How do I keep cats off my kitchen counter?

Sharon
by Sharon

I have 2 cats. One is fine, the other is constantly jumping on my counters. Eating whatever is around. She does this on the table too. I'm going out of my mind. Another thing, she has never, and I mean never, taken a drink from her bowl. She jumps to the sink and uses her paw to get it from the faucet. Anyone have any ideas to keep cats off counters? She is over 12 yrs old. HELP


  5 answers
  • Hi, Sharon!

    I have the same problem with two cats... One is constantly on the counter! When I catch her, I use a spray bottle with water to spritz her hoping that it will train her to stay off of the counter. It's an ongoing battle. The only other thing I can suggest is to keep the area free of food so that she may be less tempted to get up there. Hopefully someone else will have a better solution. I certainly feel your pain!

    • Sharon Sharon on Nov 24, 2019

      We've tried that, someone suggested using aluminum foil in strips around the whole counter and table also. Thank you for your suggestion. It is an ongoing battle.

  • Chloe Crabtree Chloe Crabtree on Nov 24, 2019

    Buy several cheap plastic placemats and cover one side of them with double-sided tape. Keep the placemats on your counters and tables when they aren't in use. Cats don't like sticky surfaces, so the goal is for your cat to jump up, feel a painless but uncomfortable sensation, and jump down.

  • Holly Lengner - Lost Mom Holly Lengner - Lost Mom on Nov 24, 2019

    Hi Sharon, I am not a cat owner, but found this site that I think can help you:

    https://www.thesprucepets.com/stop-counter-surfing-551798

  • Sharon Sharon on Nov 24, 2019

    Lots of good info

    Thank you!

  • Well it is interesting to see what others have to say. I have 6 cats and do not let mine on the counter either. They have the entire house and the only place off limits are the kitchen table and counters. But I started when I acquired them and when I used a certain tone, they knew I meant business. You need to be assertive and stern and be the alpha cat. Since the cat is now 12, my guess you have been too sing songy and not used a sharp tongue. They react to inflections in your dialogue. Instead of "get down kitty" you need to be a bit louder, curt and sharp. "GET DOWN KITTY!" Again a senior kitty at 12 you might just be fighting a losing battle since they were not trained from the get go. Give some of these suggestions a try and see what works for you. One of mine only wants to drink from a cup. So I have a plastic cup on my bathroom vanity for her. That way if it gets knocked over, it's not a big deal.