Our two kitties like to jump up on our kitchen counter, and we really don't want them up there. We can't watch them all the time, as we simply don't have the time to do that. So how do we permanently stop them from jumping up on counter? We will NOT get rid of the kitties or throw them out, or give them to someone else, as they are our babies and we love them very much. Adult mature answers would most apperciated. Thank you to all who answer.
2007-03-12 17:11:00 · 10 answers · asked by Future Top Chef 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
We can't watch them all the time, and wait for them to jump, because they won't jump up on the counter if they know we're around.
2007-03-12 17:24:12 · update #1
I had a similar problem with the kitchen table. Call me crazy but feet that dig through cat litter don't really belong where I eat.
Spray bottle didn't work because they just learned not to jump when "mom & dad" were watching...
other suggestions:
- they make a spray (indoor formula) that repells cats from specific areas... if your counter has a lip, place it on the underside so it doesn't come anywhere near your food. Always do a test site first, in case you hate the smell too.
- coating the surface with an "icky" texture, even temporarily may make them look for "more fun" places which will drive you equally crazy but not be kitchen / human food related. Try newspaper, tin foil, etc. until you find one that your cat hates. Leave it for a week, if they start up again make it two.
- when in doubt, preemptive water-gunning. It's just water. You'll know when they're even THINKING about making the jump.
- Give them alternative things to climb like an old dresser with the drawers left ajar, or a cat tree. Armarkat, http://www.armarkat.com/, has all sorts of shapes & heights and you can generally find them for cheap once you've picked a model you like on ebay if you are patient.
GOOD LUCK!
2007-03-12 17:39:00 · answer #1 · answered by D S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Our two kitties did this when they were little, too. Our vet told us to get a small spray bottle and fill it with one cup of tap water and add one tablespoon of vinegar. He told us to give the kitties a light squirt with the spray bottle and that the water and the smell of the vinegar would teach them in a safe way to not get on the counters (or table). It worked. They are both five years old now and don't jump up on the counters at all.
2007-03-13 00:22:02 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only way I could come up with is close the kitchen door so they can't go in there.
If that is not possible, you must resign yourself to the fact that anytime they are not being supervised, they will do what they want to do. I would suggest you keep all food off the counter, and perhaps you could cover the counter with butcher paper which can be changed every day.
2007-03-13 01:57:14 · answer #3 · answered by Yarnlady_needsyarn 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well....I use sounds to stop my cats from pretty much doing anything they are not suposed to. I snap my fingers or make some type of noise, or clap....may sound weird, but what ever works, works. Make sure you have nothing of interest on the counters for them to want to go up there (anything that rolls, string, things like that) but before stopping them from going up there...let them go up there when theres nothing to play with and they'll lose interest. Why go up there if they cant play, is the idea. Never leave food up there or anything that they could choke on or get sick off of-my ktty had a thing with eating plastic stuff. IF that stuff doesnt work...theres always the squirt bottle (only when they're bad) I had people say put lemon juice in it casue they dont like the tast, but could you imagine if it got in their eyes?! So don't use lemon juice or anything that could harm them....
2007-03-13 00:25:17 · answer #4 · answered by Nia 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try filling a squirt bottle with plain water, and every time you see a cat on the counter, squirt them and say "No" or "Get off the counter."
Eventually they will see the bottle and get down without your doing anything.
Sometimes I can't catch one of my two, but I can tell by something's moved, even slightly.
I am retraining one to stay off my dresser and bedside table.
2007-03-13 01:25:26 · answer #5 · answered by curious cat 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use a squirt gun or spray bottle everytime you see them on the counter. They'll eventually learn.
2007-03-13 00:19:39 · answer #6 · answered by melissa 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a spray bottle filled with WATER is a good way to stop them. cats do not like water. everytime you catch them, just give them a spritz and they will get the hint
2007-03-13 00:18:45 · answer #7 · answered by tajura001 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the spray bottles do work; but I have also taught my cats "NO", yell NO at them and clap your hands, and if they don't get down, push them off. They will eventually learn.
2007-03-13 00:20:59 · answer #8 · answered by Leigh K 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a spray bottle and when you see it spray them they will stop my cat did i used to hate to see him on my countertops
2007-03-13 01:15:43 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is what I do to mine.. swat the butts, point at them and tell them NO!.. Just do that every thim they do it, they will sooner or later learn not to do that
2007-03-13 00:38:02 · answer #10 · answered by Kitten 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋