How to keep cats off the kitchen counter???

Please, can anyone help??!! I've tried applying a clear vinyl carpet runner, with the tooth side up; they all just walk on it! I just got a new, expensive (not bragging--just want you all yo understand why I don't want them up there!) kitchen counter. I know I can't police it all the time, and that cats will be cats (and normally, I don't worry too much about them jumping on surfaces--I accept this, and just use a lot of Clorox wipes), but Marge camps out there, and now the other ones jump up when she's not there. I'm contantly disinfecting the countertop, which is not so much a problem, but Marge has peed twice on it already! It's disgusting. I also have to keep a lid from a storage container over the new sink, as she pooped and peed in the old one a few times--luckily, shortly before we got our new one. I've not let her near the new sink at all, but it's a pain to have to keep removing and replacing the "lid" over the sink 20 times a day!

I think part a Marge's problem lies with the other cats, who lately have been terrorising her. She NEVER went outside of the litter box until we brought the foster (now our own) cats out of quarantine, and into the mix. I think perhaps she had a bad experience at the litter boxes (in the garage, accessed by a cat door from the attached laundry room). Perhaps some of the cats scared her? I tried setting up a hidey-hole in the laundry room for her, to discourage her from the counter. I carved out a spot on top of a dresser I have in there, next to the nice, warm hot water heater (which she loves to sleep on), and put a nice, soft, thick blanket there. She kind of uses it, but has stopped in the past 2 weeks.

I'm at my wit's end here--I'm constantly yelling at the cats to get down, etc. (One thing that's fun in an evil way, and sort of works: I bought a set of fireplace bellows for the fireplace, and, when they get up there, I squirt the air at them --I think I enjoy this FAR too much.)

Thanks for any input you may have!

A couple of things based on what you've said...

Check the disinfectant for the ingredient ammonia. If it has this in it then it's just encouraging your kitty to pee there again. Second, it's probably a good idea to take your cat to the vet to check for a UTI. More often than not this is the case when they start going out of the litter box. It could be the other kittens but it's best to be safe than sorry.

I'm planning to try double sided sticky tape on my counters. I know it's worked for some but for others they've had bad experiences as the tape they used was so strong it hurt the kitty when it was removed. I just bought plain old Scotch double sided tape since it's not very strong. I'll only plan to have it on the counter when I'm here to watch her. Do not leave them alone with double sided tape out as they could get seriously hurt.

The problem with those spiked runners is that the spikes are often too far apart. I know that Dr. Foster & Smith has one specifically for counters, but I'm not sure if they're spikes are closer together or not.

Well, that's my 2 cents. Please post if you find something that works. I'll be dealing with this myself in the next few weeks.

I'd have her checked out by the vet to be sure there is nothing medical wrong (like UTI) first. Try:

1. Extra litter boxes
2. Sticky tape on the counter


Weird that they will walk on the carpet runners with the "teeth" - most cats would not do it.

My Muddy is on round 3 treatment for a UTI right now. He was peeing in the ceramic dog food bowls but also peeing on my kitchen counter (engineering quartz). I think it was the cool surface he was after. He quit doing it after each treatment but when he'd start again, I'd restart the treatment. Sometimes they are difficult to knock out.

Please get Marge tested for a UTI then address the kitchen counter issue.

1) mulitpy cats,, more litter boxes and in different places. Just one out in the garage won't do for more the 2 cat household. Find a quiet place in the house so your older cat does not feel like she has to fight to go pee.
I have 5 where 4 come in and out of the house as they please(cat doors) during the day, and they will still fill all 3 boxes I have down.

2), get a supper soaker gun, or at least a decent water pistol, and when you see them camping out, soak them down. They learn,,, or they love the water

3), if you can use bleach on the new counters, I find they hate that smell.

BTW, the supper soak works, IF they don't love the water..... I have 2 that love playing in water<sigh>

Originally Posted by Fluffee

1) mulitpy cats,, more litter boxes and in different places. Just one out in the garage won't do for more the 2 cat household. Find a quiet place in the house so your older cat does not feel like she has to fight to go pee.
I have 5 where 4 come in and out of the house as they please(cat doors) during the day, and they will still fill all 3 boxes I have down.

2), get a supper soaker gun, or at least a decent water pistol, and when you see them camping out, soak them down. They learn,,, or they love the water

3), if you can use bleach on the new counters, I find they hate that smell.

BTW, the supper soak works, IF they don't love the water..... I have 2 that love playing in water<sigh>

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I do use the faucet sprayer. Works for about 2 minutes, then they're on the counter again. I can't use bleach, though, on my counter (actually, the old counter was laminate, and I used to bleach that regularly--but Marge still got up there).

I have 9 litter boxes in the garage for 9 cats, so I don't think that's the problem here.

Thanks, though for tryin got help! I do appreciate any ideas!

Originally Posted by Momofmany

My Muddy is on round 3 treatment for a UTI right now. He was peeing in the ceramic dog food bowls but also peeing on my kitchen counter (engineering quartz). I think it was the cool surface he was after. He quit doing it after each treatment but when he'd start again, I'd restart the treatment. Sometimes they are difficult to knock out.

Please get Marge tested for a UTI then address the kitchen counter issue.

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I have had her to the vet (this on the counter thingy started December 2006--which coincides with when I added 3 more cats to the household). She's fine. (I first thought she had an UTI, too, until I had her checked out.)

BTW, I also have engineered quartz (Silestone)--don't you just LOVE it? Expensive, but worth it!

Originally Posted by Paulena

I have never had any luck keeping them off the counters at all!! I just usually put them down on the floor and say "NO NO", hasn't worked yet, just as soon as I turn my back, they are back up there again. I am anxiously waiting other people's responses, to something that has worked!!

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Sounds JUST like my house!!!!

Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45

I'd have her checked out by the vet to be sure there is nothing medical wrong (like UTI) first. Try:

1. Extra litter boxes
2. Sticky tape on the counter


Weird that they will walk on the carpet runners with the "teeth" - most cats would not do it.

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I think my cats are masochists! What canyou do to scare a cat who loves the pretend foot-stomping DH gives him every night (that's Loco Loki)?

I took wide masking tape, and tore it off in lengths of about 3 feet. I turned under the ends so as to stick to the edge of the counter, with the sticky side up for the whole length. The cats can't see it from the floor, and when the hit the edge, it a) sticks to their feet, and b) doesn't hold them on the counter. The fall back to the floor, often with the tape stuck to a paw. It only takes a couple of times of this to break them of getting up on something.

Originally Posted by MargeCat

I have 9 litter boxes in the garage for 9 cats, so I don't think that's the problem here.

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But even though you have the right number of litter boxes, they are all in the same room/area. That makes it much easier for one or more cats, if they're so inclined, to intimidate/terrorize Marge when she needs to go. Are any litter boxes located anywhere else in the house?