Try the method that works best for your situation and/or that your cat responds to most positively. Apply sticky tape to the edge of the counter. Cats hate the feeling of sticky tape so, once they feel the tape on the edge of the counter, they'll likely be discouraged from jumping on it after one or two tries.
The simplest way to keep your cat off your counters is to give them another outlet for their normal climbing or jumping behavior. Both you and your cat will be happier when they have several approved places to jump and climb.
They Want to Find Food. It isn't by chance that the impulse to jump and climb is so strong. Cats in nature climb trees and jump to other high places to survey the land. This allows them to see the movement of rodents and other ground-level prey, as well as hide themselves in the high places that birds frequent.
Cats love to jump and explore. It's simply in their nature to get up high! In general, the best way to keep your cat off the countertop is to make sure they have access to alternate surfaces. If your kitty prefers the countertop to the cat tree, it may take some time to train them to redirect to another surface.
No. Here's the problem with spraying a cat with water: The only thing the cat learns is that when he sees the water bottle, it's time to run. “Run whenever you see this bottle” is not a particularly useful cue to teach, and running to escape punishment is not a positive way to interact with your cat.
But they're still using those paws in the litterbox, and walking around on them too, which raises the potential that they're picking up dangerous germs and bacteria and tracking them across your kitchen counters. You are putting yourself at risk by letting your cat walk the countertops.
Both the noise and the feel of aluminum foil underneath their paws will keep cats off the countertop. Just tape some strips of foil on the edges of your countertops.
Transforming a free-roaming cat into a safe cat can be done, but it does require planning, persistence and patience. The key is to make the change from outdoors to indoors gradually, until the new way of life becomes old hat. Many cats will adjust with minimal effort while others will be miserable and let you know it.
Cat Spikes Reliability and Effectiveness
Based on our analysis of thousands of product reviews from various retailers, the consensus is that most cat spike products are effective on approximately 50-60% of cats. The most commonly cited issue is that the spikes don't bother or deter cats.
Texture: Sticky paper, aluminum foil, heavy plastic or a plastic carpet runner (knubby side up) can be placed in areas you want to be off limits. Cats hate walking on these surfaces. Smell: Citronella, perfumes, solid air fresheners, citrus, aloe, eucalyptus oil and oil of wintergreen are all aversive smells to cats.
Bubble wrap This packing material with bubbles that pop is not something most cats want to walk on. Tape it onto the arms of chairs or counter tops or drape it over couches or beds. Water Cats typically avoid jumping or stepping into water.
Most cats don't like vinegar or citrus; you can try mixing citrus oil or apple cider vinegar with water and spray it on the areas you want your cat to avoid. You should, however, test the spray before coating your furniture to ensure it doesn't cause any spots or damage. Peppermint oil works, too.
If you catch your cat in the act of scratching an inappropriate object, you can try startling him by clapping your hands or squirting him with water. Use this procedure only as a last resort, because your cat may associate you with the startling event (clapping or squirting) and learn to fear you.
You can train your cat to scratch only in the areas you want to — yes, cats can be trained! You can try: Having scratching posts available: Get sturdy scratching posts and position them to protect your furniture. A post will keep your kitty occupied and let them satisfy their scratching urges.
Using negative reinforcement.
Yelling at, hitting, or otherwise harming or acting roughly toward a cat when they are doing something you don't want them to do doesn't work. The kitty won't understand the message you're trying to send about the behavior, but she will develop fear and stress directed toward you.
Spraying your cat with water can make her uncomfortable
Spano explained. “[So] equating the discomfort a human feels upon being spritzed with water to the discomfort a cat feels upon being spritzed with water is unfair and not rational.”