Jumping on Counters

This is new behavior, and I need a way to make it stop. To start with, our house has six cats; Momma, Ra, Spot, Slipper, Asia, and Princess. The problem children here are Ra, Slipper, and Princess--especially Ra.

Let me explain what's happened: when the original cat--Momma (and yes, she's been fixed) first came into the house I established the kitchen as a no-cat zone. I did this by using a strong, amonia based cleaner on the floor (I did the same thing back when we had dogs, and I kept it confined to the kitchen  floor. I figured if they didn't like the smell, they'd avoid the area and eventually it became a behavior pattern, so that I could switch cleaners if I wanted with no problems.)

For some reason not only have Ra, Princess, and Slipper been coming into the kitchen, but they've been jumping on the counters. (Don't give me the whole "cats need to climb and jump" spiel; they have almost the entire  rest of the house and the yard outside. They can climb, jump, and scratch anywhere else in the house.) I haven't been able to reinstate my floor cleaning policy because we got a steam mop (and it is AWESOME!!!), but I have been using Windex to clean the counters--which isn't helping because they're jumping on the dishtowel (we don't have a dishwasher.) This is frustrating because I have to change the towel, re-wash the dishes, and they're not supposed to be in the kitchen in the first place! 

How do I fix this?

Double sided tape?  We used it on drawer handles when Eclipse tried to climb up.  We also used a small squirt bottle of water to discourage going on the counter.  We have an electric stove that is built in and I didn't want any burnt paws 

I've personally half given up with Asha - she's the first cat I've had who's really been interested in counters.

This article might help you :-
[article="22407"][/article]

Okay, I've been putting pieces of paper with tape on them down to keep the cats from jumping on the dish towel, but they've started jumping into the sink! Why are they so obsessed with the kitchen?

One - its where FOOD comes from

Two - They're not allowed to be in there so its more fun!

I have seen Jackson Galaxy use motion activated air canisters to teach cats to stay away from certain places. Each time a cat goes (say) onto the counter, they get a puff of air. Its definitely NOT the same as squirting them with water or air yourself.
It seems like that might be the easiest answer for your situation. You could even teach the cats that the whole kitchen is off limits...something that I'd really consider in your situation. When you have really determined counter surfers and it is something you just can't live with, banning the cats from the entire room is by far the easiest and lowest stress option.

Columbine said:

One - its where FOOD comes from

Two - They're not allowed to be in there so its more fun!

I have seen Jackson Galaxy use motion activated air canisters to teach cats to stay away from certain places. Each time a cat goes (say) onto the counter, they get a puff of air. Its definitely NOT the same as squirting them with water or air yourself.
It seems like that might be the easiest answer for your situation. You could even teach the cats that the whole kitchen is off limits...something that I'd really consider in your situation. When you have really determined counter surfers and it is something you just can't live with, banning the cats from the entire room is by far the easiest and lowest stress option.

Click to expand...

I had  the entire kitchen off limits; see the first entry again. Problem is, I'm not always the person who feeds them, and I recently found out that the other people in the house have been feeding them (when they feed them) in the kitchen. When I complain it's, "But it's easier and doesn't make a difference in the long run." Sorry to rant, but that's what I'm up against. I suppose I should be grateful that they don't feed the cats on  the counters.

Sorry! I must've missed that part of your OP :anon:

I fully understand your frustration - I've lost count of the number of arguments/battles I've had with my parents over animal care. I'm afraid I can't wave a magic wand and make the people act sensibly for you :lol3:

I still think the air canisters might be a good option. Failing that,you could always make Paws Off covers for every kitchen surface at counter height and have them in place whenever the kitchen isn't in use. That requires cooperation from your family to though All I can say really is good luck! Crack the people, and the cats will fall into place!

Columbine said:

Sorry! I must've missed that part of your OP

I fully understand your frustration - I've lost count of the number of arguments/battles I've had with my parents over animal care. I'm afraid I can't wave a magic wand and make the people act sensibly for you

I still think the air canisters might be a good option. Failing that,you could always make Paws Off covers for every kitchen surface at counter height and have them in place whenever the kitchen isn't in use. That requires cooperation from your family to though

All I can say really is good luck! Crack the people, and the cats will fall into place!

Click to expand...

Do you think I could re-establish the kitchen as off limits if I sprayed the floor with Windex after mopping, or do you think that because when the other members of my house "help" feed the cats in the kitchen would undo it?

The feeding in the kitchen will likely trump pretty much any method to keep the cats out. The feeding area is really important to cats, so trying to keep them away WITHOUT everyone feeding them elsewhere will be futile. I really think you need to work on the people to fix this.