How to Train a Cat to Stay Off the Counter

Cats are popular pets but their natural instincts can sometimes lead to issues with their owners. One such issue is the cat's frequent desire to climb or jump to such heights as the kitchen counter. Because the counter is an area for food preparation, an animal's presence is not welcome. While it is a task that will required focused effort and a commitment to consistency, a cat can be trained to stay off the counter.

Things You'll Need

  • Cat
  • Climbing structure
  • Citrus or bleach
  • Noise makers
  • Empty cans
  • String
  • Pennies
  • Mouse traps
  • Aluminum foil or plastic wrap
  • Dish soap
  • Tape
  • Squirt bottle
  • Water
  • Cat treat
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Instructions

    • 1

      Clear your counters of anything that might appeal to the cat. Keep the butter dish in the refrigerator. Use the oven for cooling bacon or cookies. Thaw meat in the refrigerator. Remove all crumbs from the counter.

    • 2

      Give the cat a high place to climb to fulfill its natural climbing instinct. Always supply enough food and clean water to keep the cat from using the counter as its hunting grounds. Fulfill its needs for playing and socialization so the cat does not turn to counter climbing to relieve boredom.

    • 3

      Clean the counter with a citrus cleaner, a sliced lemon or bleach, all of which are deterrents.

    • 4

      Create a loud noise immediately every time your cat's feet touch the counter. A loud horn works well if you are home and willing to pay constant attention during the cat's training period. If you are not available, set up a trip wire or string along the edges of the counter. Attach the string to several aluminum cans, which should all fall and clatter when the cat jumps onto the counter. Another option is placing a few pennies in several empty cans and lining them up along the edges of the counter. Alternatively, place mousetraps upside-down or under newspaper. Kitchen utensils also can be lined up along the counter so that they fall with a bang as soon as the cat jumps onto the counter.

    • 5

      Squirt the cat with water as soon as it leaps onto the counter. Do not let the cat see that you are squirting it or it will make the connection between squirting and you, rather than squirting and the counter.

    • 6

      Make the counter an unappealing place by covering it with aluminum foil or plastic wrap, spreading it with dish soap or covering it with tape placed sticky side up. You also can shape pans out of aluminum foil, fill them with water, and line the counter with them.

    • 7

      Train the cat to jump off on command. When the cat is atop something high, show the cat a piece of food. Then give the command "off" and drop the food on the floor. This also works if the food is put on the end of a stick and moved from the cat's face to the floor when the "off" command is given.