I can't keep my cat off the counter tops!!!!?

In case you've not heard this before ... lightly sprinkle some cayenne pepper on the countertop (before you leave) ... it doesn't hurt them, it only takes once or twice and they re-direct their attention, all together.

**** unless yours is a spice boy like one of mine ****

If he's doing this while you are home, Dad, well, diligence is your duty, not his ... try to remember the 3C's of cat training ... continuity, consistency and compromise ... with these tools, you can accomplish anything with them.

No ... once, must be No, every time ... not just when you feel like it or can catch them in the act (not often) ... practice the behavior you want and cats will follow your lead. Yes they are independant (never said otherwise) but they tooooo like rewarded for good behavior, so don't forget that part of the training ... rewards are important.

Does he have a 'reason' to be up there ... is he passing through or there 'just because' ... if he has a 'reason', look for a compromise.

remember, cats obey Because they respect you ... not the other way around ... in our home, with 9 felines inside regularly, counters and table are off limits and there is an 'imaginary' line in the kitchen they are not allowed across when food is being prepared.

Yes, it takes quite alot of persistence to accomplish compliance but well worth the effort :)

granny mouse - ps: ours are crate and leash trained, also (in our county, leashing is law, not that i agree but we comply)

I have the same problem with my new cat, Sam. He's 5 years old and is exploring everything. I do use the spray bottle of water and that sometimes helps. You could try: Lambert Kay Boundary Indoor/Outdoor Dog & Cat Repellents A training aid for your pet. Will repel dogs and cats for up to 24 hours when applied daily. Keeps pets away from furniture, carpet, trees, shrubs, garbage cans and bags, and other forbidden areas. In pump spray and aerosol.

I do not allow my cats on my counters, kitchen table or toilet tank top. I use Sticky Paws sticky tape, which is double-sided sticky tape. This works for mine since they don't like their paws sticking to the surface. It costs about $12 but you won't have to buy a lot. Once the cats stick to that particular surface, they normally don't go back.

Cats are rarely hurt by inanimate objects and are very efficient at getting themselves out of difficult situations. The "nine lives" myth did not stem from nothing. Their ability to create minor disasters, however, is a different situation entirely. Suggest your remove anything likely to be broken or spilled and just keep your brush and dustpan and clean-wipes handy.

You need to train the cats to associate the counter with negative things. Yell at them and whack them on the nose (not too hard but enough to bother them) whenever you find them on the counters. If they are this persistent, you may need to get a professional trainer or vet's advice.

Hi there,

This is one of the more common issues for people who are owned by cats. We have cats that love to investigate our counter tops, but since we don't keep anything on them that are "inviting" they lost interest in them. And since we have provided them with a couple of cat trees, they prefer them to the height of the counter-tops as the trees are higher.

Rather than re-writing one of the best articles I have found about this topic, l am posting it here. It is written by Pam Johnson Bennett, one of the leading feline behavioral trainers and authors.

http://books.google.com/books?id=pgCB6qM18ZMC&pg=P...

Here she talks about what motivates cats to hang out on counters and become so attracted to them, and things that are simple to do to discourage the behavior.

Good luck. I am sure that her information will be of great help.

Troublesniffer

owned by cats for over 40 years

Member: Cat Writer's Association

Association with negativity on the counter is very good advise! What I do with my (terribly behaved) cats is keep a small squirt bottle on the counter. Whenever they crawl up or run across, SQUIRT!! They've gotten the picture :-) Good luck!!

Do what I did...........remove anything that they can damage, or hurt themselves with, and ..........let them go where they please. Mine use the counter tops as a pathway to the top of the refrigerator, where they have a couple of beds!

As for the "cleanliness" issue.......a quick wipe-down before preparing food, is all that's required.......and your cats are happier with you not "fussing" at them all the time. The more you do NOT want them up on the counters, the more often they'll get there.

CHILL..........an extra wipe of a cloth isn't going to hurt you......

Good luck.