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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think I can train my cat not to climb on the kitchen workbenches?

57 replies

schooldisco · 05/02/2015 20:31

We have a 5 month old kitten. Every time she jumps up on the kitchen worktops we solemnly say "no" and if she doesn't get down straight away we pick her up and put her down on the floor.

Will this sink in eventually or am I on a hiding to nowhere?

OP posts:
Pixel · 05/02/2015 21:23

Mine never goes on the work surfaces. He has no interest in it because there is nothing there for him. His food is all in the bottom cupboard and he will sit on the floor there pretending he is starving to death.
Probably I'm just lucky he isn't that sort of cat (although we did tell him no to kitchen worktops when he was a kitten) as he doesn't even sit on windowsills. He climbs a lot when he's outside but the only thing he's ever climbed indoors was when dd had a cabin bed and he used to sit on it and growl at the postman through the window. I think he is a little confused Confused.

NorksAreMessy · 05/02/2015 21:26

Hahahahahahahahahaha
He hahahahahahahahahaha
Hahahahahahahahahaha he

Train a cat?

Hahahahahahahahahaha

No

MouseInTheSkirting · 05/02/2015 21:27

Ha ha! Good luck with that. I'm still picking the cat up off the worktop and saying 'no.' My cat just rolls his eyes and jumps straight back up. He's 17 now.

CupidStuntSurvivor · 05/02/2015 21:27

Cats will happily go on worktops, and everything else for that matter, if there's nobody there to stop them. 'Trained' or not.

TalkinPeace · 05/02/2015 21:31

plant sprayer set to jet
squirt her on the side every time she goes somewhere that is barred : worktops, tables etc
and do not say "no" it means nothing to a cat
hiss at her as you sweep her or squirt her off

she'll learn and you'll be able to rely on never catching her on the counter Grin

scotchmincepie · 05/02/2015 21:32

Mine rarely gets on the work surface. He sits on the table and paw prints left as evidence. Nut a firm no did it for the work surfaces. The sink is fair game obvs.

oneflewoutofthecrazynest · 05/02/2015 21:35

Another vote for water sprayer set to jet! Every time they jump on the work top you spray, every time they get ready to jump up you spray. My cat just needs to see the sprayer and she is off, bloody hates it, worked a treat Grin

BigChocFrenzy · 05/02/2015 21:40

Hahahahaha, but don't worry: she'll soon train you not to mind

AIBU to think I can train my cat not to climb on the kitchen workbenches?
kittyvet · 05/02/2015 21:40

It's entirely possible to train cats... Mine sits, begs and spins round on command. However as a training tool punishment doesn't work- which includes most of the methods here. Regarding worktops- impossible to prevent when you not there so give in and get out the anti-back spray!

Showy · 05/02/2015 21:47

My Mum swore hers were trained not to jump on the counters. So we put down a fine sprinkling of flour and went out.

You can guess the rest.

You can stop them doing it when you are there. That is it.

PeaceOfWildThings · 05/02/2015 21:48

You can train a cat...by keeping them on the other side of the closed kitchen door (that should be where everything they need is) and never letting them in the kitchen. Except to wash them in the kitchen sink. Then they don't want to go into the horrible torture chamber kitchen.

Your cat has already jumped up on the kitchen counter more than once, so you have already lost the battle and your cat is indeed laughing up her furry sleeve at you. Grin

Oldraver · 05/02/2015 22:00

The cat will train you to think you have trained her not to climb

Then when your back is turned you will come in to find her licking the butter

Delphine31 · 05/02/2015 22:09

Haha, Oldraver , quite right.

Our cat never went on the surfaces in the kitchen. Oh, apart from the time we came home and surprised her. She was standing on the kitchen table licking the butter. We did wonder if this was a regular thing and we'd just never caught her out before.

But in eighteen years that was literally the only time she was spotted on the worksurfaces/table. Surely we would have seen her trespassing more often if she made a habit of it?

Sazzle41 · 05/02/2015 22:09

Our cat never showed interest in worktops but she was fed in the utility room and was never played with or given attention in the kitchen, so anything interesting and any attention was to be gained in the lounge or bedrooms : where we built her little nap stations with old towels so as not to ruin duvets with hair etc. Cats are clever , she soon learned an old towel folded up made a comfy cat napping station rather than the rest of the freshly washed duvet. (my OCD mothers solution to cat hair containment)

murmuration · 05/02/2015 22:13

We did this for a while... When my cats were kittens there happened to be a mirror such that I could see into the kitchen from a side room. I believe they thought I was omniscient and so I avoided the only-when-there issue. But then we moved and it took probably a good 4 years for them to figure out I couldn't tell anymore (evidenced by the tell-tale thump-thump as I approach, and the occasional eaten bread-loaf).

flashheartscanoe · 05/02/2015 22:14

I work at my kitchen table- I sprayed the cat with water every time he jumped on the table for about a month- then I gave up because it didnt work.

Now he drinks from my cup of tea and I go and get myself another.

chickydoo · 05/02/2015 22:15

I've trying to train mine not to jump on the work tops for 8 years!

mineofuselessinformation · 05/02/2015 22:18

You will never know, even if you think you've trained them....
I've had my mog for four years now, and it's only recently I've caught him sleeping in the dish drainer trying it on. Grin

MrsMinton · 05/02/2015 22:19

Just wipe the worktop each time you want to use it. Cats are sponsored by anti bac wipe manufacturers I'm sure of it!!!!

AuntFlossy · 05/02/2015 22:24

Keep at it. We did with our cat and she would never go on the work surfaces!

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 05/02/2015 22:27

Our cat never ever walked on the worktops

until I was eye level to them and saw a near invisible set of tiny little paw marks across the top.

stealthsquiggle · 05/02/2015 22:29

Absolutely you can train her not to jump up.

When you're looking.

apostropheuse · 05/02/2015 22:32

In the great Mumsnet tradition I asked my two cats for their opinions on this.

Phoebe's response Wink
Willow's response Grin

So, basically YABU. Anti-bac spray is your best friend.

ladybird69 · 05/02/2015 22:40

As a loving cat owner of over a dozen cats over the years! You cannot train a cat. If you've never caught your cat on your worktops it's because they're clever and don't get caught! (Unlike dozy dogs). I've had Angels that I've boasted about, that have been caught out in the end! Just give in and enjoy being ruled by your fluffball.

Tobyjugg · 05/02/2015 22:52

If you can crack how to train cats, the world will beat a path to your door and you will become VERY rich.

I wouldn't hold my breath though.