
It can be tricky and it might take several months of treating good behavior, but your cat will eventually understand that it’s to her benefit to stay off the countertops. Timing is critical or you will inadvertently reward your cat for climbing on the counter. When you sense your cat is preparing to make his assent to the counter, quickly distract him with a treat or toy. My cats love things like chicken or salmon, other cats might be more likely to behave for sardines or a favorite toy. Always put food away when you are not in the kitchen.Ĭats can be just as responsive to treats as dogs are, but it’s critical you find the most appealing. Treats and Toys Leaving tempting food items out on the counter is a good way to ensure your cat will get up on it. The idea is that is you need to make a different area more appealing to your cat. This could include access a cat tower, bar stool, wall shelf or window perch that she can use to look down on you while you using the counter. If you want your cat off the counter, you’re going to need to provide an appealing alternative to them. Remember that cats like to observe from elevated surfaces, hence the counters-they are up high (which allows your cat to safely watch her territory), they are fun to walk on (and there are often papers there that they can sit on), and the counter is used for cooking (which means they can usually find food). The next easiest way to keep your cats off countertops is to give them an alternative. The good news is we were able to curb both her and the cats’ behavior simply by feeding the cats in a room the dogs couldn’t access. Don’t ask your cats to do something that you will eventually not want them to do. I asked why she would enforce the behavior she doesn’t want and she replied that her dogs got into the cat food, so there was no choice. I once had a friend who complained about her cats on the counters, but then fed her cats on them. Don’t Feed Your Cat on the Counter If you find your cat on the counter, remove her quickly and do not pet her as you pick her up or put her down you don’t want to inadvertently reward the behavior. Read more about our unique Cat Training course. Fortunately, there are simple ways to keep your cats off of the counters. It’s an annoying habit for those of us who enjoy cooking or using the countertop as a dining area.

One of the more common complaints I hear from owners is how their cats won’t stay off the countertops.

No one likes to find cat hair in their food. Traditional Classroom Environment in Los Angeles California.
