You’ve brought a creature, that is used to running around freely and climbing big trees without any support in the wild, to your tiny little abode and now expect it to sit quietly? But we do understand why you would be asking for this. Cats are excellent gymnasts, but their skills can cost you big at times if they knock down your China. And might end up eating something they are not supposed to.
Keeping cats off the counters is like trying to keep a teenager off their phone. All you’ll get is a lot of attitude. Even if you somehow convince them to stay away, the moment you turn your back and there they are - perched on the kitchen counter like they’re surveying their kingdom.
The solution? A little creativity, a dash of patience, and maybe some catnip bribes. Don’t worry. You’re not alone in this. Here are some really good and possibly effective (can anything be guaranteed when it comes to cats?) ways to keep cats off counters – (1)(2)
The easiest and the most basic way to keep your cat off kitchen counters is to clean them. There is a high chance that your cat is jumping constantly on the counter because they can smell something exciting (or probably just something random). Keeping the counters clean of food scraps can eliminate that option.
The second way is to give them something else to climb. Cats are not going to stop climbing. It’s their natural instinct. And we don’t even have an issue with them climbing, do we? It’s only climbing the kitchen counters which is a problem. So give them something like a climbing tree, a kitty condo that comes with abundant comfortable perching and sleeping areas, etc. The idea is to provide your cat with enough climbing opportunities that mimic being on kitchen countertops for them.
The third solution is like an extension of the first one. Your cat won’t keep looking for food scraps if they are fed enough. Cats love routine. Feed your cat several timely meals a day and you’ll have them planted on the floor, ready for meals when the time comes.
The fourth option is to spend enough time with them. Cats are known to be aloof and independent. However, cats can fight for your attention just like dogs at times. And what better way to get it than doing the thing that they know irritates you the most – jumping on kitchen counters! Spending enough time with them will fulfil their socialization needs.
The fifth one is a distraction. If you want your baby to let you work, what do you do? Give them a toy or hand them to someone else in the family. That’s exactly what you can do with your cat as well. Get some interesting puzzle toys or a game to keep your cat engaged while you’re preparing a delicious meal.
The sixth option for you is to make jumping on the counter, not a great experience for your cat. You can use something like double-sided tape, aluminium foil or a bubble wrap on the surface. These will create an unpleasant experience for your cat. It will deter your cat from jumping around even when you’re not there. The best thing here is that you are not the bad buy. The cat associates the negative experience with the counter surface and not with you.
Another option is to trick your cat. Create a decoy counter somewhere else in your home with a comfy bed, catnip toys, and some treats. Your cat will eventually find that to be a better-hanging spot than the kitchen counter.
All of the above solutions are harmless. You’ll come to know their effectiveness only after trying. So, put your creative hats on and get to work.
But before you do, there are some things that you must remember not to do –
Never scold, spank or hit your cat for behaving a certain way. All you’ll end up doing is instil your fear in their heads.
Do not use any tech device that causes harm to your cat for jumping on the counter. All we want is to reduce the jumping on the counters. Punishing your cat for it with pain may not be the best way to do so.
Do not use environmental aversives to keep your cat away from a certain area. There may be a chance that your cat will stop coming inside the room or even avoid you.
Why Do Cats Jump on the Counter?
Simply because they can. Climbing is a natural instinct for cats. In the wild, cats used to climb to a higher point to get a vantage point over other ground animals. It allows cats to observe the world from a place of safety and escape if need be.
Some cats also jump for the kick – just because it feels good. You must have seen cats falling from big heights and then getting up and walking like nothing happened. Or climbing vertical walls without any support and showing some god-like moves. This is because they are built for climbing. Their springy back haunches and claws are built for pulling them up trees, hillsides, and other surfaces. Their bodies come with amazing shock absorbers as well.
We cannot say for sure why the tree-climbing behavior is replicated with countertops. It could be because of curiosity, hunger or any other reason.
Does Aluminum Foil Keep Cats Off Counters?
It can surely be an effective tool to keep cats off counters. Aluminium foil creates a weird sound when crumbled. It even has a distinct texture. Both of these are hated by cats. Probably, this is why spreading some aluminium foil on the counters can help keep cats away from them. It is not a permanent solution though.
Weirdly, you’ll see that some cats love playing with aluminium foil. It is probably because of its shiny and crinkly properties. There is a reason they say cats are totally unpredictable.
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Geier, E. (2021, December 15). Is your kitty a countertop hopper? Here’s how to keep cats off counters. The Dog People by Rover.com. https://www.rover.com/blog/how-to-keep-cats-off-counters/
Welch, W. (2020, October 19). Keeping cats off of countertops. HSHV. https://www.hshv.org/keeping-cats-off-of-countertops/
