Advice needed before my boyfriend loses it!

[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.

[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!

[Randi]

I don't have any ideas to add, but I hope some of them works. If not, I'd go with happylabs suggestion "If all else fails, ditch the boyfriend and keep the cat.

Does Jax keep getting up there because he wants to look out the window? That's Fister's reason for sitting on the kitchen counter here. Does your boyfriend not want him there because he needs the space for work, or is it because of dirty paws? If so, perhaps it would be easier to just have a damp cloth laying there at all times and just wipe the counter before use.

[moosmom]

You put two-sided tape on the aluminum foil and tape it to the counter (it's temporary). Like I said, they hate the noise. Once they hear that noise (you can also use some kind of paper that "crackles") they'll associate the bad noise with the counter and avoid it.

They don't like citrus smells, moth balls (do not put them loose, enclose them in a netted lingerie bag so they can't chew on them, not that they will) and cedar.

Good luck!!

[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!