How can I stop my cats being on the worktop?!

[doingitforthefrill]

One thing I cannot stand and it’s cats climbing up the kitchen work top. We’ve got 2 and had them both from kittens, they know they aren’t allowed on the worktops as they soon jump off. I’ve tried everything I can think off but they just don’t care!

I even sprayed the worktops with the anti cat spray that worked to keep them off my sofas, but they are just not bothered. I’ve used a spray bottle of water, still not bothered.

HELP!

There's a thread on this a few below yours
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/the_litter_tray/4052869-Has-anyone-managed-to-train-cats-to-stay-off-the-kitchen-counter

Looks like you're gonna have to get used to it

@IDontMindMarmite oh thanks! Don’t know how I missed that!

You need to provide a higher up easily accessible perch like a cat tree. Worktops are the highest flat surface aren’t they and all the cats instincts tell it to climb up and survey the area.

I've not even tried with the current cat. Just accept his paws will be all over

We only ever prepare food on a chopping/ bread board anyway and give the surface a quick wipe beforehand

He does leave paw prints on the glass job and has been known to turn off a pan

You need to instruct them firmly to get on the worktops - being cats they will definitely refuse

Seriously, with my two I kept a water gun in the kitchen and they soon learnt to at least not do it when I'm there.

Goodluck! Even if they stick to no counters while you're there, you can bet they'll be up there when you're out of the room!

@Fluffycloudland77 yes I did have a friend suggest that a while ago so we did purchase one but they still prefer the worktop for some reason!

Is it taller than the worktops and sturdy enough to not wobble when they climb it?.

Yes to both, so I’m not sure why they won’t use it I’ve even tried it in different places and near the worktop, but then they just use that to climb to get onto the worktop easier

You can’t. Cats will do whatever they want to do 🤷🏻‍♀️

Yes, I did think that would be the answer. I remember having cats when we’re were growing
up and they knew they weren’t allowed in the worktops and never tried their luck..

I managed to keep them off my sofa fine, so I was hoping I could do the same with the worktops. Wishful thinking!

Cats hate citrus. Try cleaning with lemony cleaning products.

Keep the kitchen door shut.

Yes I’ve tried citrus things, also the anti cat spray which is meant to keep them off things.

Also not as easy to just shut a door, as my house is open plan!

I have the same problem, I'm resigned to it now!

I wouldn’t even mind so much if they’d just stay off them during the day so I’m not forever wiping them down and then used them at night, but that’s probably too much to ask for

If you WANT a cat to do something - guaranteed it won’t do it. The minute you DONT want it to do something - the cat will do just that.

Or live with it. The cat is quite rightly the boss. They only allow humans to co habit as we are useful at opening tins and packets. It’s the opposable thumbs that swung it for us.