It can be frustrating to have to deal with a cat jumping on kitchen countertops and other surfaces you don't want it to go to - the living room table, nightstands, and so on. This is a behavioral problem typical of many domestic cats; however, there are ways to discourage him from making this habit. You should follow a method that involves committing to three factors: teaching your cat that cabinets are off-limits to him, offering him viable alternatives that satisfy his instinct to jump, and making kitchen surfaces less appealing to him.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Using Environmental Punishment
Step 1. Create one yourself
This technique, also called "distance correction", involves educating the cat without having to be present, so that it does not understand that the punishment is coming from you. If you scold him for jumping on off-limits surfaces, he just learns that he can't do it when you're home. Instead, you can set up devices to teach him certain behaviors, regardless of your presence; however, avoid creating tools that can harm him.
Step 2. Place some parchment paper on the edges of the kitchen counter
This simple trick is effective because when the cat jumps on the shelf, it will land on the sheet. The impact noise and unexpected movement will frighten him, without causing any physical harm. Over time, he will associate the kitchen counter with noise and related stress and avoid jumping on it.
You could also add some water and leave it on the counter; he will not only be frightened by the noise, but also by the water itself. The disadvantage in this case is that the cat could slip into the water; therefore, if he is a little old or not particularly agile, he could be injured. In this case it is better to avoid using this method
Step 3. Create a noisy trap
Stretch a string along the doorway through which the cat usually climbs the counter. Attach one end of the string to empty cans that can easily tip over. If you place the trap in the right position, the cat will move the rope just enough to knock the cans down, making enough noise to scare him and cause him not to try again in the future.
If you want the noise to scare him even more, add some coins or other small items to the cans
Step 4. Put double-sided tape on surfaces where the cat should not walk
You can simply attach it in a couple of places to hold it in place; when the cat walks on it, the sticker will stick to its paws and the cat will no longer be tempted to repeat the experience. Sticky objects easily distract and annoy cats; double-sided tape could therefore be an effective solution.
Also try putting aluminum foil on the surfaces; the noise they make when the cat passes over them should convince him not to try again
Step 5. Buy specific devices to scare the animal and put them on the mobile
The purpose of these objects is to frighten the cat with the loud noise they cause, with an unexpected movement or with double-sided tape. There are several different models and types of deterrents, so do some research to figure out what works best for your specific case.
- Devices that emit motion-activated airflow are an example of electronic tools that dissuade your cat from climbing onto shelves, furniture, or entering other areas. The motion sensor detects the presence of the cat in an "off-limits" area, immediately frightening it with a strong blow of air.
- Another effective device is a motion activated alarm that can prevent the animal from reaching the counter. In this case, the sensor activates an audible alarm that scares him and at the same time warns the owner that the cat has reached an area that is forbidden to him. Some of these tools are pressure sensitive and are activated when the cat touches or walks on them. There are also pressure-sensitive mats that you can lay on the surface and that are activated when the cat jumps on them.
- Silent deterrents that activate with movement are a less annoying alternative than those that trigger an alarm. They are devices that emit an imperceptible ultrasound to humans and dogs, but which disturbs cats.
- Machined surface mats are harmless deterrents that do not require electricity, batteries or compressed air. The upper part is covered with slightly pointed protrusions that annoy the cat's paws; put them on the surfaces of the shelves and you will see that the cat will not want to walk on them.
Step 6. Play a trumpet yourself
Hide from the cat's sight and use a trumpet of any kind as soon as you notice the cat jumps on the counter. There are many models to choose from and some are made specifically for this purpose.
- A whirlwind can be an effective way to scare your cat enough to stop it from reaching off limits if you can catch it red-handed and stay hidden. You just have to make sure that the instrument you choose is not too loud to cause hearing damage to your little furry friend.
- Some manufacturers have made an air horn that makes a noise when you activate it, but at the same time sprays a pheromone that discourages the cat from repeating the unwanted behavior.
Part 2 of 3: Providing Alternatives
Step 1. Provide him with alternatives to satisfy his natural instinct to climb and jump
For example, cats cannot resist what veterinarians call "vertical challenges"; if they find other objects to jump on, they will be less enticed to climb onto the kitchen counter.
Step 2. Place vertical furniture near the windows
Scratching posts or other similar items provide your cat with a place to climb, perch, and monitor the surrounding environment. By keeping them close to the windows, you offer your cat a place from which he can see natural prey, thus satisfying his curiosity and stimulating him to the point that he no longer wants to climb onto shelves or other surfaces in the house.
Step 3. Install a cat shelf
This is a padded shelf attached to the inner window sill. Like the scratching post and other specific structures for cats, this accessory also satisfies the animal's curiosity and at the same time keeps its interest alive; choose a window with good sun exposure, as this animal enjoys basking in the sun's rays. This shelf is an alternative place where he can sleep and / or from which he can observe what is happening outside, in order to distract himself from the desire to jump on the kitchen shelves.
Step 4. Also offer him a series of games to spend time on the floor with
Choose toys that can drain her energy so she is less likely to jump on furniture. If you can divert his attention to the toys just enough to keep him on the floor, you can make him lose interest at the counter. Replace the toys from time to time to give him new stimuli, so he doesn't get bored and doesn't resume his old habit of climbing on the cabinets.
- Many cats enjoy simple toys, such as fake mice that you can pull across the room for them to chase - they may even bring them back.
- Inevitably, some cats ignore expensive toys and instead play with plain empty plastic bags, boxes, laundry baskets, and so on. Try out different items and see which one they prefer before spending too much money on an expensive toy.
- Nowadays there are electronic products on sale, for example mice that run on a track or others with wheels that can move on their own on carpet or other floors. Other models are equipped with LED lights and additional technologies; all these toys can be very stimulating for the cat and make him forget the desire to climb on the kitchen surfaces.
Step 5. Provide your cat with a variety of "beds" in the hottest, sunniest spots in the house
These little cats especially love places where they can take refuge and "hide away"; they sleep 16-20 hours a day, which is a lot of time they aren't interested in climbing furniture. If you offer him particularly pleasant places to sleep, encourage him to frequent them instead of kitchen countertops; by doing so, you also invite him to make the most of the "siesta" time, rather than looking for new stimuli for the home - such as the cabinets.
Step 6. Place the cat in another room while you are cooking
This way, he is not attracted to the smell of the food. His sense of smell is 40 times stronger than that of humans; he can sense that you are cooking and you could stimulate his curiosity when you are not around, with the risk that he could jump on the counter where the perfume is coming from.
- Cats can have a hard time controlling their curiosity and jumping on the counter even if you are present and actually cooking. Putting him in another room while preparing meals can dampen his curiosity and prevent him from jumping on the cabinet.
- Be sure to provide him with a toy and a comfortable place to sleep while you work in the kitchen or prepare food so that he is active and comfortable at the same time.
- However, the technique of keeping the cat in another room while you cook does not work with all cats; So you don't have to be surprised if your one meows and whines when locked up elsewhere. If this happens, don't leave him alone for too long, otherwise he could get stressed out.
Part 3 of 3: Making the Shelves Less Appealing
Step 1. Do not keep food on the kitchen counter, so as not to tempt the cat
As already mentioned, cats have a strong sense of smell; therefore, if you leave food scraps on the cabinet, you could induce your little friend to eat any leftovers, residues or spills that you have forgotten, as well as tempt him to gnaw or bite the food you have placed on the surface. If you need to store food on the kitchen counter, place them in airtight containers that the cat cannot open by tearing or biting them.
Step 2. Clean kitchen surfaces often
In this way, you eliminate food odors; It is particularly useful to use a disinfectant product to eliminate odors that could attract the cat, while ensuring that the work base is clean and sanitized.
Choose cleaners or disinfectants that contain mostly fragrances such as citrus, aloe, eucalyptus or Canadian tea, as these are scents that discourage cats; in fact, many perfumes create the same effect
Step 3. Consider giving him more food
Perhaps he tends to go up on the kitchen counter in search of food because he is hungry. You can tell if it's your cat's problem by simply offering him a little more food than usual; if you give up this habit, you have solved the problem. However, be aware that some individuals tend to overeat; in this case, even if you give your furry friend more food, he may still continue to climb on the cabinet. Be prepared for this possibility and try to give him some extra food to reduce his forays on kitchen surfaces.
- If you haven't done so yet, have a bowl of kibble available so that he can eat whenever he wants. Many cats like to "nibble", meaning they prefer to eat small amounts of food throughout the day rather than having designated meal times during which they eat larger portions. If your little feline also likes to nibble, make sure you always leave a bowl with kibble available, making sure not to exceed the recommended quantities shown on the package and provided daily (unless your vet gives you different instructions). You can also choose to give him small portions on multiple occasions throughout the day if it's convenient for you, but remember that the purpose is to give him enough food to keep him from looking for him on the kitchen counter.
- If you change your regular diet, check your habits and monitor your weight to avoid becoming obese.
Step 4. Don't keep items your cat likes to play with on the kitchen counter
If you leave their toys or other objects that they are particularly attracted to on the furniture, the animal is tempted to jump on surfaces to get them. Remember that he doesn't like to be distracted only with his toys; he may be attracted to objects such as keys, pens, lip balm tubes and paper.
Don't forget that you shouldn't store his toys near the counter, for example, near a wall unit; if the animal sees you as you put it there, it is more likely to jump onto the shelf to get the item
Step 5. Keep the windows near the kitchen counter covered
Make sure you close any curtains or window shutters that your cat can access by climbing onto the counter. Cats like to look out the window to see birds, squirrels, and other wildlife, and may jump onto the shelf to look out over the next one. This is why it is a good idea to install a scratching post or cat shelf to allow your cat to look outside (see method 2).
Step 6. Clean the kitchen counter with a lemon furniture product or lemon oil
Cats hate the smell of this fruit, so this remedy should work.
Warnings
- Never use environmental punishment on a cat who is strangely anxious, as they may be too scared to move around the house normally.
- Never hit a cat or scold it to prevent it from climbing onto the kitchen counter; the animal is unable to relate punishment to behavior and the only thing it learns is to be afraid of you.
