hands loudly when you say the word. I have even seen success by whistling loudly just after saying the word.

The MOST important thing is to be CONSISTENT. Always do it the same way.

Eventually, the cat will associate the word with a negative action (the water or clapping or whistling) and respond only to the word. You can use this technique to stop various undesirable behaviours.

Answer 3

There's a couple different ways and what works will depend on your cat. If the cat is scared of loud noises, take some empty pop cans and put some beans or small rocks in them, tape over the holes and set the cans on the edge of the counter so the cat will knock them off when it jumps up. Another way is to take one-sided scotch tape and line the counters sticky side up with a few pieces folding the ends under so they stay put. Cats don't like things stuck to thier feet. Or you can just have a squirt bottle handy and spray the cat when it jumps up.

Answer 4

Spray the cat with a water bottle. Just make sure he doesn't see you doing it because then he will get on the table when you are not around and you want him off it at all times. You'll have to do this for a few days.

Answer 5

You should not open the door otherwise they will think it is fine to scratch the door and get your attention in the wee hours. If they like scratching so much, maybe you should get a scratching post for them? I know you said your parents won't buy things for them, but if you ever get their permission, buy your cats a scratching post. My kitties love scratching. Also, you can buy a cat-repeller to spray on the door. It's a spray which smells like mosquito repellent, and keep cats away. They dislike the smell. Now my cats run away whenever I threaten them by showing the spray can, when they are up to mischief! I think there are home remedies to make one, but I'm not sure if it works.

Answer 6

Sorry but the spray bottle trick never works for me cause I seem to aquire cats that like it. My trick, and it may seem cruel but is actually harmless, is mousetraps. I set a couple on the table, counter, in potted plants, whereever I don't want them to be. When they hit the traps, they snap and it scares the bejebes outta them. Most times they learn from the first snap. Ppl know whenever I have a new cat cause they see the traps all set up. I buy them not for mice but for cats.

Answer 7

Put either tin foil or double sided tape on your countertop where she jumps up.

The tin foil is pretty easy, but it will slide. Cats seem to detest the sensation of the tin foil under their paws, though.

The double sided tape may leave a messy residue to clean up, but cats hate the sticky feeling under their paws, too.

And as others have said, if you catch them there, squirt them with a water spray bottle.

Answer 8

It's very easy, get a spray bottle and put water in it and spray them when they are doing something like getting up on the countertops or tables. It won't hurt them and it will break them of bad habits.

Answer 9

I have two cats and to keep them off the tables whenever they went on it I would stomp my feet to sort of scare them and then just give them a lite tap on the back. It has worked for me, they don't go on them anymore besides every once and a while. Hope this helps.

Answer 10

Spread something sticky one counters or table: honey, molasses, etc. The cat won't like that her paws stick and she'll stay off. Or, if you don't want to make a mess, just spread foil on the counter. Your cat won't like the sound it makes when she jumps on it, and she'll leave it alone. Good luck! :)