Help keeping cats off counters

[Morgan Williams]

We have recently moved into a new home and are trying hard to enforce no cats ontop of the counters, tables, and barstools ( Arizona already tried digging her nails into the barstool). Does anyone have any helpful tips to get them to stop? I thought it would be easier being in a new house because I know with dogs , at least, a change of scenery is the best time to train a a bad trait out. At the old house I tried the tin foil, tape, and citrus tricks, but none worked. Anytime I see them on the counter I firmly say " no , bad kitty " and put them on the floor. My other cat never got on the counters before and he's going crazy to be up there now. They stay in the cat room until they can be supervised since we just moved and Arizona is prone to out of litter box accidents when left unattended for long periods. Any help is welcomed.

 

[Lisa and Witn (GA)]

You could try double side tape or foil on the counters. Other options are scat mats and noise makers

 

[Red & Rover (GA)]

I once used a line of empty yogurt cartons along the edge of the counter. Light enough not to hurt when they fall off the counter.

 

[Morgan Williams]

I've used the foil and double sided tape. I even tried standing up cardboard on the counters before to try to block her and she just pushed it out of the way.

 

[Gracie85]

Instead of just saying No and removing them, create a scene of mayhem and terror when they go up there. Spray bottle of water mercilessly chasing them off and far away. Yelling NO!!! NO!!!! Grab a dish towel and swat it in their direction as you chase them away (don't actually hit them). Basically, create a condition where they fear for their furry little lives, even tho none of it actually hurts them, just make it feel like that. Right now, it's a game and a challenge. You gotta make it so scary to go up there that they just won't do it.
We had one cat who would still go up when we weren't there to create havoc. So I precariously piled a bunch of aluminum pie tins on the counter, a little ways back from the edge so he wouldn't see them and had room to get up there. But I also loosely linked them together with masking tape, like pie tins on a string, only tape, and then had the masking tape continue onto the counter where he would jump up, sticky side facing up. Cat jumps onto counter, feet land on tape, pie tin pile starts to fall, cat jumps down only masking tape sticks to his feet just enough to pull the entire pile of pie tins down with him as if they were chasing and attacking him. Was a looooong time before he went up on the counter again. No actual harm done except for creating great fear of the counters. (This is a cat who stands ON his wet litter clumps while he buries them, so he leaves sticky pee litter residue prints all over when he leaves the box. Drastic measures and a bit of terrorizing were definitely necessary to keep him off the counters.)

 

[John Mike]

A spray bottle with water has always worked for me!

 

[Little Bit’s Mom]

I don’t think scaring them is healthy, personally. I do the same thing you mentioned, move them off the undesired location and say “no” and perhaps give a treat when they’re doing the right thing. In college, I took a psychology class where we discussed a study regarding animals and redirection. It was clear that positive reinforcement was all that works in their brains; negative reinforcement only causes feelings of fear and does not correct the behavior.

 

[Scdal]

A spray bottle filled with white vinegar is how we train sanctuary cats. Aim for their body and not their head. Make sure you use white vinegar so it won't stain. The smell of the vinegar lingers on their fur and when they wash themselves, they taste the vinegar. It will not hurt your cat at all but after a few days, you will only have to pick up the spray bottle for your cat to get the message.

 

[Deborah & Muffy(GA) & Wendall]

Cats jump on things. It's in their nature to seek high places and life is too short to try and change what is instinctive to them. Consider how much time and energy it takes to put tinfoil, double-sided tape and all those other things on the counter or chase them with a water bottle. And why would anyone think it acceptable to terrorize a family member to force compliance? It really is much easier to wipe the counter with a paper towel and some Clorox clean-up than to get frustrated trying to outsmart them, or worse, causing them to become fearful.

I have always fed my cats on the counters because it's more convenient for me. They have their little placemats and know their spots. It's also where they get fluids, medications and nail trims so I certainly do not want them to be afraid of the counter - or the very similar exam table at the vet. Think about that.

White vinegar is an acid and while an effective household cleaner, it should never be sprayed directly at or near a cat, even if diluted. It can cause irritation to skin and eyes and alter stomach acidity which can be fatal for a cat with kidney disease. Cats have very sensitive noses and the strong, eye-burning smell and taste could deter a cat from grooming his own fur when he tries to lick it off. Spraying vinegar on a cat is potentially dangerous and cruel.