How can I keep cats from jumping up on kitchen counter to forrage?

hmmm. sounds like u cat training. i have had cats that might do that if no one is around, but they usually are pretty quick to get the hint that the counter is not welcome territory for them.

15 seconds? is unusual. i think u might be a bit too soft on them maybe? do u leave dry cat food in their bowl all the time?

 

Sorry its not possible. You will have to accept that the cat trains YOU, not the other way around.

I've learned to just accept it

 

OK, assuming he is indeed getting sufficient cat food (if he's getting chubby, then he probably is...) and all other efforts to keep him off the counters have failed, try this...it won't cause permanent damage, is fairly easy to apply, and is reusable if he forgets...

Items needed:
1 wax candle
1 razor blade scraper (to remove wax when done)
1-2 pkgs thumbtacks

Apply thumbtacks point up, about 1/2" to 1" from edge of the counter using a drop of melted candle wax to keep them in place. String them from one end of the counter all the way to the other.

If you put them too close to the counter's edge he might be able see them and jump over them. Put them about 1" apart along the edge to ensure he hits at least one anytime he jumps up.

He'll soon know it's not a good idea to jump up there, and he'll let you know every time he makes an attempt too (meow-ouch!). Once he's learned his lesson, remove the thumbtacks with the scraper.

It's a lesson he'll pay attention to, but won't cause him any permanent damage.

If he forgets, just put them out again.

 

Electrified chicken wire.

Next best thing - a Windex-like water sprayer. Show the cat what it does. Use it whenever he jumps up. Generously. But don't chase him.



Then, just leave it on the counter in full view. The cat will associate the bottle as an unpleasant memory, and won't jump, thinking it will be sprayed with water requiring a whole hour of grooming.

However, no water sprayer...he'll jump right back up. Get more than one at the dollar store.

I also heard of people adding some lemon juice concentrate, so that the unpleasant smell and water on them is a greater deterrent. Just use regular water at first.

 

Cats are so polite. They patiently wait for you to leave the room with your share of the meal, and then take their turn with the portion you've obviously left out for them. My dog, on the other hand, loves pizza so much she'll snatch it right off your plate and inhale it so fast you'll wonder where it went. And if you've got a piece in your hand, sort of absent-mindedly waving it around, well, that's just provoking her. Count your fingers when you're done.

 

I'm sorry but that just seems cruel. Would you jab a person with a nail every time they did something wrong? Proportionally it's about the same thing. A far simpler and safer technique is to line the counter with double sided stick tape. Cats absolutely hate sticky stuff on their paws. You can even buy large sheets of it at pet stores specifically for cat training.

If this doesn't work, and the spritzer bottle doesn't work, then yes, I agree with the other poster who basically said you'll just have to learn to live with it. Train yourself not to leave food out.

 

Agreed I would never intentionally hurt an animals paws with something like a thumb tack. That is just asking for a serious infection

 

Think Geek !
ThinkGeek :: Geek Toys :: Cube Warfare

 

Instead of the tacks, use plastic carpet protector flipped upside down so the teeth that hold in place are pointing up. There was once a product available that was similiar but sold specificly for keeping cats off things. The carpet protector is much cheaper. It doesn't hurt, but is uncomfortable to walk on. To be effective, you'll need to cover where he can jump to.

I personaly have used mouse traps to keep our cats off, well, the mouse tanks. Set them, and place them upside down. They'll go off and flip up when the cat lands near them, spooking him.

 

I wouldn't use anything that would physically damage the cute little creatures, but I have been known to use a low power fence charger attached to something conductive. When our current cat was a kitten she was hell on wheels with the Christmas tree. I used a small fence charger on the bottom row of ornaments and she learned in a hurry. My wife, on the other hand, was somewhat slower to train, which led to bigger problems than the cat.

If you do use a fence charger, make sure it is one specifically designed for small animals. You don't want to whack your cat with something made for cows and horses.

Tom

 

Two words...Blender Defender.
I'm so gonna build one.

Blender Defender

 

This is for dogs, but i have to imagine it'll work the same on a cat...

Invisible Fence

Basically, you get one of those invisible fence collars, put in on the cat, and put a small emitter on the counter. Cat jumps up, gets shocked, and gets down. At least, that's what happens with dogs.

 

Keep feeding the cat pretty soon it'll be to fat to jump up on the counter.

or you could try SSScat

 

Never leave food on the benches or table when you are not near and if you are near and the cat gets on the table, smack it off. Yep, it is a dog eat dog world and that is how a cat would protect territory.

 

I agree; the cat would smack you off the counter if the circumstances were reversed.

 

I have no suggestions, since this is the only bad habit that our cat has yet to develop, but I wanted to say that I am enjoying this thread. :madgrin:

 

well at least cats dont eat much. my in-laws have a yellow lab. he ate the entire leftover thanksgiving turkey and there was quite a bit left too!!

 

When I was a kid, I had a cat. One winter's day (in NYC), I came home from school, and sat down to take my snow boots off. The cat came over to me, purring, and gave me a very nice 'hello'. I was feeling good that the cat was happy to see meI home!

Then I got my shoes off, and went to the kitchen, where the cat was eating the thawing hamburger. The cat jumped off the counter and hid under the table.

I think the best strategy is to thaw the meat in the refrigerator - it is safer anyway.

Good Luck.

(I developed an allergy to cats, so now I don't have one.)