[jblum8156]

I have 2 half-grown kittens who are now able to leap up on the kitchen counter. Does anyone have any suggestions about how to keep them off? Besides screaming at them.
Has anyone used that motion alarm gadget? Does it work?

[bkcunningham1]

I used the water gun method to keep my cats off the counters and from other unwanted behavior. It doesn't hurt them. I never let my cats see me as the source of the spray though. That's why I preferred a water gun over a spray bottle. A water gun is smaller and shoots further. I kept several secreted throughout my house. Didn't take long and worked like magic for me.

[Helene2008]

LOL....I love the water gun method...never thought of that. I used the spray bottle and it also worked...now I just have to shake the bottle if she is doing something wrong and she stops.

[KathieI]

Originally Posted by Helene2008

LOL....I love the water gun method...never thought of that. I used the spray bottle and it also worked...now I just have to shake the bottle if she is doing something wrong and she stops.

Helene, are you talking about your cat, or Bill?????? LOLOLOL.

[Helene2008]

LOL..........Kathie........that's not a bad idea, may have to try it on Bill.

[redwitch]

Another vote for the water gun. Only problem is it doesn't work when you're not home -- they'll merrily go where they want, when they want and how they want. You can stop them when you're away, but fuhgedaboutit when you're not. (At least you are under the illusion you are mistress of your home when you have some say so if they try when you're around.)

[l2ridehd]

Spray bottles plural. I set them around the house, all identical, show them it comes from me, and spray when ever they jump on a counter, table, etc. At this point I just have to set the bottle where they can see it and they will not jump up there.

[BlueHeronFan]

Stun gun. Plus it's fun to watch them spin on the fans.

Just kidding. Spray bottle for us. Only have to rattle the trigger now.

[bkcunningham1]

I think the philosophy (can't believe I'm posting a cat off the counter/spray gun vs water gun philosophy, but hey) of the hidden water gun is so the cats don't know when or where the water spray comes from. After a few weeks of my technique, the cats were never tempted to jump on the counters again. Water guns were holstered and not used on the kitties again. But whatever works.

[nanci2539]

I am not a fan of water guns because in my experience (I had five cats, now four) they do most of their activities at night - I know this because I see paw prints on the surface of my cook top stove!

What works is aluminum foil - cats don't like walking on this. Another great invention, IMHO is the scat mat! It emits static electicity and once a cat steps on it, they get a static shock. Trust me, one time and they will never to go an area you don't want them in. But you need to keep it on the counter until they get the hint. After than, clean plastic mats work because they think it's a mat.

I have a friend that bangs two bowls (tin) together to keep her cats off places. Now all she does it pick up the bowls if her cats jump on a chair she's trying to protect, etc. But again, what they do at night while we're sleeping is another story.

The motion alarms don't work for my cats; I'll see my calico laying in front of it! The onlly thing that works for me, like I write, are the scat mats.

[graciegirl]

I have found that it is best to have friends who have cats or who are not squeamish. You can shoot those little treasures with water until the cows come home and they are gonna do what they danged well please.

For those of you who had considered that I might be friend material and this whole conversation is making you shiver......well..........I...uh....wash their little paws three times a day?

[bkcunningham1]

My husband says the best solution to keeping cats off the counters is to not have cats.

Signed:

Former roommate of cats

[zcaveman]

Originally Posted by bkcunningham1

My husband says the best solution to keeping cats off the counters is to not have cats.

Signed:

Former roommate of cats

That is the only one that worked for us! After 25 years of cats - up to seven at one time - I weaned us down to zero and never had another problem. No counters - no spraying, no etc.

[K9-Lovers]

Tin foil works. You crumple it up gently and place it on the edge of the counter where your cat can see it from below. You have to keep it there for a few weeks. Then, move it further back so the cat cannot see it from below but encounters the foil once they jump up. Then, THEY ARE CURED! (until they find another high place to jump up).

Visitors may think you are a little wacky when they see all the tin foil all over your counters, buffets, etc., but it does work.

[uujudy]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I have found that it is best to have friends who have cats or who are not squeamish. You can shoot those little treasures with water until the cows come home and they are gonna do what they danged well please.

For those of you who had considered that I might be friend material and this whole conversation is making you shiver......well..........I...uh....wash their little paws three times a day?

Gracie, in our house whenever a stray cat hair found its way into someone's food (honest, folks; the hairs just float through the air!), we would assure everyone that cat hair is protein.

My naughty cat ( my avatar) is fascinated by my watercolor paints. There's something about the smell that he loves, and he'll lay his body across the wet palette if he's given the chance. I bought a kitchen island that I use to prepare food and do my painting. It's a cat-free zone. For some reason Baby Monroe can't jump up onto the island, but he has no trouble with the counter. I agree with the others who commented. You can squirt until you're soaked, but when you're away from the house they'll do whatever they want.