For many cats, jumping up onto your kitchen counters or dining room table is a favorite pastime. But it is likely one that you are not fond of. Whether your cats are getting up onto these surfaces to knock things off or you simply do not like the idea of your kitten’s paws on the same surfaces where you prepare food, there are a number of reasons to train cats not to go up onto the counter.
Cats may get onto countertops because they are curious, and with their powerful jumping and climbing abilities, getting up onto the counter is fun. Some cats like human food and know that the counter or table may have a treat for them. Other cats are stressed and instinctively try to get to a higher vantage point to feel like they have more control. Your cat may also climb up on the counters if she knows it gets your attention.
If you can determine a specific reason why your cat gets on the counter, you can plan on your intervention accordingly. But if you are unsure, trying several of the following methods will often help:
Your cat jumping onto tables and countertops is often a trained behavior that will take some time to train out. This means that consistency is key. If you're using any adverse methods, like foil or smells, you want to keep those up, as well as making sure to keep cleaning to make sure your counter remains an unattractive place for your cats.