Get OFF my counters!!!!!!!!!!

snake_lady

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 9, 2008
Messages
7,218
Purraise
13
Location
ON./Canada
Ok, I'm having a huge problem with the 2 younger guys jumping on my kitchen counters. (not acceptable in my house)

I taught Kizzy not to do it via the spray bottle of water....couple squirts to the hindside and he got the message easily.

Kitchi and Kiwi on the other hand


What I have tried:

- squirt bottle of water (aimed at their hindends)
- spraying the edge of the counters with a scratch deterant spray
- reprimanding them with a clap and a firm "get down"

What I've considerred:

- one of those air blowing cans

Any suggestions?
 

mschauer

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jun 17, 2007
Messages
6,753
Purraise
2,338
Location
Houston, Tx
I use a device that emits a high frequency sound when an object (like a cat) is near. They can hear it and don't like it but humans can't hear it. I've trained all of mine to stay off eating surfaces that way.

The devices I used are along the same lines as this:

Tattle Tale Alarm

but are silent to humans. I'll see if I can find a link to the ones I use. What's good about them is they are infinitely reusable and work even is the cat is several meters away. With the air cans the cat has to come within 1 meter of the can so you'd have to use several of them to cover even a smallish area.
 

calico2222

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 9, 2004
Messages
7,731
Purraise
41
Location
Over the river and through the woods...
Have you tried putting aluminimum foil on your counters? It works with some cats, not so well with others. Some cats can't stand the feel of the foil under their feet, others couldn't care less. It might be a cheap solution.

Another idea is using a "scat-mat" temporarily. They give a tiny electrical pulse that deters cats/dogs from trying to get up where they shouldn't be. They aren't cheap but they do work.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Large-Scat-Mat-T...d=p3286.c0.m14
 

3catsn1dog

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 11, 2009
Messages
2,987
Purraise
11
Location
Trapped in the catroom! ;o)
I have given up on the counter surfing in my house. Mostly because we dont use the counters that much other than to turn on the coffee maker and put the dish drying rack up which GiGi loves to sleep in...Even our kitchen table has been confiscated for nap time by GiGi and Hercules because its right in front of our bay window....I can say atleast the one thing they have gotten better about is not going across the sinks to where the stove is because everytime they get near the stove I yell OW HOT and they jump down so now its my code words to get them to stop something...LOL
 

dusty's mom

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 13, 2005
Messages
2,176
Purraise
13
Location
California
The kitchen table and the kitchen counters are the only places off limits in our house. Squeak is still in training with the kitchen table, lol. But she knows better.

I know many are opposed to the squirt bottle, but it really works well for me. Both cats know when I pick it up, I am serious, and I really don't have to pull the trigger that often, lol! Both kitties are still VERY affectionate, so I don't think the bottle traumatizes them - but it does train them.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #6

snake_lady

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 9, 2008
Messages
7,218
Purraise
13
Location
ON./Canada
Originally Posted by mschauer

The devices I used are along the same lines as this:

Tattle Tale Alarm

but are silent to humans. I'll see if I can find a link to the ones I use. What's good about them is they are infinitely reusable and work even is the cat is several meters away. With the air cans the cat has to come within 1 meter of the can so you'd have to use several of them to cover even a smallish area.
Interesting..... I'll have to have a look around. Good point with the air cans.

Originally Posted by calico2222

Have you tried putting aluminimum foil on your counters? It works with some cats, not so well with others. Some cats can't stand the feel of the foil under their feet, others couldn't care less. It might be a cheap solution.

Another idea is using a "scat-mat" temporarily. They give a tiny electrical pulse that deters cats/dogs from trying to get up where they shouldn't be. They aren't cheap but they do work.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Large-Scat-Mat-T...d=p3286.c0.m14
I'll try the foil tonight
(cheap and I have it here) But I'll definately be investigating the other products.

Originally Posted by Dusty's Mom

The kitchen table and the kitchen counters are the only places off limits in our house. Squeak is still in training with the kitchen table, lol. But she knows better.

I know many are opposed to the squirt bottle, but it really works well for me. Both cats know when I pick it up, I am serious, and I really don't have to pull the trigger that often, lol! Both kitties are still VERY affectionate, so I don't think the bottle traumatizes them - but it does train them.
Squirt bottle worked great for Kizzy
but not so good for the other 2. Part of the reason is Kizzy would do it in front of me..... the kittens KNOW they shouldn't be on the counters so they don't do it in front of me, but I can hear them from the other room and by the time I get there, they've jumped down.
 

catmom2wires

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Nov 10, 2008
Messages
1,429
Purraise
212
Location
Texas
We've set "traps" of lightweight cookie sheets with the edges just barely extending over the edge of the counter. Kitty jumps up, hits that, it comes crashing to the floor and point is taken!
 

mrblanche

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Jan 28, 2008
Messages
12,578
Purraise
119
Location
Texas
I put wide masking tape on the edges of the counters, where the cats can't see it. Sticky side up, and just secured at the ends. It doesn't take very many times of jumping up on the counter, not getting traction, and coming back down with the tape stuck to them before they caught on.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #9

snake_lady

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 9, 2008
Messages
7,218
Purraise
13
Location
ON./Canada
Originally Posted by CatMom2Wires

We've set "traps" of lightweight cookie sheets with the edges just barely extending over the edge of the counter. Kitty jumps up, hits that, it comes crashing to the floor and point is taken!
Originally Posted by mrblanche

I put wide masking tape on the edges of the counters, where the cats can't see it. Sticky side up, and just secured at the ends. It doesn't take very many times of jumping up on the counter, not getting traction, and coming back down with the tape stuck to them before they caught on.
Great ideas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks. I'm going to leave some "bait" out (empty cat food can) , and use a combo of these, and tin foil tonight
 

amberthe bobcat

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Oct 17, 2003
Messages
4,829
Purraise
18
Location
In the Cougars den
My cats go on the counters all the time and for the most part, it never bothers me unless I or my wife are preparing food. With the domestics, I just clap my hands and they jump down. With the bobcats well, they can stay there all they want. Try making a bobcat do something they don't want to do
 

abbycats

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 12, 2005
Messages
2,544
Purraise
19
Location
Nebraska
Some of my cats follow me everywhere including the kitchen counter. I try my best to keep them off while cooking. When our Bengal Zoey was younger she had stomach upset. We had to feed her a special diet, so she ate on the kitchen counter. Now it has been a ritual for 2 years. We have company coming at the end of the month and I haven't figured out what I'm going to do. My cats are going to be put out of their bedroom and kitchen space.

Originally Posted by AmberThe Bobcat

Try making a bobcat do something they don't want to do
LOL!!!!
 

strange_wings

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 20, 2006
Messages
13,498
Purraise
39
Originally Posted by AmberThe Bobcat

With the bobcats well, they can stay there all they want. Try making a bobcat do something they don't want to do
That gave me a good laugh.

I'm another that doesn't really care unless we're cooking - and then it's only the side that the range top is on. They can hang out over the sink or on the other counters to watch me if they want. Usually no one wants to keep me company when I'm doing dishes, though.

I do clap my hands and yell "GET DOWN" (from another room) if they're too close to cooking food or the hot range top.


Unless you give them other options to climb on near by, they're going to be up there the second you're not looking. One thing that helps is to keep your counter tops as cleared off as possible. Nothing that can be made into an entertaining toy or turned into a game of "knock this off the counter". Never leave food unattended (or without a good lid on it), any dirty dishes or crumbs on the counters as that's an instant reward and then nothing you do will truly detour them if they're very food driven cats.
 

3catsn1dog

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 11, 2009
Messages
2,987
Purraise
11
Location
Trapped in the catroom! ;o)
I think this thread is hilarious..My mom is a geek about the counters she would freak out if us kids were in or on them she comes over to my house and is having a hissy fit because the cats are on the table on the counters whatever they want. And now that I have a computer desk they think its a free for all kitty playground that they can use to scale from the couch to the desk to the counters and take flying leaps to the kitchen table...I have given up unless the stove is on and they have figured out that if there is a pot on the stove they dont go up on it!!!! Fatman and GiGi even have decided the counter is their space for treats they will eat together up there and for those two thats a huge step because normally one of them is giving the other the hairy eyeball
 

littleraven7726

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Apr 1, 2002
Messages
3,339
Purraise
12
Location
Next to the World's Largest 6-pack
I gave up after fighting with Raven
and Nabu when they were young about the counters. I was trying to keep them off, my then roommate didn't care.
So when I got my own apartment it was a lost cause. My cats do know "Get down" which is usually used when I'm cooking. But since the stove is on the opposite side of the kitchen with little counter around it, I don't have to be bothered. Raven
was a very smart cat, I just had to point at the floor while looking at him to get him to get down. Nabu and Stimpy are much more stubborn.
Lola doesn't get on the counters, she's just not interested.

Since we bought the house last year, I've noticed they don't care about the counters anymore. The kitchen table (which is only used for company, and cleaned well + I put a table cloth on if we're entertaining) is where they spend their time. It's right next to the kitchen window, with prime view of the backyard and power lines (Birds!).
 

ldg

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Jun 25, 2002
Messages
41,310
Purraise
842
Location
Fighting for ferals in NW NJ!
Now that we're in the RV, we replaced the "dining area" with cat trees - it's right across from the kitchen counters, so the counters are no longer an issue. Telling them to get off and placing them on the cat trees was enough. Now if we see them jump up, we just have to LOOK at them and they jump across to the cat tree.


In the house, we ended up putting cat trees in the kitchen. But before we did that, we got them off the counters by simply not putting much in the cupboards, and putting it all on the counters. There was no place to jump up. It was PIA, because we had to clear enough space to prep dinner or whatever - but we did this for a month, and it did the trick.

I'm not sure who it was - Skippymjp, I think - who went the opposite direction. They removed EVERYTHING from the counters - and all of a sudden, they became completely uninteresting.

Just more ideas for you.... though I really love the idea of the baking sheets just far enough over the edge of the counter to make everyone crash!
That really ought to do the trick and quickly!
 

calico2222

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 9, 2004
Messages
7,731
Purraise
41
Location
Over the river and through the woods...
Originally Posted by Dusty's Mom

I know many are opposed to the squirt bottle, but it really works well for me. Both cats know when I pick it up, I am serious, and I really don't have to pull the trigger that often, lol! Both kitties are still VERY affectionate, so I don't think the bottle traumatizes them - but it does train them.
I agree. I know a lot of people say to not use a squirt bottle, but that worked well on my first cat family. After a few squirts to the behind when they were doing something wrong and after that all I had to do was pick it up and shake it and they stopped what they were doing (such as climbing the window screens
).

The zoo I have now, water doesn't faze them. They were originally barn cats, so NOTHING fazes them....rain, snow, sleet...they are like the postmen! I tried to spray Harley and Corky once, and they came back for more! They thought it was a game.
 

calico2222

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 9, 2004
Messages
7,731
Purraise
41
Location
Over the river and through the woods...
Originally Posted by LDG

I'm not sure who it was - Skippymjp, I think - who went the opposite direction. They removed EVERYTHING from the counters - and all of a sudden, they became completely uninteresting.
Mine are that way too! A cluttered counter means more free toys. If it completely cleared there's nothing to bat, knock over, destroy, eat, etc...so it's boring. Now, if only DH and I could get in the habit of keeping the d*mn counter clear!!
 

allmycats

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
Jun 6, 2009
Messages
529
Purraise
1
Location
US
Gigi's place to eat is..the peninsula...oh well....had to put her up somewhere that the dogs couldn't steal her food...it was convenient, it happened, there's no going back; so if I have to use the peninsula for food preparation, I simply clean it with a bleach-based kitchen anti-bac cleanser;otherwise I just choose another surface!
 

strange_wings

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 20, 2006
Messages
13,498
Purraise
39
Originally Posted by LDG

I'm not sure who it was - Skippymjp, I think - who went the opposite direction. They removed EVERYTHING from the counters - and all of a sudden, they became completely uninteresting.
Mine are like that. There's a coffee pot, the toaster, and a basket with some garlic in it. They're uninterested in the appliances and hate the smell of garlic.

They'll hop up after I've been cooking to see what I forget, but never find anything and they'll hop up to look out the kitchen window or to bug me. A couple are fond of their top of the fridge perch as well.



Originally Posted by calico2222

The zoo I have now, water doesn't faze them. They were originally barn cats, so NOTHING fazes them....rain, snow, sleet...they are like the postmen! I tried to spray Harley and Corky once, and they came back for more! They thought it was a game.
My Tomas is like this. I have a spray bottle of clean water I use while cleaning (to spray dust clothes and the dust mop with to collect cat hair) and often he'll jump up in my way. A few times I've sprayed him directly on the butt... he just stands there and lets me do it. Eventually he'll realize he has a wet butt and go off to groom himself.
I suspect the reason he's not bothered is because he's never been sprayed when he's in trouble.
 

kkh

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
Jun 5, 2008
Messages
383
Purraise
12
Location
Hawaii
Originally Posted by calico2222

Have you tried putting aluminimum foil on your counters? It works with some cats, not so well with others. Some cats can't stand the feel of the foil under their feet, others couldn't care less. It might be a cheap solution.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Large-Scat-Mat-T...d=p3286.c0.m14


That always works for Ku Ku - now she gets scared every time I pulled it out


Another option is, pour some vinegar on a tray(or something flat) & leave it on a spot of counter where your cat most likely jumps up on first. This usually works but not for Ku Ku...she LOVES vinegar(and citrus, too)
 
Top