How to Keep Cats Off Dining Room Tables

Keeping cats off dining room tables can be difficult. Many cats like to perch on top of tables. A dining room table is particularly attractive to many cats. If you have a lovely old antique dining room table or a brand new table you'd like to keep that way there are some tricks you can try to keep them down on the floor where they belong.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dining room table pad
• Water bottle
• Keys
• Noise maker

1. 
    
   Cat

   Start by watching your cat. You'll want to catch him in the act of jumping on the table or soon after he's perched there. You don't want catch him on the table after he's been sitting there for a while.

2. 
    
   Cat

   Next make sure that you have all necessary items to keep him away from the table at hand. Your first order of business should be to protect your table from the cat's claws. A cat jumping on a dining room table can easily scratch the surface of the table. If possible purchase a specially designed pad that protects the surface of the table. If you can't find out you can always craft one of your own from thick vinyl. Top the table with the vinyl to keep the cat off the table. Place a tablecloth on top of the vinyl to hid it from the cats and from diners.

3. 
    
   Cat

   Fill a water bottle up to the top water. Water makes and ideal cat deterrent. Most cats hate water. Once you see your cat attempting to climb on top of the dining room table whip out the spray bottle as quickly as you cat. Aim a spray of water at the cat's back. Use the water bottle lightly so as to avoid spraying any nearby rugs or furniture with water.

4. 
    
   Dining room table

   Attempt to startle the cat away from the dining room table. If water doesn't work well try a pair of keys. Each time you see the cat trying to get on top of the dining room table shake a pair of keys within a foot or two of the cat's ears. Many cats dislike loud noises and will quickly flee from the sound the keys.

5. Try a musical instrument. If the keys and water don't work try playing a musical instrument next to the cat once they climb on top of the dining room table. Shake a maraca at the cat. Toot a few notes on a flute. Bang a drum slowly. Keep this up every single time the cat starts to climb on the furniture. Many cats will start to associate the noise with the act of climbing on the dining room table.

Tips & Warnings

• Have family members participate with you. Have them help you catch the cat in the act of climbing on the dining room table.
• Do not use too much water or make too much noise.