How to keep the bastard cats off the kitchen worktop

[alltalknobaby]

I have 2 -bastard- cats. They know they are not allowed on the kitchen work tops. I can never actually catch them up there because they jump down when they hear me coming. But I constantly hear them jumping down and they leave fur and paw prints everywhere. Ugh. It makes me so angry - it seriously grosses me out plus I have a small baby so hygiene is even more important than normal. I am getting through industrial amounts of spray cleaner.

Any suggestions please?! They're driving me bonkers... I love them but I hate this habit.

[Justmadeperfectflapjacks]

Water spray. Camp out under the table and soak the fuckers. .

[scurryfunge]

Other than keeping them out of that particular room, I've never been successful and am used to wiping everything down.

[BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack]

Simple answer, you can't. Mine try and get away with it, I just put them down as soon as I see them, that's all you can do really. I don't like it either but that's cats for you .

[Anditstartsagain]

Remove the worktop. I've never managed to stop mine but I use the detol 3 in 1 spray before I use the work top makes me feel better.

[mistermagpie]

You can't. I have just resigned myself to spending a lot of money on anti-bacterial spray and using it before I prepare food.

[Fruitcocktail6]

I just clean the counters as often as possibly. The stupid one I always catch and shout at her, the other is sneaky like yours, but I hear the thud when she jumps down.

[HeyMacWey]

Try covering your worktops with loose tin foil.
The noise it makes when they land on it might scare them into not doing it again.

(mine are scared of tinfoil so this works a treat).

[RandomUsernameHere]

Try leaving orange peel out on the worktop, they hate the smell

[Want2beme]

Do they have anything else that's up high? A cat tree that they can lie on. They love to be up high and looking down on us.

m.zooplus.ie/shop/cats/scratching_posts/small/small_cat_trees_height_100_cm/279794?gclid=CL2TjLL-qdQCFU-37QodKLkMEQ

[phoenixtherabbit]

If you find out please tell me. Mine are wise to it too. I know they do it when I'm not here but I can't catch them. I just anti bac constantly.

[Toddlerteaplease]

Mine have never jumped on the worktops. They can't climb. Feeling smug and totally not helpful.

[alltalknobaby]

Thanks everyone. I did consider tinfoil. Didn't know about orange peel. Will give both of those a go.

They are probably reading this and already one step ahead. Bastards.

[Jamon]

Remove the worktop 😂

Spray them with water every single time. It works a treat!!

[GriefLeavesItsMark]

Grief cat likes to sit in front of the microwave (it is over his treats cupboard). He knows he isn't allowed on kitchen surfaces, but doesn't care.

[GingerHanna]

I always clapped loudly and shouted 'OFF'. Worked well and cats rarely try it on. They rule the house in every other way. This is the single only thing I have won on as I hate cats on worktops.

[kel1234]

Impossible. I wipe down the surfaces every morning, and if I know he's been in there on his own.

[SweetChickadee]

Only one can manage it - and he only does it when we're not there.

like others I just assume he's been up there dancing the fandango and de-cat it before any food prep

[Fluffycloudland77]

I just wipe before I cook. I pick my battles.

[bltglark22]

I just clean before cooking! Worse I came home early the other day to find my dog tucked up in my bed! (She's not allowed upstairs). They all must wait for us to go and party!

[ilovewelshrarebit123]

A cat lady from the rescue where Ivy cat came from said knives and forks along the edge frightens them when they knock them off.

Not sure it works though 🤔

[alltalknobaby]

Dog in bed! 😂 Also 😂 at remove the worktop. Sometimes I feel like it!

I can't spray them as I can't catch them up there. I did at a previous house as it had a quieter approach to the kitchen, but it just made them run away quicker. Have also tried shouting and clapping. They laugh in my face from a safe distance.

[YesItsMeIDontCare]

Empty cans. Line them up close enough to the edge, but out of the cats' sight iyswim. The clatter when they jump up will startle them enough to stop doing it. It took two nights with Leroy.

[Ollivander84]

Mine has tried it once. 28 years of owning horses and I have a voice for misbehaving ones complete with growl came in very handy cat wise. He skulked off to his bedroom for a few hours after that

[QueenofEsgaroth]

I have considered setting up the baby monitor in the kitchen so I can spy on the camera and yell from the other room but as mentioned bastard cat probably thought of that already.

[Checklist]

I just never put food on the worktops - all food goes on chopping boards (stored vertically) for preparation!