Advice needed before my boyfriend loses it!

[Taz_Zoee]

I've mentioned it in another thread. Jax will not stay off the kitchen counters. We've tried the squirt bottle. It worked at first then he just sat there and licked the water off himself.
If I'm home and walk into the kitchen he knows and will jump down (not quick enough though). And my boyfriend works at home and does his work at the kitchen table. He is constantly yelling and pounding on the table to get Jax off the counter. It happens so often, he'd get a work-out if he got up and went over to him EVERY time. Nothing phases this cat. NOTHING! And I'm not going to beat the little thing, of course.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what we can do to discourage him from getting on the counter? Oh, he does it anytime, not just when there is something of yummy interest involved.

My previous experience with this (with Taz) was he was sneaky about getting on the counter. I would only see the paw prints on the glass stove top as evidence. Paizly doesn't really ever get up there, but if she does she jumps down if she even hears someone coming in. I've gone stomping into the kitchen when Jax is up there and he'll cower down in the ready-to-jump position, but won't actually get down until I'm on top of him.

Thanks!! And if I get some ideas, I promise I'll update the photo thread of him. It's long overdue.

[Kfamr]

You know those clear plastic runners for carpets that have grippers on the bottom? Try putting those, gripper side up, on the surfaces you dont want him to jump on. Most cats don't like the feeling of the grippers (but it doesn't hurt them) so they avoid them and the surfaces after a while.

[moosmom]

Aluminum foil with on the counters along with soda cans filled with pennies. They hate both sounds.

[katladyd]

Yep, aluminum foil works every time!

[Laura's Babies]

^Worked for me to keep them away from behind my computer desk too! ^

[Taz_Zoee]

I don't know about putting plastic stuff all along the kitchen counter. Although, I wonder if you can cut it and just lay it along the edge. It wouldn't have to be there permanently, right?

And what do you mean with the aluminum foil? Do what with it? Lay it out all over the counter? If that's the case, I don't think Bruce would go for that. But I could always suggest it if he wants him to stay off the counter.

I thought of the noisy soda can, but Taggart is so jumpy with loud sudden noises and so is Zoee sometimes. And honestly, I think after he learned it won't hurt him he wouldn't even care. I've gone up to him while he was on the counter yelling right in his face and blowing on him. He hardly moved. And when I say yelling, I just said OFF!

Thanks for the ideas!! Keep 'em coming.

[kitten645]

I've tried foil and no dice. Some cats don't care. At the risk of cruelty accusations there are "scat pads" that deliver a mild shock when the stand on them. I do have a motion activated alarm that sounds when they jump but it's more on a sofa situation. Maybe you could spray the counter with a citrus smell. They are supposed to hate that though my foster ignored it. Just some suggestions...pics pleez? LOL

[kitten645]

PS My Calvin is the craziest kitty...I yell and shake a water bottle and spray but he runs for a second and comes RUNNING back to me. LOL! No fear. I guess that's a good thing that he knows I'd never hurt him. I think it's an attention issue...hmmm. did I mention another kitty? Distraction. Company?

[Catty1]

Cats hate the smell of vinegar and of cedar chips. Maybe put a few cedar chips into small bowls or baskets.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I really don't know what else to add here that would help you. I've pretty much given up and I let my cats walk on my counters on the sink side but I'm still trying to teach Blaze not to jump on top of my stove/oven area. Blaze is also fearless and I have to blow in his face to get him to run away from me. If I clap my hands and shout no, he'll just sit there. Now Alani is much more sensitive so if I clap my hands he's gone in a flash.

I also have the problem of both of them jumping and wanting to play in the litter boxes while I try to clean them. I've never seen two kittens that love to sleep or play in the litter boxes so much. Now I blow in Blaze's face and clap my hands at Alani and it seems to make them stay away for a little while. Oh the joy of having kittens again.LOL Good luck with keeping Jax off of the counters.

I also thought of this. Some cats hate the smell of mint so maybe you could spray something that smells minty on or around the counters. My cats hate the smell of toothpaste and mouthwash.

[Freedom]

If you find something which works, please let me know!

Mine go up as soon as my back is turned. They KNOW they are not to be up there. And if they see me looking at them, even with no word from me, no "frozen" position on my part, they jump right off. Then the moment I turn away, up they go again.

[happylabs]

What is up there on your counter that is attracting him? What does he do once he is there?

Maybe use reverse psychology and ignore him for a couple days when he gets up there.

If all else fails, ditch the boyfriend and keep the cat.

[Pinot's Mom]

I have no further advise for keeping the kitty down, I'm sorry, I haven't been very successful in that regard myself. Pinot knows she's not supposed to be there, and the universal (calmly but firmly stated) 'down' will most of the time get her down (unless there is cheese in the vicinity and then it's a lost cause).

You might want to mention to your boyfriend, when he's in a better mood, hysterics have no effect on cats. In my experience, they tend to ignore you even more if you're out of control or loud. They respond to even toned, repeated "commands" (suggestions for their behaviour is a better way to put it) more than shouting.

Good luck! Kisses to Jax!

[Medusa]

I feel for you, Cindy, truly. I've tried everything that's been suggested except the gripper pad but I have no doubt that it wouldn't discourage Coco Puff. If I squirt him in the face w/water, he braces himself as if to say "Go ahead. Hit me w/your best shot". Then he jumps down but he jumps right back up again. He actually sleeps on the countertop sometimes. I don't know what attracts him; I doubt anything does. He just likes being naughty. Wish I could offer some suggestions that others haven't already offered but I've got nothin'. I can only offer my encouragement to not give up. Good luck.

[Queen of Poop]

Cali's not much for counter tops but Diego is. I wait until he sits his catbutt down and then I give him the "look" and calmly but assertively tell him to get down. And he does. I do however give them free reign over the bathroom counter and sink. I love it when Cali lays in the sink!