How To Keep Cats Off The Counter?

Cats are born to jump and climb, so it's no wonder that cats adore springing onto kitchen countertops. While hopping on the counter may appear to be a harmless pastime, it can have serious implications. Aside from being an annoyance when you're cooking or cleaning, your cat could get burned, consuming dangerous foods or cleaning chemicals, and track bacteria onto the counter, making your family sick.

While you can make intelligent choices like turning off the burner and keeping an eye on your pet, use the tips we've compiled to deter your cat from perching on the counter.

How to Keep Cats Away from Counters

The key to keeping your cat off the counter is to divert its behavior and direct it toward safer choices. Use the This Old House Reviews Team's tried-and-true ways to reroute your cat's behavior.

• Wrap your counters in foil.
• Make a lot of noise and startling noises.
• Use a variety of smells.
• Keep food in a safe place.
• Repair the leak in your faucet.
• Remove the chairs.
• Sun rays should be avoided.
• Make or buy an interesting cat tower.
• Consider using positive reinforcement.
• Negative reinforcement strategies should be avoided.

Use aluminum foil to protect your counters

Cats, as you may know, can be picky about the textures they tread on, avoiding surfaces that create unpleasant sensations.

Many pet owners and professionals advise placing aluminum foil on countertops to discourage your cat's counter-hopping behavior. The sound of crinkled foil combined with the unpleasant sensation may be enough to keep them away from the counter.

Some pet parents prefer to use double-sided tape because cats dislike walking on glue-like surfaces. The biggest disadvantage of this strategy is that cleanup might become sticky. Plastic wrap and sandpaper could also be useful—and less dirty.

Make a Sound

If you want to attempt utilizing noise to dissuade your cat from counter-surfing, aluminum foil is a fantastic place to start. Cats despise the harsh, crinkly sound of aluminum foil, so it's likely to scare them away from the kitchen.

You may be able to keep your cat off the counter by stacking Coke cans or other light items that will cause a disturbance if pushed over, in addition to the sound of foil. You could also play an air horn from afar when your cat lands on the counter.

Experiment with Different Scents

Cats are not only picky about textures, but they are also picky about scents. Essential oils and cleansers, when applied properly, can be an effective and compassionate deterrent. Scents like peppermint, citrus, lavender, eucalyptus, and lime may make your pet reconsider jumping on the counter.

If you do use essential oils, avoid putting them directly on your cat or putting them in a place where your cat can accidentally consume them while licking its paws. To keep cats from jumping on counters out of fear or worry, some pet parents employ relaxing pheromone diffusers.

Remove Food

One of the most common reasons cats jump on counters is to get at food. It can be extremely difficult for your cat to suppress its natural inclination to jump when food tempts it from your counters. Treats, crumbs, leftovers, or even the aroma of your cat's food might be a source of irritation. Dishes in the sink and pots and pans on the stove may also entice your cat.

To deter your cat from chasing the fragrance of food, seal packaged food tightly, keep dishes clean, and make sure there are no residues of food on the counter. If you typically prepare your cat's food on the counter, you should think about finding a new location.

Concentrate on the Faucet

Cats are infamous for attempting to drink from kitchen faucets. They are naturally drawn to clean, flowing water. To discourage your cat from drinking from the kitchen sink, try the following:

• Repair leaks: If your faucet is leaking, your cat may find it difficult to ignore the sound. Repair leaks and, in general, avoid leaving your faucet running.
• Examine the water bowl: Inspect the environment around your cat's bowl to see if anything, such as being too close to the litter box, is worrying your cat out and preventing it from drinking calmly.
• Purchase a water fountain: If your cat has an alternate source of fresh flowing water, it may be less likely to drink from the sink. A cat fountain can also aid in the prevention of whisker fatigue, which occurs when your cat's whiskers get overstimulated and irritated as a result of actions such as drinking from a water bowl.
• Keep water fresh: Refill your cat's drinking source with fresh water on a frequent basis to make it more equivalent to tap water. You can also add a piece of ice to keep it chilled and refreshing.

Chairs and stools should be moved

Does your cat utilize a chair, bar stool, garbage can, or another prop to jump onto the counter? If your cat relies on a piece of furniture to help him reach the counter, then moving it may be the solution. While you shouldn't have to repaint your home or go without barstools to keep your cat down, temporarily putting them away from the counter may help break the habit.

Sun protection

If your cat jumps on the counter primarily to soak up the sun, closing your blinds or drawing your curtains can make it a less inviting position. Similarly, if your cat is perched on the counter to get a good view of your birdfeeder, consider moving it.

In either situation, you can direct your cat to a more appropriate location near a different window or entrance to sunbathe and explore.

Construct a Cat Tower

Providing a fun alternative may be the best way to keep your kitten off the counter. If you have the space, a climbing tree, cat tower, or kitty condo can satisfy your feline friend's yearning to climb to high heights.

You can repurpose an existing piece, such as a bookshelf or couch table if you don't have the space or the price for a cat tree. A little catnip, a cozy blanket, and some sunshine may make your countertop a distant memory.

Consider Clicker Training

If you haven't tried clicker training yet, it could be the perfect instrument for positive reinforcement. This is how it works. Place a favorite toy or treat on the floor the next time your cat jumps on the counter. Use a clicker device to generate a sound as soon as your cat jumps off the counter to claim its prize.

Whether or not there is a treat involved, your cat should associate the clicking sound with receiving a reward and eventually jump off the counter when you click.

Negative Reinforcement should be avoided

Positive reinforcements are generally more effective than negative reinforcements for your cat. So, while using a spray bottle, making loud noises, or just shoving your cat off the counter may appear to be simple solutions, these methods can stress your cat out and cause more harm than good.

Rather than disciplining your cat for climbing on the counter, employ some of the above-mentioned tactics to make the counter less interesting to your cat or kitten and reward it for preferring other spots to relax and explore.

Why Do Cats Enjoy Jumping on the Counter?

Cats prefer jumping on the counter for its vantage point, enticing perfume, warmth, and proximity to water.

Here's some more information about the counter's appeal:

• Height: Cats and kittens appreciate the counter's vantage point. Cats enjoy leaping to new heights and getting a birds-eye perspective of their surroundings and you. Kitchen counters are the ideal height for your canine companion to perch.
• Scent: Cats are attracted to the smell of kitchen surfaces. Fruit ripening in a basket, a dirty plate in the sink, or a stray scrap of chicken on the counter from last night's meal will entice your cat to take a bite.
• Warmth: In many homes, the kitchen counter is located under a windowsill, allowing your pet to stretch out or cuddle up and sunbathe.
• Water: Your cat may be drawn to the kitchen counter by the sound of running water. Fresh flowing water is difficult to refuse, especially if your sink has a leak and drips.

You can solve the problem more effectively if you understand why your cat is leaping on the counter.

Recommendation from PetND

Because it's in your cat's nature to jump and climb, counter-hopping can be a difficult habit to break. However, with some patience, persistence, and appealing options for your cat to investigate, you can keep your worktops kitten-free.