Anyone who has a cat in their home is familiar with the felid desire to get on your kitchen countertop . If you ’re wondering how to keep true cat off rejoinder , there are several options to keep your counters cat - destitute .
Use Repellants
There are many options to disgust cats and keep them away from counters .
Odor-Based Repellants
Using cleaners or substantive oils thatsmell like citruscan work for some Arabian tea . Essential oilssuch as stinker , waste orange , lilac-colored , lemongrass , lime , Eucalyptus amygdalina , and eucalyptus can be used to deter African tea by dilute a diminutive amount in water ( one drop of oil per 50 drops of water at a uttermost ) . You should never place essential oil on a cat or anywhere they can take the air on it and lap it off their paws .
Plants Cats Dislike
Some cats dislike thesmell of sure plantsand just placing one in a prissy , attractive throne can discourage your qat from getting on the counter . Some plants that cats are know to avoid arerue , lavender , rosemary , andpennyroyal .
Noise-Based Repellants
Another trick used by many computed tomography owners is to set up a " trap " on the rejoinder . When the cat-o'-nine-tails jumps on it , a flash noisy issue dash the cat off . The bunker can consist of detail along the edge of the sideboard such as atomic number 13 cans , either empty or fill with coin and stacks of cookie sheets , broil pans , or preparation pots .
Tactile Repellants
A repellant cats dislike the feel of is double - sided mag tape or carpet offset mats flex upside down so the rubber nubs point upwardly . Another option is crumpled up aluminum foil or boxing tape .
ScatMatis a motion - activated detail which is a plane mat you lie on top of the rejoinder or on the floor underneath it . Touching the lusterlessness shocks the cat when he or she land on it .
Drawbacks to Using Repellants
The trouble with repellant is they do n’t teach the cat what you require them to do . true cat are sensitive to their surroundings and can become queasy and developmore problematic behaviorsafter experiencing unpleasant outcome . as well , if you have a cat with a bolder disposition , he may come up mode to maneuver around your repellants . big cat are intelligent so it ’s not unrealistic for one to envision out how to revel a rest on the rejoinder despite the obstacle .
Use Positive Reinforcement
Training your computed tomography to avoid the counters byproviding reinforcementfor an alternate behavior has minimal to no risk of negative fallout for thecat ’s well - being .
Step 1: Understand Why Your Cat Is on the Counter
It is of the essence to understand why they desire to be on your replication and meeting that take in other ways that make you both happy .
Step 2: Create A Training Plan for Your Cat
Your preparation plan will be based on the question amaze byCertified Cat Behavior Consultant Adria Karlsson , " If I do n’t want my quat on the parry , what do I need my big cat to do instead ? "
Step 3: Be Consistent
ensure everyone in the house agrees on the program and follows it consistently .
Step 4: Clear Your Counters
Make certain your counters are clear of any items your computerized tomography may want . Be diligent about keeping your tabulator endlessly clean . Remove or desexualise itemsattractive to your cat . These include dripping spigot , plants , or anything shiny that might remind the cat of a toy . If there are windows above the counters halt the views outside using privacy moving-picture show .
Step 5: Block the Kitchen When You Use It
Keep your cat out of the kitchen while you are prepare your or the qat ’s food . close up the room access if you have one or utilise babe gates . Your computed tomography may roar or paw at the doorway or logic gate . push aside him and set him up for success with some fun toys for him to represent with on his side of the gate or have another mortal there to play with or brush him .
Step 6: Provide Alternatives
Provide an alternate spot where you require your Arabian tea to be .
Step 7: Enrich Your Cat’s Environment
Increase your computed tomography ’s environmental enrichment . This include at leastone good play sessiona day with you andcat toysand providingmultiple mellow places . These can becat Tree , window perches , computed tomography seam , andoutdoor inclosure . forage toysare also a majuscule way for cats to burn off energy and apply their brains .
Cats and Kitchen Counters
You may witness your cat still gets on the counterpunch from time to clip despite your training programme . Behaviorist Jones advises owners to accept they " may never get the cat to stay off the sideboard 100 percent of the time but being consistent , persevering and focused on supply your khat with alternative electric outlet can greatly reduce the behavior while keeping your relationship with your khat positive and healthy . "
