Why is my cat suddenly on the counter?

[neverknowingwhy]

We've had our cat a few years now. Never in all this time has he ever climbed on the kitchen counters or on our side table.

He goes all sorts of other places but I'm totally baffled why after so many years he's suddenly doing this.

Any thoughts on why? And any tips to stop him doing this?

One of ours has just started. The underfloor heating is on and the counter top is granite - perhaps its cooler?

Pet Behave Spray from Amazon is brilliant though. Its citrus and safe on the surfaces.

One of my cats started doing this when they were about 6 years old. A few sprays of water sorted it.

Hmmm @WaningGibbous that's interesting... our house is very warm so maybe he is trying to cool down although he usually likes the warmth!
I've got some of the Get Off cat stuff but I can't stand the smell so hesitant to spray.

Cats are weird

Our cat didn't leave the kitchen for 2 years after we moved into this house, and never went upstairs once, ever, in his entire life.

Sorry, just realised that my point sounds entirely unrelated to your thread! Maybe he's just decided that he is a counter top cat (at least for a while?)

OP - I think you may have made an incorrect assumption. He's probably always been on the kitchen tops but is just getting on a bit so isn't quick enough to get off now before you notice him.

Has your cat had a recent fright or stress, eg someone standing on his tail on the kitchen floor, or a stray cat coming in the flap at night and fighting?
Cats like to be high up for security - they can survey the territory and attack downwards. Wanting to be up on the worktop might just be a protective response.

How do you know it's the first time?I very rarely catch ours on the counter but it isn't fairies that steal sausages or eat the butter.

@Grumpyoldpersonwithcats 😂 I've had my suspicions!

@Babdoc very interesting, he's been unsettled recently for a few reasons so that could be part of it. Also just realised the hoover is in there atm and he's terrified of so maybe trying to get away from it. Usually he just sprays on stuff he doesnt like 🙄 but I'll move it in case that's why!

Thanks for all the responses! I feel like you've given me a bit better insight into why he might be doing this.

They do like to be high up,when we have deliveries or lots of noise one of my cats curls up in the wooden salad bowl on the top of the kitchen wall cupboards.