Can you train a kitten?

[julesrose]

We have two females (about 4 months old now) and they climb up on the table while we are eating. I expect not but is there anything I can do to teach them not to do this?

Say no very firmly as you pick them back off the table and put them on the floor. Do it now while they're young. And do it again and again and again every time they jump up. My youngest cat was a bugger for jumping on the kitchen worksurfaces and I did this with him and he never does now.

I agree with Claire.
Take them off everytime. Say no everytime.

Soon, they will sit on the chairs and tentatively put a paw on the table whilst watching you (and challenging your authority!

Say no firmly and they won't go on of their own accord.

Also, don't feed them whilst you're sitting at the table. Put any food from your plates for them in their food bowl.

My cat used to go on the table (and stick her head in the cereal bowl!) but after a while, she just used to sit on the spare chair whilst we ate (we didn't feed her when she was on the chair but she liked the company)

BTW - lucky you! I adore kittens

As others have said, keep putting them back on the floor. I also then give my cats something to eat on the floor, so they're rewarded for sitting nicely. They're 5 years old now, and not generally a nuisance.

Thanks for your advice. We will try to be persistent and consistent!

buy a small childs water pistol and give them a squirt when they get up. Or blow hard in their faces thats supposed to be like another cat hissing at them.

Don't squirt them inside your house - that won't help the decor. Try hissing instead - start off quiet and get slowly louder until they hear you and stop. That's how what mother cats do to naughty kittens and we stop foster cats plucking at upholstery by doing it.