How do we protect our food from our cat when it's cooling on the side?

[TiffanyAchingsHatFullofSky]

I have these round net things that protect the food from the flies.
But the cat stole a chicken jalfrezi and stained the carpet.
He's only 8 days out of abdominal surgery for eating a yo-yo string as well 🙄

So when excess food is cooling down on the side (say if DS is having his when he gets in) how do I protect it from the cat?

Shut the kitchen door, thats what I have to do with my naughty cat!

Put it in the grill section of the oven. Or in the oven if it is turned off

It sounds like a determined cat!

The only option might be to shut the doors to that room to keep the cat out. If you can't do that in the kitchen how about leaving it to cool in another room like the dining room?

Assuming you're open plan so cannot do the obvious and shut puss cat out then put it in the microwave. If he learns how to get it out of the microwave then you've lost the war and should probably just spoon feed him the jalfrezi.

Put it in the cold oven. I do that to cool meat down away from dogs.

Use trays / pots with kids or that other kids will cover, then put something heavy on top or an upside down bowl over the handle.

Either shut the cat out of the kitchen or pop the food in the microwave or oven.

*lids obv, but kids would work too

I have no advice but lol at the cat eating jalfrezi

That's excellent advice - putting it in the cold part of the oven. Thank you!

We do have an appointment open plan, yes!

The little tinker.

put it in the microwave

Appointment?!

Not sure how that slipped in there

Ours go in the microwave for protection against the cat. Far too much pilfering over the years!

@britnay

put it in the microwave

Isn't that a bit cruel to put the cat in the microwave ? 🤣

When we first got our twin kittens, they would try to climb on the worktops. A few squirts with a water pistol soon stopped them! Cat paws in the kitchen worktop is grim!

Microwave dish covers over plate ?

@Soontobe60

When we first got our twin kittens, they would try to climb on the worktops. A few squirts with a water pistol soon stopped them! Cat paws in the kitchen worktop is grim!

Unless you have a door that stops them going into the kitchen I garuntee they still do it when you're out the house. You just don't know because you don't see them, but trust me it happens.

Surely you need to invest some time in training for the longer term? How is it ok for them to be on the kitchen surface? And yes, I do have cats and have done all my life!

Stick it in the microwave.

I always put mine in the microwave.

Your cat sounds like mine! He's eaten a whole sock (which has to be surgically removed) as well as dish cloths and corners of tea towels, laces, sellotape etc etc... our only way to stop him is to keep him out of the kitchen in the living room. He's stolen meat cooking in a pan before, he's honesty loony!

Cold part of the oven, Microwave or a shelf in an upper press or in a saucepan with a lid on. The dish you give as an example does not need to be plated out in advance

I've never had a cat that climbs on the side or table or steals food sounds like I'm in the minority though

@headintheproverbial

Surely you need to invest some time in training for the longer term? How is it ok for them to be on the kitchen surface? And yes, I do have cats and have done all my life!

Invest in some training! lol

@headintheproverbial

Surely you need to invest some time in training for the longer term? How is it ok for them to be on the kitchen surface? And yes, I do have cats and have done all my life!

You do know they jump up there when you're not looking?

You just have to wipe up properly before you use surfaces, not after. That way you know it's clean.

As for the OP, microwave, oven or spare shelf in a cupboard if you have one.

If you put double sided tape on the top edges of the worktop this discourages jumping up. It's a pain for you because the tape is there but can work longer term as the cat learn its there.
thecatsite.com/c/how-to-keep-cats-off-counters-and-tables/