Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Punishing from the environment
• Method 2 of 3: Give cats alternatives
• Method 3 of 3: Make countertops less tempting
• Warnings
• Necessities

It can be frustrating when your cat keeps jumping on the kitchen counter, coffee tables, bedside tables, cupboard shelves, your bed. Still, this is a common behavioral problem in cats. There are ways to dissuade your cat. Focus on three points. You teach cats that the countertop is off limits, give cats acceptable alternatives to indulge their climbing instincts, and make countertops less tempting to cats.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Punishing from the environment

1. Create your own punishments from the environment. Punishment from the environment — also called "remote punishment" - consists of punishing the cats without being present, so that the cat does not associate the punishment with you. If you punish your cats yourself, they will learn to stay off the counter only when you are at home. You could make a device for remote punishment, but never make a deterrent that could hurt your cat.
2. Place light baking tins on the edge of the counter. This simple means of deterring your cats works by allowing the cats to land on the baking pan when they jump on the counter. The noise and unexpected movement will scare them, but not really hurt them. Over time, they will associate the countertops with this noise and the stress it causes, and stop jumping on them.
   • You can also fill the baking tins with water and place them on the counter. Cats will not only be startled by the noise, but also by the water. The downside to this is that cats can slip in the water, so if your cat is old and not very spry, it may be better to avoid this method as it can slip and injure itself.
3. Make a noise trap. Run a string along the part where your cats usually jump on the counter. Tie one end of the string to empty cans that will tip over easily. If you put it just right, a cat jumping on the counter will move the wire enough to make the cans fall, creating a shocking noise that will deter him or her from jumping on it again.
   • You can put coins or other small objects in the cans for an even more terrifying sound.
4. Stick double-sided tape on the surface where the cat is not allowed to go. The tape can be stuck in just a few places to hold it, and then when the cat jumps on it, it will stick to his or her paws, scaring him or her enough not to try again. Cats are easily distracted and irritated by objects sticking to them, therefore the double sided tape will be effective.
   • You can also try putting aluminum foil on a surface. The noise will deter cats if they land on it.
5. Buy appliances designed to deter cats and put them on the counter. These devices deter cats with loud noises, unexpected movements or double-sided adhesive tape. There are many such deterrents available, so do your research to see what works.
   • Motion-activated air blowers are an example of electronic devices designed to deter cats from countertops or other unwanted surfaces or places. A motion detector detects the cat in the forbidden area and immediately sprays a strong blast of air at him, which startles him.
   • Motion detectors are another type of device that can help deter cats from countertops. A motion detector triggers a loud alarm that scares the cat and warns the owner. Some alarms with motion detectors are pressure sensitive, so they are triggered when the cat touches them or whatever they are under. There are even mats that are pressure sensitive that you can roll out over the counter so that they react when the cat lands on them.
   • Silent motion-triggered alarms provide a less intrusive alternative to other motion-triggered alarms. These alarms are so high-pitched that they cannot be heard by humans and even dogs, but will deter cats.
   • Textured mats are a harmless deterrent that does not use electricity, batteries or compressed air. These mats have a structure of minimal dots that are not pleasant for the cat to walk on. When they encounter them, cats will usually jump off.
6. Activate noise makers yourself. Hide yourself out of sight of the cat and use a random rowdy as soon as you see the cat jumping on the counter. There are many noisemakers to choose from, and there are even a few that are specially made for this purpose.
   • An air horn can be an effective way to startle the cat enough to get it off the forbidden surface if you catch it red-handed and stay hidden. Make sure that the air horn you choose is not so loud that you damage your or the cat's hearing.
   • Some manufacturers have made air horns that sound loud when you turn them on, but also spray a pheromone that further prevents the cat from unwanted behavior.

Method 2 of 3: Give cats alternatives

1. Provide cats with acceptable alternatives to satisfy their natural instincts to climb and jump. For example, cats crave what veterinarians call "vertical challenges"; they will find counters less attractive if they have other objects that they can climb or jump on.
2. Place vertical cat furniture near windows. Cat climbing poles, cat nests or climbing poles provide a place for cats to climb, sit on and monitor their surroundings. Near windows, they can also watch for potential prey, which satisfies their curiosity and stimulates them, so they are less likely to climb countertops and other surfaces.
3. Place a cat shelf. Cat shelves are with slightly soft-lined surfaces that are attached to the inside of window frames. Like cat climbing poles and other cat furniture, cat shelves satisfy curiosity while stimulating your cat at the same time. Choose windows with a lot of sunlight, as cats like to lie in the sun, and the cat shelf is a good place to do that in a window that gets a lot of sunlight. The cat shelf gives your cat (s) an alternative place to sleep and / or watch what's going on outside, distracting them from countertops.
4. Provide cats with an assortment of toys to play with on the floor. These toys can help use their energy so that they are less likely to climb on countertops. If you can keep your cat interested enough, especially in toys that stay on the floor, you can also stop him from jumping on countertops. Change the available toys regularly so he doesn't get bored and start jumping on countertops for new challenges.
   • Many cats like simple toys, like little fake mice that you can throw around the room and run after - they can even bring them back to you!
   • Some cats will inevitably avoid expensive toys and instead play with empty plastic bags, boxes, laundry baskets, etc. Experiment with different types of toys to see what your cat likes before buying an expensive toy.
   • Many cat toys are now electronic, such as toy mice that roll over a track, or even with wheels so that they can roll themselves over carpets or other floor types. Other toys have LED lighting and other technology. These toys can be very stimulating to cats, keeping them away from prohibited surfaces such as countertops.
5. Provide several cat beds in warm, sunny places in your home. Cats especially like beds where they can "nest" or bury themselves. Cats sleep 16-20 hours a day, and that means a lot of time when they won't be interested in jumping on countertops. If you give them special, inviting places to sleep, you can encourage them to sleep there instead of on the counter. You can also make sure that they are taking full advantage of their sleep time, not seeking new stimulation around the house - like on countertops.
6. Put your cats in a different room when you are cooking. That way, they don't get curious about what's on the counter because of the smell of food coming from it. Cats' sense of smell is 40 times stronger than that of humans. They can smell anything you cook, and this can pique their curiosity when you're not around, and so they can jump on the surface where the smells are coming from.
   • Cats may even have a hard time controlling their curiosity and jumping on the counter while you are cooking there. Putting cats in another room while you cook can limit their curiosity about the counter and prevent them from jumping on it.
   • Make sure to give them a toy and a comfortable place to sleep in the room where you leave them while you cook or prepare meals in the kitchen, so that they are stimulated and comfortable.
   • Locking cats in another room while you cook won't work for every cat, so don't be surprised if your cat howls from the room. If this happens, try not to keep them there for too long or you will cause them stress.

Method 3 of 3: Make countertops less tempting

1. Keep countertops free of food for people who might tempt your cats. Again, cats have a very strong sense of smell, so food particles left on the counter can entice them to try to find and eat leftovers, crumbs or spills, in addition to clawing or biting food containers you keep on the counter. . If you keep food on the counter, put it in storage containers that cats cannot tear or bite open.
2. Wipe the counter regularly. This removes the smell of food on the counter. Wiping countertops with a disinfectant wipe can be particularly effective, which will remove odors that might attract your cat while keeping your countertops clean and hygienic.
   • In particular, choose cleansers or sanitizers that smell like citrus, aloe, eucalyptus, or wintergreen. These scents will repel cats from unwanted surfaces. In fact, many perfumes will have the same effect.
3. Consider feeding your cats more food. Your cat may jump on your counter to poach for food because he or she is hungry. You could determine if this is the case by simply feeding your cat more food than usual. If your cat no longer seems to jump on the counter after you start feeding more than before, your problem may be resolved. But some cats overeat, and even if you give more food, they can still jump on the counter. Be prepared for this opportunity if you're trying to increase your feed to combat countertop raids.
   • If you haven't already, put a bowl of dry kibble in front of the cats so they can eat when they feel like it. Many cats are "grazers," which means they like to eat small amounts of food spread throughout the day, rather than at specific meal times when they are fed a lot of food at once. If your cats are grazers, always have a bowl of dry kibble ready, provided you don't exceed the recommended daily allowance on the package (unless your vet advises you otherwise). You can also offer them smaller portions more often during the day if that's convenient for you, but the point is to give them enough food to keep them from keeping forages for food on your counter.
   • As you adjust their regular feeding routine, pay attention to your cat's eating habits and weight to avoid obesity.
4. Keep the counter free of objects your cat likes to play with. If you leave cat toys or other things your cat likes to play with on the counter, the cat will be tempted to jump on them and fetch them. Keep in mind that cat toys aren't the only things cats like to play with. Your cat may be tempted to jump on the counter and play with things like pens, keys, tubes of lip balm and paper.
   • Remember not to keep cat toys near the kitchen counter, such as a kitchen cupboard. If the cat sees you cleaning up a toy there, he or she will be more likely to jump on the counter to get to the toy.
5. Keep windows at the counter covered. Make sure you keep the curtains or blinds of windows that your cat can reach through the kitchen sink closed. Cats love to look out and see birds, squirrels, and other outdoor living, which is why they can jump on the counter to get to those windows. This is why it is wise to place a cat climbing pole or cat shelves so that cats can see out of windows (see Method 2).
6. Clean your countertop with lemon scented pledge or lemon oil. Cats don't like lemon, so this can work for your cat (s).

Warnings

• Never use environmental punishment on a cat who is usually anxious. This can make the cat too scared to walk around your house normally.
• Never hit or yell at cats to keep them off the counter. Cats don't associate punishment with behavior, so they will only learn to fear you.

Necessities

• Baking trays
• Repelling devices
• Rope
• Soda cans
• Coins
• Air horn
• Toys
• Cat furniture
• Cleaners
• Cat food