HTF do you stop a cat from getting up on countertops?

[lokiju]

I swear every time I turn my attention away for a few mins my damn cat will get up onto the kitchen counter and start licking at the water tap.

He's got all the fresh water he could want in his bowl, I just don't get it.

WTF can I do to stop him from doing it? He knows damn well he's not allowed up there since every time I've caught him he runs away as fast as he can and hides, yet he keeps doing it over and over again.

Anyone ever get a cat to stop getting up to areas they're not supposed to be?

 

[jdini76]

get a dog.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Cut off its legs. If fluffy can't jump, problem solved!

 

[thecoolnessrune]

fly paper...

 

[Al Neri]

get a dog ftw

 

[jhayx7]

If it gets too bad you can get a spray that you put on the counters, I guess they don't like the smell.

Better solution, they make water bowls that have a little fountain that keeps the water running and fresh. Our cat doesn't drink from the tap but she loves to get in the tub after you take a shower and lap up the puddles.

 

[Gibsons]

put water or wet songes/paper towels on the countertop. If your cat is anything like mine, he *hates* getting his feet (or anything) wet.

 

[Linflas]

Scatmats work wonders for that.

 

[j00fek]

get a squirt bottle and hit him every time they go up there

 

[torpid]

A) If your cat likes running water more, get him a pet fountain. The more your cat drinks, the healthier it will be. Most cats fed dry food do not get adequate water for long term health, because they are genetically used to getting more water from their food. This can lead to kidney stones and other urinary disorders.

B) Two sided sticky tape works for me.

C) Ssscat works for me as well.

 

[tfinch2]

Push it off. It'll get the idea sooner or later.

 

[Exterous]

Originally posted by: jhayx7
If it gets too bad you can get a spray that you put on the counters, I guess they don't like the smell.

Better solution, they make water bowls that have a little fountain that keeps the water running and fresh. Our cat doesn't drink from the tap but she loves to get in the tub after you take a shower and lap up the puddles.

We tried this with our cat and it didn't work. We finally reached a compromise - the cat could jump up on the bathroom counter and drink out of that tap but not on the kitchen. It's work pretty well so far

 

[d3n]

scat mat. Trouble with cats is they are smart so you'll have to leave it out most of the time. A bunch of spray bottles with vinegar in them work pretty well too. Jut have them in arms reach and the cat should learn.

 

[Feneant2]

Some cats will refuse to drink from their bowl.

Turn on the tap (dripping mind you, you're not trying to drown the cat) in the tub and place him in there to see if he will get used to it.

Personnally, I got my cat one of those water fountains mentionned above. She won't drink from the tap and won't drink from a regular bowl unless she is about to keel over from dehydration. At least now she drinks.

 

[Queasy]

Two suggestions I heard when I ended up with three cats was

1) spray them with a water gun every time they jump up on the counter
2) Put balloons up on the counter...when the balloons pop it scares them away and they learn not to jump up there.

1 didn't work and never tried 2.

 

[CollectiveUnconscious]

If he is jumping up there to lick the water tap, put something aversive (like lemon/lime juice) around the tap. Learned aversion FTW. Now, if that's not the only reason, it could get a bit trickier.

 

[Linflas]

Originally posted by: d3n
scat mat. Trouble with cats is they are smart so you'll have to leave it out most of the time. A bunch of spray bottles with vinegar in them work pretty well too. Jut have them in arms reach and the cat should learn.

We have so many scat mats I should own stock in the company. :Q

 

[EGGO]

Force field.

 

[lokiju]

Originally posted by: Gibsons
put water or wet songes/paper towels on the countertop. If your cat is anything like mine, he *hates* getting his feet (or anything) wet.

My cat is the complete opposite.

I've caught him in the bathroom sink covered head to toe soaking wet sitting there licking at a tap that was left on a little bit.

He actually likes water and doesn't mind at all getting wet, I've tried using a spray bottle to stop him from doing things and he doesn't care at all, you can actually directly spray him from inches away and he'll just keep doing whatever he's doing.

 

[Nohr]

He only wants to make you a cookie.

 

[Avalon]

Get a spray bottle and spray the cat. If that doesn't work, add vinegar and spray him in the eyes.

 

[torpid]

Spray bottles are useless unless you subscribe to "out of sight, out of mind" theory. The cat will just do it anyway when you aren't around. Furthermore the cat will come to fear you in certain circumstances. And lastly it will further increase their fear of water, if it works, which means if you ever have to bathe or clean the cat, you're in for a world of hurt.

 

[Gagabiji]

Easy, get rid of the countertops.

 

[d3n]

Originally posted by: torpid
Spray bottles are useless unless you subscribe to "out of sight, out of mind" theory. The cat will just do it anyway when you aren't around. Furthermore the cat will come to fear you in certain circumstances. And lastly it will further increase their fear of water, if it works, which means if you ever have to bathe or clean the cat, you're in for a world of hurt.

Speaking of which does hog tying a cat work?

 

[dug777]

Our kitty *loves* water.

Turn a tap on anywhere in the house and she's there

We've really just learnt to deal with it. If you're cooking you just pop her off and she gets the msg (or she gets up, but stays well away from what you are doing).

Jumping on the fishtanks is a whole other matter :|

DAMMIT KITTY! :heart: