How do you keep a cat from jumping on the counters....my cat is making a mess of things!?

All right, your cat tracked litter. Having the litter boxes further away will result in more of the litter falling off his paws before he gets to the counters.

But if you are not referring to kitchen counters, but end table tops, etc., it really is a losing battle. Not having things that can be messed with may be your only option.

A squirt gun is effective, but you have to catch him in the act. And cats are jumpers. Yes, you can put things on the counter that your cat will not like, such as foils, etc. but that also may be inconvenient. So look at some motion sensor type alarms.

I have posted a link to several to consider. (I have no stake in the company, nor have I used the products I have provided the links to.)

I have the same problem... lol. The vet suggested using a water gun and squirt him when he does it and I've heard of some other inhumane ways but there not worth mentioning.