keeping kitties off of the dining table

our new kittens are constantly laying and walking on the kitchen dining table. We started squirting them when we brought them home and when they got up, but often times when we are not looking, they are up on there again. I don't know if because I allow them up on the end tables and bedside tables (begrudgingly) is the problem. Should I be consistent and forbid them to be on any table? What about my upholstered furniture? I don't mind them on that, since we like to cuddle. Am I confusing them?

Are you confusing them? Ummmmm.... Good question. Maybe, since cats supposedly can't differentiate between the context of the living room furniture and the kitchen table. But most people try, anyway. I suspect in the end you'll probably just give in and let them have their way. It's really a whole lot less frustrating. But cats can be taught, if you're consistent and persistent.

I've trained my cats to stay off the table while I'm eating. But as soon as I'm finished (and of course when I'm away or my back is turned) they're back up there. The way I did this was just to shove them off the table (with a gentle push on the back end in the direction of the floor so they had to jump off) every single time they jumped on to the table while I was sitting there. So eventually they learned it was no use to jump on the table while I was sitting there because they'd just get shoved off anyway and finally just stopped trying. Maybe that will work for you, too.

First off give these kittens places they can jump on. A cat condo is ideal because it satisfies their need to scratch and to jump and to climb. Instead of squirting them with water (never a good idea) try this- go out and get some inexpensive placemats- the plastic type. Take these and line the table with them so when the kittens jump up on the table they meet the plastic and they generally don't like how it feels on their paws and will jump down.

Or you can buy one of those computer floor mats and put that up there with the bumps pointing up, it doesn't hurt them but it makes their feet very uncomfortable and they will jump down.

You can also line soda cans filled with a tiny bit of water along the outside edge of the table and when they jump up the can knocks over and spills and startles them.

To be honest, I don't know why, if you aren't eating at the time, they can't be up there

My two and I have some kind of consensual agreement which states that if I am eating, they can't be up there, but if no one is around, they have full reign

I simply wipe it down before anyone eats at the table

just give in and let them have it!

i started off with rules and now the cats are telling me what to do!

as long as they are safe and the srfaces are wipe clean learn to turn a blind eye to it!

I have several kitty condos around, one is 8 ft tall. I let them on all the sofas and chairs and on my bed. I guess I can try the "not being on the table when I am eating" but I am not sure if they will learn this since they already love to beg. I have no idea how they picked this up since I never feed them from the table. They are my sweeties so I don't want to hurt them in anyway or make them feel unloved

I've had luck with picking them up and putting them down on the floor every time I see them on the table. Eventually they stop getting up there when I'm around. I know that at night they do get up there but this method means that I can clean and set the table and they won't bother it. But it does take several months to see results.

I eventully gave up on the no cat on the counter. I dont know how we have never had a cat at home that got on the counter or tables, but I never remember there being a problem. Now that I have cj, he is on the counter whenever I am doing something. I have gotten the point across that he does not beg because he does not get human food. (sometimes I will give him the water off my tuna fish in a saucer or something like that, but i give it in his own dish, not off mine.) and when he tries all I have to say now is "CJ we dont beg!) and he goes off and does his own thing. if only I could get this for the counters i would be happy. I think he just wants to see what i am doing, he likes to watch me wash dishes.

I gave up on the dining room table, as Miss Kitty adopted it as "her space" - it looks right out a large window (like one big kitty perch).

I don't eat at the table very often anyway (it's mainly a place to hold mail, LOL) so I decided to just bite the bullet, and put a nice comfy tablecloth (the ones with the fuzzy backing) on the table for her. I also hang some of her toys around the table as well. When I do need the table (for guests, etc.) I just take off the kitty-cloth and wipe down the table.

Darn, I'm at work right now - and boy talking about Kitty makes me miss her even more!

MKD

My cats NEVER get on the table ...especially when I am not home or not looking.

Originally Posted by Loveysmummy

To be honest, I don't know why, if you aren't eating at the time, they can't be up there

My two and I have some kind of consensual agreement which states that if I am eating, they can't be up there, but if no one is around, they have full reign

I simply wipe it down before anyone eats at the table

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That's how I feel, mine like the dining room table and all of my counter tops, but I did inform them this morning no matter who they think they are it's still my Kitchen

I've pretty much given up on keeping mine off the dining room table, especially Katie, who thinks of it as one of her places to lounge and take a break from her little brother. They're really prettty good about leaving me alone when I'm eating and stay off the table completely when I have company, so I don't worry about it.

Originally Posted by rirunyan

our new kittens are constantly laying and walking on the kitchen dining table. We started squirting them when we brought them home and when they got up, but often times when we are not looking, they are up on there again. I don't know if because I allow them up on the end tables and bedside tables (begrudgingly) is the problem. Should I be consistent and forbid them to be on any table? What about my upholstered furniture? I don't mind them on that, since we like to cuddle. Am I confusing them?

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Have you tried an animal communicator? You will definitely need to know what you want them to do or not do or the communication will confuse them. They might be picking up on that indecision from you right now.

If you want to see what it's all about, without any financial commitment, there's a practice board where people who are learning communication will communicate with your animals for free. It sometimes takes a little while, but it might be worth a try.

The website is:
http://www.bigcaat.com/animalcommunication

Hope this helps.

I have the same problem. We've had Kenny for over a month now. Just recently he started jumping up and walking around the table being the curious cat he is. No mater how many times I put him down and say "No!" (he understands the meaning of no cuz he stops whenever i say no in other situations) he is constanly back up there, when we're eating hes always curious to see what it is...or just to plain walk around. He sees me coming and jumps off cuz he knows its wrong but when I'm not looking he;s back up there! I need help! How do i teach him its wrong?

Oh gawd, our dining room table has cat beds on it for the cats! LOL!

My mum always used a spray bottle with a long squirt range on it.
6 cats over 20 years and non dare go on the table.
She used to keep it on the kitchen bench for while she was serving up dinner, after a while they'd just have to see the bottle and they'd stop. She did this until they learnt the meaning of NO.
I know some people don't condone this method of training but I've yet to see a problem with it.

My cats used to always jump up on the kitchen counters. Now I have a no cats in the kitchen/living room during dinner rule. The cats stay in the bedroom while we eat and during clean up. That way I can eat without worrying that the cats will jump up onto the counter and get into something, or step on the hot stove. Kitties stay in the bedroom until the stove cools and dinner is cleaned up. The funny thing is that now I don't ever find them on the counter anymore. Either they gave up or they have become sneakier.

Originally Posted by MusicTeacher

My cats used to always jump up on the kitchen counters. Now I have a no cats in the kitchen/living room during dinner rule. The cats stay in the bedroom while we eat and during clean up. That way I can eat without worrying that the cats will jump up onto the counter and get into something, or step on the hot stove. Kitties stay in the bedroom until the stove cools and dinner is cleaned up. The funny thing is that now I don't ever find them on the counter anymore. Either they gave up or they have become sneakier.

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I just wanted to say that your signature is way over the 'legal' limit. It needs to be 30kb or less. Just thought i'd give you a warning before a mod edits it.

Originally Posted by KaTwOmAn

I have the same problem. We've had Kenny for over a month now. Just recently he started jumping up and walking around the table being the curious cat he is. No mater how many times I put him down and say "No!" (he understands the meaning of no cuz he stops whenever i say no in other situations) he is constanly back up there, when we're eating hes always curious to see what it is...or just to plain walk around. He sees me coming and jumps off cuz he knows its wrong but when I'm not looking he;s back up there! I need help! How do i teach him its wrong?

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Just keep consistently putting him down on the floor. After awhile, he will find it more trouble than it is worth. It took about 6 months before my kitten would stay off the table when I'm around.