No, your cat is not to far gone to train. Firstly, Make sure that your cat has other places to climb so that the countertop is not his only vertical challenge. Climbing frames positioned by a window, providing a perch with a view, may divert some attention from the counters. Make sure that your counters never have food items lying around on them. Always clean up properly by putting unused food away. Cats, generally, do not like the smell of citrus or disinfectants. Try using a countertop cleaner with a citrus odor or wash the countertops down with Pinesol after use.
Various booby traps have been invented to deter cats from counter surfing. Some of these deterrents include putting cling film or aluminum foil over the countertop, making a shallow tray out of aluminum foil and filling it with water, various springing devices (upside-down mousetraps or proprietary plastic jumping frogs), or attaching a black thread "trip wire" across the access to the counter and attaching it to a nearby pile of shake cans. More severe punishers such as sounding an air horn (boat horn/fog horn) at exactly the moment the cat's feet touch the countertop. You should hide when doing this. The idea is that the cat thinks that the counter made the noise, not you. Some people have resorted to electric shock pads that give the cat a mild shock when he jumps on the counter tough these can cause considerable distress to some cats.
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Submitted 422 days ago...
How can I train a one year old cat to stop jumping up on my counters & kitchen table?
She has recently moved into our home with our adult daughter who never disciplined her consistantly before this. We've tried spraying her with water & sneak attack spraying her with vinegar in water, it doesn't matter. As soon as we leave the room she jumps back up there searching for a morsel left lying around. My daughter feeds her very little as she doesn't want her to become 'fat'. Is this a lost cause? Am I just doomed to be daily nauseated at the sight/thought of this filthy animal on my kitchen surfaces? Is she too far gone to train now? I hope not, I may have to move.
Well my cat did the same thing so evertime he got on the counter we pused him off and very soon he leaned his lesson
Try putting a bit of lemon juice or a slice fo lemon in the pray bottle, cause it irritates the cats.
My mom and dad did this to my cat and it took only one time sounds cruel but it worked take card board and put staples thru it alot put it staple side up so it looks like a nail bed ..when he jumps up it will take only one time to learn its not a good place trust me mine did
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Answer 5 / 5 - Submitted 114 days ago...
Hi, I'm not an expert, but I have several suggestions that have worked for me & my cats in similar situations:
1 - use a squirt gun & spray him with water (not in his eyes) when he gets up on counters or places he shouldn't be. It doesn't hurt, & can keep him away from potentially dangerous situations, but it is a negative reinforcement.
2 - he may be bored, lonely &/or have alot of pent up energy. Try & give him at least a solid15 minutes of play with interactive toys (string, etc.) that will help tire him out before bedtime. Since he's still a relative youngster, the more playtime the better.
3 - is there a room he can stay in at night with his own comfy cat bed? If so, give him a 'treat' (small bit of canned food, etc.) only in this room at bedtime after his play. pet him & take him to his treat - make it a good thing rather than a punishment he dreads. Don't put him in this room until you're ready to go to bed, because if he hears you, he'll probably start yeowling to get out.
4- he may be wanting more attention from you - & this seems a good way to get it, even if its negative attention. If so, try to give him more cuddle time each day & again, more play & activity to tire him out when its time to go to bed.
Good Luck!
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