stubborn cat

[western_rider]

Does anyone have any ideas as to how to keep my cat off of my counters and other areas where she is not supposed to be. She knows that she's not supposed to be there and if she sees me coming or I yell at her, she leaves right away - but she'll jump up again in two seconds if I'm not in the immediate vicinity or she thinks I don't see her. I need to put a stop to it, 'cause she's leading my other cat astray and teaching him to do the same bad things that she does.
Thanx!
Randi

[Karen]

Short of fencing off your countertops ...

Does she hate water? Squirt-guns can be great de-motivators for cats, worse than being yelled at (unless she's a water-loving Maine Coon) and they often can;t tell where the water is coming from, which is a plus!

[Randi]

Welcome to PT!

How old is your cat? A squirt gun may be useful, as Karen suggested. Have you tried hissing at her? I once did when Fister was being naughty and that stopped him. If she's a new cat, give her time to check things out, she may loose interest after a while. You know, it's much more amusing for cats to go places they're not allowed and she seems to know where.

Good luck!

[jenluckenbach]

Welcome to pet talk........now you don't mind if I laugh a little, do you? make a cat do something she doesn't want to.....hee hee. SORRY, I've lived with cats too long to think that you can teach them what they don't want to know.

THE ONLY THING THE CAT WILL LEARN IS TO JUMP OFF COUNTERS WHEN YOU YELL or TO STAY OFF WHILE YOU ARE NOT LOOKING..........BUT I CAN GUARRENTEE THAT SHE WILL STILL GO ON THE COUNTER WHEN YOU ARE NOT LOOKING. IT IS IN A CAT'S NATURE TO DO AS THEY PLEASE. (sorry for the capitals, hit the wrong key)

The only item that I know of that may work is a scat mat, but you'd have to be willing to SHOCK your cat in order to deter her from the bad behavior. And they aren't inexpensive, either.

[rpcathouse]

I agree with jenluckenbach. If the cats want up on the counter the cat will be on the counter. I have the end of one counter that they lay on so I fixed a bed and that is where they jump up and sleep. And there is fresh water there also, they like it better on the counter next to the sink than on the floor. I have some who will sleep in the sink. This is P.B. in the sink

Stella

P.S. I always wash off the counters before use and did that before cats. Just a habit I have.

[spunkymeow]

I had to add a comment about my kittens jumping on the counter. I've tried "psssstttt" ing them. I've tried clapping my hands together in front of their face. I've tried spritzing them with a water bottle. Nothing works! For Christmas, we had a 7 foot christmas tree. We had to take it down, cause they would sleep in it! I tried spritzing them with water, and it like excited them more - then they'd run around the house even crazier!! Talk about stubborn cats!

[PayItForward]

Welcome to Pet Talk

Why don't you post an introduction post in the cat general section.

PS. I love the photo, I have a Bam Bam too...Real name Bramble

[Lixx]

Couple things that have worked ok for me. We have a "can of air" with a motion sensor. If they jump up it beeps and shoots air at them. Usually under $50. not cheap - but it's saving my plants!. Also you can put double sided sticky tape on the counter. They don't like it on their paws. Just remember to put a few varying strips so they don't just jump past it. If neither works for you, as rpcathouse said, give them their own section!

[neko1]

They certainly do as they please! Mine are always on the counters. Tama's favorite place to sleep is on the stove cause it's so nice and warm and he can fit his skinny little abyssinian body in between the burners.