Cats on counters HELP

moggylover

Personally, with my lot I have given up:o - but then they do like to get on the big wide window cill and sleep there and are really only "crossing" the worktop:o.

My kitchen is cleaned every day and I always wipe down worktops with Dettox before I start preparing food, and also use chopping boards for everything I am preparing. We have survived years without food poisoning so I think I must be doing it right:).

I actually think that one of the things that makes them do it is that cats like to find a higher up vantage point so that they can sleep: then they can look around if they hear anything worth taking note of or that might need them to be alarmed.

Some of mine take notice of water sprays - two of them think it is a great game and don't mind at all, so this would not work with all cats. Since some of mine are very "nervy" rescues I do not like to get into loud noise type training as they are likely to have a plegged fit and do damage trying to "escape":o

At night, my cats sleep in the kitchen and utility rooms and they have a large duvet which goes on the kitchen table, on top of a plastic table cloth kept just for the job, and you can't see the table for cats:D.

Go on now! I guess there are at least a dozen people going "minging old bag - bet her house is disgusting":rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: I promise you it isn't:D

Buttonmoons

My 2 cats RARELY go up onto the kitchen counters, they will chance it now and then, normally when the sun is shining and the window is open, or to eat DD's crocus....

One of my cats loathes water, I mean hates it so much she won't talk to you for a week if you spray her, the mental asbo cat loves it unfort, and nothing I do with him teaches him a lesson. He has a thing for going behind my fridge and getting black (there is no flooring there, just a cupboard thing in the kitchen) then will leave paw prints everywhere, then jump up some doors leaving dirt and scratches and ARGH.

I must waste a bottle of water on him a day and he doesn't learn, least he doesn't go on the counters much.....though will cry and cry and try and paw things OFF the counter if he smells something he wants.

Easier to keep the kitchen door closed but the you have them scratching at the door. Cats!!

Claire_Bear

I think that if you let the cat onto other surfaces then it might take longer to train her out of the kitchen worktops because it might be a bit confusing being allowed onto some surfaces and not on others. Pepsi is allowed on our coffee table, windowsills, sofas etc, but she isn't allowed on the kitchen worktops and the welsh dresser as I keep my shot glass collection on there and she knocks them all over. But she probably can't see the difference, and isn't aware why we're shouting at her She's just starting to learn 'down' now though, and she knows she's not allowed on the kitchen tops as she sneaks up there, and when she hears one of us coming into the kitchen she jumps down straightaway and runs off because she knows she's in trouble:o I think as long as you give a firm 'down', point at the floor, and then put them on the floor, they'll soon get the message.

Fire_Fox

A cat on a clear glass coffee table is highly amusing.

MrsE_2

Buttonmoons wrote: »

My 2 cats RARELY go up onto the kitchen counters, they will chance it now and then, normally when the sun is shining and the window is open, or to eat DD's crocus....

One of my cats loathes water, I mean hates it so much she won't talk to you for a week if you spray her, the mental asbo cat loves it unfort, and nothing I do with him teaches him a lesson. He has a thing for going behind my fridge and getting black (there is no flooring there, just a cupboard thing in the kitchen) then will leave paw prints everywhere, then jump up some doors leaving dirt and scratches and ARGH.

I must waste a bottle of water on him a day and he doesn't learn, least he doesn't go on the counters much.....though will cry and cry and try and paw things OFF the counter if he smells something he wants.

Easier to keep the kitchen door closed but the you have them scratching at the door. Cats!!

The trick is to not let them know it comes from you if possible. Its susposed to be something that just happens by surprise from out of nowhere if they get up on worktops.

MrsE_2

Claire_Bear wrote: »

I think that if you let the cat onto other surfaces then it might take longer to train her out of the kitchen worktops because it might be a bit confusing being allowed onto some surfaces and not on others. Pepsi is allowed on our coffee table, windowsills, sofas etc, but she isn't allowed on the kitchen worktops and the welsh dresser as I keep my shot glass collection on there and she knocks them all over. But she probably can't see the difference, and isn't aware why we're shouting at her She's just starting to learn 'down' now though, and she knows she's not allowed on the kitchen tops as she sneaks up there, and when she hears one of us coming into the kitchen she jumps down straightaway and runs off because she knows she's in trouble:o I think as long as you give a firm 'down', point at the floor, and then put them on the floor, they'll soon get the message.

I disagree, I think if you forbid them jumping on anything they will think they live in a horrible house where they can't go anywhere.

I have two things they are not allowed to jump up on the kitchen worktops & the dining table. They will even jump on the dining chairs & sit there while we eat dinner, because they have learnt the difference.

But I think to make everything out of bounds goes against their nature of finding a nice high spot to watch the world from.

MrsE_2

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Of course cats can be taught to associate, cats are at least as intelligent as dogs and can learn clicker training or to come when they hear biscuits shake or a tin open! All animals need consistency if, for example, you don't make them get off the table EVERY time (regardless of if you are relaxing on the sofa or eating at the table) they will not learn. Why not teach your cat a down or off command?

Charlie is really clever & he would have easily learnt the litter kwitter, but George is a dumb ar5e.

clancy

Yeah i agree MrsE one of my cats hates going outside and will sit on the doormat when given the chance, his other favourite place is the window sill where he watches the world go by & feels safe with other cats outside.If i stopped him going onto everything i would be constantly running round the house after him like a crazy woman (the thought makes me laugh) Like i said before i dont mind him on the window sill & even the muddy paws of my other one as the window is his access in & out when no one is in the kitchen, i just cant bear to think of them walking all over the counters...

cyberbob

clancy wrote: »

i just cant bear to think of them walking all over the counters...

I'm afraid no matter how much you keep them off them in the day. They'll probably walk on them at night or when your not around

clancy

Haha i cant stop laughing, i bought a tin money box today from the pound shop with a detachable top, add a few marbles in it & just caught the cat on the side so shock it really hard, he looked at me slowly got off then walked over to it while i was shaking it to give it a sniff lol Will take the marbles out and put a few coins & hope that works, trust me to have such a bold fearless cat