kitties on the counters

[lexibent]

Hello all. I need some advice. I'm trying to find a way to keep the kitties off the counters. I know, who am I to deny the kitties access to any part of their house? I've tried squirting them, but it's not working. Lexi (the little grey one) will run like h$ll if I get the water bottle out, but Bentley just looks at me with this sad look when I squirt him. He doesn't seem to understand. He just stares at me as if to say "why are you getting me all wet, mom?" Then, I start feeling bad, and we're back to square one.

Does anyone have any ideas for me? Or, do I have to just give up this fight and let them have their way?

Thanks!
Stacie

[RedHedd]

Originally posted by lexibent
Hello all. I need some advice. I'm trying to find a way to keep the kitties off the counters. .... Or, do I have to just give up this fight and let them have their way?

The latter.

[Cinder & Smoke]

Originally posted by lexibent

... keep the kitties off the counters?

... do I have to just give up this fight and
let them have their way?

Well, you'll never *WIN* that war ~

Soooo, it's sort of a question of "How much *enjoyment* do you
and the Kats get from the Battles?"

I used to *worry* about Boots getting BURNED on the stove...
But after *observing* his technique of navigating across the
burners - I quit worryin!

And after a while - ya *Learn* to avoid the Major Problems...

I cooked up a BIG Bucket of Mack 'n Cheeze 'n Tuna one nite...
Served MY plate, tossed the spoon on the stove;
and sat down to munch...

*LICK* *LICK* *LICKITY-LICK* - *KLUNK*
as the Kat-Licked spoon hit the floor...
(Oh well - I'll pick it up when I'm ready for seconds...)

Return to the stove (for seconds) to find ~
Da KAT, STANDING on the stove and REACHING INTO the M&C&Tuna bowl!

He'd Dip a Paw, Grab a Fist-Full, *shake* it off on the stove,
and gobble it up! Then stand back up, reach in again,
and grab another glob!

MEMO to Self:
COVER the Bowl when you leave ANYthing in the kitchen!

You'll Learn!



/s/ Chief Cook fur da Kat

[lexibent]

Believe me, I've learned about covering EVERYTHING in the kitchen! Actually, it was never a problem when I just had Bentley, he has never been a jumper. Prefers to keep all four on the floor, I'm not sure why. However, when I got Lexi she was constantly jumping on the counters. I think that Bentley saw her jumping on them and realized he could jump up there too. So, I think he picked up this bad habit from her.

Honestly, I just squirt them or put them on the floor when I see them up there. It's just embarrassing when I have non cat owners over and the cats are all over the counters.

I guess I'll just keep squirting them. I wonder if they'll ever make the connection that I don't WANT them on the counters. My mom says they already have, but they know that their will is stronger than mine and I'll eventually cave.

[smokey the elder]

Welcome to Pet Talk! I can tell your cats don't get along well at all. Maybe a can full of beans to make a noise will deter the cat who doesn't respond to Mr. Squirty.

A few years ago my cat Bosun helped herself to half of my chicken grinder! Needless to say, leftovers are stored out of cat's reach.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Originally posted by lexibent
It's just embarrassing when I have non cat owners over and the cats are all over the counters.

You will also learn to not care what non-cat owners think when they visit. So far I have never heard of a little cat hair killing anyone so if they get grossed out and won't eat at your house because your cats are on the counter....well...I say let them eat somewhere else then!

[mruffruff]

Cats don't like aluminum foil. Maybe put a strip along the edges for a few days until they get the idea. I understand they also dislike sticky stuff, but that would be hard to do and still live there.

I put foil on the arms and fronts of my padded chairs when Dale decided to use them for scratching posts. It redirected her to the actual scratching post right next to the chairs.

Worth a try.

Mary

[Barbara]

If you really want to hear what Pet Talk thinks of kitties on the counters read that - very funny- thread:

Cat manners

[Jari's Mama]

Of course, the cat lover in me says let them have their way but the realist (?) in me has to worry about them getting burnt on the stove, knocking something glass off that would break and then they'd get glass splinters, or getting their head stuck down the sink's drain.

After many, many, MANY arguements with the cats getting on DH's nerves by getting on places where cats are not allowed (such as the top of the entertainment center and knocking stuff off that broke or scratching on the bedroom door all night), I bought a Scat Mat. It is a plastic mat that when stepped on will give off a shock (like a bad static cling shock) . I wish I would have gotten it years ago.

It comes with instructions on how to train your pet with it. For in front of the bedroom door they learned to avoid it by sight (after all they ARE allowed in the bedroom when we aren't sleeping). So I have the dummy mat (looks the same but doesn't shock) so we can roll it out every night. For the entertainment center, we set it up there and covered it with a towel so they couldn't see it. They learned to associate the top of the entertainment center with a shock and now they stay off. You could do that with the counters.

Now if I could just find some great training device for the DH....
j

PS... I tried both aluminium foil and sticky tape, neither worked.

[lexibent]

Barbara- that thread on Cat manners is HILARIOUS!!! I guess that all cats are just naturally drawn to the kitchen counters and table. Even if (as is my case) food is RARELY prepared there. I need to bookmark that thread to look at whenever I need a good laugh.

I'm going to try the aluminum trick. I'm doubting that it will work. I guess I could always just pull up the Cat manners thread and show that to any guests who get freaked out by kitties on the counters! I'm just thankful that mine haven't gotten into the toilet yet (that I know of!). I'm definitely going to be weary the next time I get "kisses". ugh. Kind of makes me want to go disinfect right now!

[csanchezveloso]

I've tried it all...it's like someone else said, it's THEIR house. they will do as they please!

Just always remember to keep that food covered!! hahaha

[ActionCat007]

Try using a super soaker, that should do the trick. lol

[moosmom]

so if they get grossed out and won't eat at your house because your cats are on the counter....well...I say let them eat somewhere else then

Right on Debbie!!!!

Don't people KNOW that cat hair is a condiment??? What's a little fur among friends anyways???

I can tell ya that is ONE battle you'll never win. Cuz, even though you can TRY and curb it when you're home, you KNOW they're doing it when you're not.

[MommaCat]

Give it up Mom.... It's a lost cause. Shadow never jumps up on the counter.. Pumpkin was not a jumper either.. ( Bless his little soul) BUT my Clayton IS.. every morning.. he wakes me up.. MOMMA GET UP!!!!! HUNGRY!!!! so down I go... I ask him what wet food he wants today.. he and shadow both have dry food out all the time.. he tells me exactly what he wants and prpmptly hops on the counter. I open the can and he starts to eat before itis out. He hops down and finishes his breakfast. He ususally only does this once a day.. HOWEVER Jim said that he was making a sandwich one day and Clayton hopped up tp give Dad advice on the proper way to make it.

It is a losing battle.... I wipe the counters down with spray disenfectant... but my fur children are cleaner then alot of humans I know!


BLessings,
Momma cat.. Deb

[christa]

Originally posted by lexibent
Or, do I have to just give up this fight and let them have their way?

I say FIGHT IT OUT! I love my Josie to death, but there's one thing I can't stand and that is her on the kitchen counter! It's just always bothered me. When she figured out she could jump up there, we'd scold her and immediately she would jump down. She's only done it a few times. She's very curious about what goes on up on the counter, but she knows better. I'd stick with it. I think that your cats will loose interest over time. DON'T GIVE UP!!!