How to Stop Your Cat From Jumping On The Counter

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By shawnee50
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Just a few kittens at the zoo!

This is very easy to train your cat to stay off the counter but very repetitious. Your cat naturally wants on your counter to get a drink or because they like a high place. Counters are the favorite because food also goes up there. Cats are harder to train than a dog but you can train them. I will show you a few steps to help keep your Cat or kitten off the kitchen counters.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Spray Bottle
Cat Treats

Step 1

Make sure they are always fed on the floor never on the counter!
Start by just telling them no firmly and taking them off the kitchen counter. You will need to do this over and over. Continue to do this for two days. I know this is going to be the hardest part because if you do not do it every time your cat or kitten gets on the counter your cat will not learn. It is all repetition that teaches your cat and it is very tedious for you. If this has no effect on your cat or kitten you will have to try the next step.
Step 2

Mom and cubs at the zoo!

You can try to teach them with a treat but this encourages begging and I’m not fond of constant beggars. But it can work, you train the cat like you would a dog. It will take longer than it would a dog. Tell the cat no get down then show the treat and let your cat follow it to the floor and put the treat in their bowl. You will need to do this over and over till the cat stops getting on your counter. If this seems to work great but if not continue to next step.
Step 3

Now for a step your cat or kitten is going to hate but nine times out of ten it works. You need to go to the local store and buy a spray bottle. When your cat gets up on the counter you will say no just like before, but this time you will spray them in the face or head. If they haven’t already jumped down put them on the floor and repeat no down very firmly. Most cats already ran away to lick themselves dry because they don’t like being wet. Continue to do this constantly just keep your patience. Please do not soak the kitten or cat they don’t like water so a little goes a long way. Your cat will learn, some just take longer than others. Unless you have a cat that likes water I have never seen one but I have heard of one that liked the shower.
Step 4

They also have shock mats and other electric products like theses but I don’t like them. Plus if you have children in your house they can get shocked also. Now that is something no one wants, so if you don’t want it for your child why would you want it for your pet. With patience and firmness you can do it and don’t forget the love. We don’t want to scare you kitten or cat we want them to learn with firmness and love.

Comments

shawnee50 said

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on 12/1/2009 peetytooty You can try putting aluminum foil on the counter. Cats don't like the fell of the foil under their feet. I hope this helps.

peetytooty said

on 11/29/2009 My kitten continuously jumps on the counter. I have tried both steps 2 and 3 for a few weeks. And neither has worked. I started adding "time out" in the bathroom for 10 minutes, along with a firm voice and a squirt bottle. After he comes out of the bathroom, within a few minutes he tries jumping on the counter again. I am at my wits end! Any other suggestions besides shocking?

Alrady said

on 7/31/2009 great instructions. I had no idea you could do this sucessfully!

tracysmith159 said

on 5/28/2009 Good article on how to stop your cat from jumping on the counter. I agree with step 4. I wouldn't shock my kids or my pets! 5* and a rec. too.

slphilbrick said

on 3/28/2009 Sadly, my cat is not afraid of water.....he doesn't like it, but it winds him up (like catnip), so I can't use this particular technique. Hope it works for others out there though ! Saying "no" firmly does help, but he's rather insistent. It's his counter top, you know. :-)