How To Keep Cats Off Countertops | Chewtorials, by Chewy on YouTube. 3 min 6 s.
- Video length
- 3 min 6 s
- Time to do it
- 15 minutes a day for 2 to 4 we
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Place a sturdy stool or chair next to the counter. Reserve a high-value treat for that spot and reward your cat only when it chooses to jump up on its own.
Set up a cat tower or climbing tree in another room. Add cubbies, scratching posts, catnip and toys to make it a better place to perch than the counter.
Lay passive deterrents along the counter edge, such as aluminum foil, double-sided tape or shallow cookie trays filled with water. These should startle your cat without hurting or scaring it.
Clear food and other tempting items from the counters. Do not leave food out, and move your cat's food area to a different part of your home if mealtime draws it into the kitchen.
If your cat likes running water, set up a water fountain in its feeding area. The moving water gives it a reason to leave the kitchen sink alone.
Put a puzzle feeder in the kitchen and load it with your cat's daily treats. It gives your cat a mental workout and redirects foraging behavior away from the counters.
Start clicker training when your cat jumps on the counter. Place a treat on the floor, bed or cat tower, then click as soon as your cat jumps down to reach it.
Repeat the clicker session often and reward your cat every time it uses the stool, tower or puzzle feeder. Stay patient, because changing counter-surfing habits can take time.
Tips and common mistakes
Never shout at your cat or squirt it with water; it may connect the punishment with you, not the counter.
Do not lift your cat onto the stool or tower. Let it choose the spot so the reward teaches the behavior.
Keep knives, hot pans, open flames and toxic foods away from counter edges while you train.
Use the clicker consistently and keep training sessions short and calm.
Questions
Will aluminum foil or double-sided tape hurt my cat?
No. These are passive deterrents meant to make the counter unpleasant to walk on, not to cause pain. Remove anything your cat might chew or swallow.
Why does my cat jump on the kitchen counter?
Cats like high places with a good view and are drawn to food smells. Give them a legal perch and a puzzle feeder to meet those needs.
How long does it take to stop counter surfing?
It can take days to weeks, depending on your cat. Keep rewards consistent and do not punish slips.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
