Does anyone have any ideas how to keep a cat from jumping on the kitchen counters?

Answer 1

No way. Childproof them. My Stimpy Knows not to knock into things. LUCK

Answer 2

There is this double sided tape that you can buy from the petstore mainly for cats who claw on furniture or jump on counters and you put it on the counter and when he jumps up there it will be sticky and then he'll jump down.. Its also really easy to remove =) Dont worry once he gets the idea that when he jumps up there its sticky he'll stop =) you wont need the tape too long =)

Answer 3

better than a spray bottle, which cats can just view as agression from you, is buy the ultra lite double sided sticky tape at the pet store: it is not too sticky, but is clear, easy to put and easy to remove: and kittys hate it!! after a week or so of jumping up onto the sticky tape, they will stop... reapply when a reminder is needed!
I also pick up my cats and say no no and put them on the floor... has worked for me! remember, no yelling, flinging, or spanking, cats dont equate that with the counter, just as agression from you. good luck!

Answer 4

Don't bother with squirting water or other types of direct punishment - they only teach the cat to climb up there when you aren't around, and may damage your cat's trust in you.

The best way to stop this is to take a two-pronged approach:

1) Address your cat's natural need to climb up high, by buying or building tall cat trees for the cat to climb on. If space is an issue, you can find cat trees that fit closely against a wall, or even attach directly to the wall, or you can build some yourself by attaching carpet-covered shelves to your walls (make sure they're sturdy) in a stair-step pattern that the cat can jump on. Put one of these trees, or a high stool your cat is allowed to sit on, in or near the kitchen if your cat likes to be able to watch you while you're in the kitchen. Encourage him to sit there instead of trying to jump on the counters or walk under your feet while you're trying to cook by placing him there & giving him a treat or pet.

2) Make the surfaces you don't want your cat on less appealing to the cat. You can choose any one of many different ways:
a) put some double-sided sticky tape on a piece of cardboard cut to fit the table or counter
b) fill a shallow pan with water and set it on the counter
c) fill some empty aluminum cans with pennies and stack them so they'll make a lot of noise when they're knocked down (this needs to be re-set, though, and won't work on cats who aren't bothered by noise)
d) try a plastic mat with bumpy nubs that are uncomfortable for the cat to walk on http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=10301&N=2002+2017
e) try an electronic device or spray repellant designed to discourage the cat from jumping on the surface http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/NavResults.cfm?N=2002+2017 The Ssscat spray device or the Scat Mat are options for this

Using this combined approach will keep your cat happy by providing him with places to jump on, and using remote means to make the counters unappealing will teach him to prefer his climbing areas to the forbidden surfaces ALL the time, not just when you're around to tell him 'no'.

Answer 5

Aluminum foil...they hate the sound it makes when they step on it...lay some sheets on your counters when they aren't being used...this will disway them...if you are always using your counters, a spray bottle of harmless water will do the trick...spray them consistently and they will learn real fast not to do that (also works on kittens making like Tarsan off curtains, etc). Cats learn really fast, so it only takes a little patience...

Answer 6

my kittens are a PAIN about this. all you have to do is keep a spray bottle in the kitchen, and when the cat jumps on the table (or counters) you just spray them in the flank. and if that doesn't work you have to get mean and spray them ABOVE THE EYES. it always works.

Answer 7

The only way I have been able to train my cat things like this is by using a sound that he HATES. Cats are very responsive to sound--ever notice how quickly your cat comes when he hears the rattle of his food bag? In my case, I shake a small piggybank full of coins when my cat does something I don't want him to. He hates this sound so much that now all I have to do is pick up the piggybank and show it to him (without shaking it) and he stops whatever he is doing!

Answer 8

I have used wet cloth towels or wet paper towels. Also, there is a plant called Rue, cats hate the smell of it (the smell doesn't bother humans, well me anyway) but it isn't harmful to the cat. Pot up some rue and put it on the counter.
If your going to be gone for more than a day, I would suggest thumb tacks.
K. Finch

Answer 9

keep a spray bottle handy, when ever the cat jumps on the counter squirt it with water. eventually the cat will learn not to jump on the counter cause it will not want to be squirted with water.

Answer 10

I agree with the double sided tape idea, but I recommend placing the tape in cardboard or something. Not directly on the counter.