Jumping on furniture...

My cat is 10mo old and he's usually pretty good except he jumps on EVERYTHING. He's not allowed on the computer desk, dresser, bathroom counter/sink, kitchen sink, window sill.. I've tried spraying him with water when I catch him in the act and also tried those sprays you buy in the store that are supposed to keep him off of certain things or areas. Is there anything else I could try?

Can someone help, plz?!

I'm no expert at all, but I've heard it suggested that you can use foil taped down in the forbidden areas, or double-sided tape. They don't like the feel of the tape or foil underneath their paws, so they don't go up there anymore. I hope it helps, or that someone can offer you a better solution!

Thank you for replying!! I'll put that on my list of ideas =)

Can I ask why he not allowed on so many places? I understand some of them but especially the window sill. He knows things are going on out there and would like to see (natural).

Other than that, while I don't think spraying a cat is a good idea, if you are going to do it, please be careful you don't spray in/near his eyes or ears~

Cats have a natural affinity to jump or climb on things.

Try giving him a cat tree or a window perch -- and voila, his needs will be given a constructive outlet.

Aww, let him on the window sill...that is a cats favorite spot becuase of all the activity going on out there!

If you really don't want him up there, they make cat shelves for the cat to sit on that attaches to the window so the cat has a place to lay and look outside.

Also get a cat tree with a lot of holes and levels to keep your cat occupied. That will hopefully satisfy his need to climb and jump. Remember that climbing and jumping and also scratching are natural behaviors for cats and you cannot deny them of it. They dig their claws into something to help them do all this, it all goes together. So if you don't want them to scratch or climb up on certain things in your home, you must provide things that they CAN climb, jump and scratch on.

I think that you're fighting a losing battle. Some cats are just climbers and jumpers and trying to prevent them from doing what just comes naturally is going to end up frustrating yourself and your cat without really accomplishing anything. You can put throws on the furniture to keep them clean for when guests come and wipe off the counter tops and table with Lysol spray before cooking and eating and wipe out the sinks after each use.

Go ahead and provide alternatives as the other posters recommend, but I think in the end you're just better off resigning yourself to living with a cat that jumps up on things. As for the deterrents, they might work, but they deter your use as well as the cat's, and IMO, they're just a pain in the butt.

Welcome to the world of being ruled by cats!!

My furniture, shelves and everything else in my place, belongs to my cats...except the stove. As suggested above, I use throws on my couch. I also, as I would with a young human child, make sure that eveything is secure or put out of harms way, so my furkids won't get hurt. Then I sit back & enjoy my funny, fuzzy, fussy, felines.
Any guests that I might have understand that in my home...cats rule.

I can't even keep Tom off the stove!!



I am fortunate in having an unused bedroom that I converted to the cats' room, and they go in there to stay while I'm cooking and eating. By the time I've got everything cleaned up, the stove is cool again.

Originally Posted by Sandtigress

I'm no expert at all, but I've heard it suggested that you can use foil taped down in the forbidden areas, or double-sided tape. They don't like the feel of the tape or foil underneath their paws, so they don't go up there anymore. I hope it helps, or that someone can offer you a better solution!

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when we brought our two home from the adoption center, we were also told to put sheets of foil down on anything we didn't want the cats jumping up on. so we covered the kitchen counters and the dining room table. unfortunately, i think our cats actually liked the foil under their feet. we ended up taking it off, and just using a firm "no" and picking them up off the forbidden surface and placing them on the floor. they still jump up where they don't belong occasionally, but they know they don't belong there and as soon as we start moving towards them, they jump down. however, i'm sure when we're not home or when we're asleep, everything's fair game.

Oh my coaster!!!!! Thank goodness you have that spare room!!!

Originally Posted by amirando

when we brought our two home from the adoption center, we were also told to put sheets of foil down on anything we didn't want the cats jumping up on. so we covered the kitchen counters and the dining room table. unfortunately, i think our cats actually liked the foil under their feet. we ended up taking it off, and just using a firm "no" and picking them up off the forbidden surface and placing them on the floor. they still jump up where they don't belong occasionally, but they know they don't belong there and as soon as we start moving towards them, they jump down. however, i'm sure when we're not home or when we're asleep, everything's fair game.

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I have the same situation. I never used foil but I used a squirt bottle for awhile but it never worked. Now I just say a firm "no" and remove them from the counters. It's working because I rarely have to do it anymore.

But I bet you that when we are asleep or not home they are having a blast breaking every rule.

I used to be very picky about my furniture and I was determined that I would remain the boss of the house but after a few frustrating months I surrendered the household to the cats and they basically claim whatever they want now. I no longer have a stuffed animal collection, it now belongs to my cat Toby and he gets very upset if I touch it.

Good Luck!

Amy

Our cats are not allowed on any furniture that's not intended for sitting, but they are allowed on beds, couches, chairs, and windowsills. Plus of course their cat condo.

They all seem to be fine with that except Ozzy. He is very defiant and will purposely get on desks or the table to get our attention. I tell him no and make him get down, but otherwise I try not to sweat it. Apparently he gets his jollies from acting like he is the boss of everything and everyone, so okay, whatever. Yeah, buddy, you're the alpha cat, I tell him.

I think with cats sometimes you just have to pick your battles. And one of these days I will manage to pick a battle with Ozzy that I will win.

Originally Posted by TigerAmy

I no longer have a stuffed animal collection, it now belongs to my cat Toby and he gets very upset if I touch it.

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Ha ha -- hilarious!! I guess that's what they mean when they say "cats rule!!"

Originally Posted by evnshawn

I think with cats sometimes you just have to pick your battles. And one of these days I will manage to pick a battle with Ozzy that I will win.

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Amen to that!! But with your bossy little guy you might have to wait a while!!

I decided not to fight the jumping urges. I figure they would be doing everything I didn't want them to do when I'm gone anyway. I have a tiny house and 3 cats and they rule. I guess I'm pretty lucky though as they are pretty well behaved cats.
They're all pretty relaxed so when I'm eating or making food after about 2 or 3 times putting them down they go off and do something else. I do find that when they are being particularly nosey and I don't want them to be, if I divert them (bring them to a window or something) they are very easily distracted onto something else. I say pick and choose the battles, rather like kids. My battle with Wallace is the back door. That one I'm going to win....someday.

Right On Grapegal...Our Cats Rule!
Wallace you be a good boy ... stay away from the back door .

ours are allowed everywhere but the printer only because he tears out the pages as they are printing and ruins them.

I would allow my cats to go anywhwere except on the kitchen counter... my mom freaks out when they get on the tables and says its "unsanitary" and its like.. we eat on plates.. and we dont eat at the table anyways.. O_O I know they go on the tables when we sleep though the evil little muffins. I usually let them stay on teh table when my mom isnt home

From when Guinness was a baby I started to tell him "no" gently if he would jump somewhere where he should not be. It has and it hasn't worked!

Occasionally I will find him on the kitchen counters, but as soon as he sees me he will jump off cos he knows he shouldn't be there. I don't mind him on top of the fridge freezer however as I don't really prepare food there.

The main places that annoy me if he does jump on them are: kitchen counters, kitchen table , side table next to fish bowl and wardrobe in bedroom (as he attacks the blinds & curtains!).

But, having said that, he is generally a good boy and cos it's getting warmer he uses all his energy up acting like a looney in the garden