cats and counters!

[funkychunkymonkey]

Well, I hesitated to post because I was certain I would be shamed for having a kitty the climbs on the countertops.

However, after reading about everyone else's loveys, I have to share my cat's funny addiction (in addition to shiny objects, like my locket). My cat goes crazy for Dum Dums. We don't really know why, but she will play with a Dum Dum until she tears the wrapper off. I guess she likes the way it sounds when she knocks it about on the floor. Silly cat.

Mine LOVES the sticks, chewed them off all the kids suckers last easter

 

[POOHsie]

I had 2 cats, one old and one about 3. The older cat was on the counter constantly and hung out on the kitchen window sill. The young one was pretty aloof and she stayed on the floor. Now that my older cat has recently passed away, the younger one has taken up going on the counter and on the window sill. I guess she was just intimidated when the other cat was around.

One thing my old cat loved to do on the counter was play with the roll of paper towels, if I had left it out. She would attack that poor roll. She'd wrap her legs around it, claws extended, bashing it with her back legs, ripping it with her front paws, and biting the heck out of it with her teeth. The paper towels would be absolutely shredded. Funny, because if she encountered anything bigger than a sparrow in the backyard she would never pounce. I really miss her!

 

[EMom]

I had 2 cats, one old and one about 3. The older cat was on the counter constantly and hung out on the kitchen window sill. The young one was pretty aloof and she stayed on the floor. Now that my older cat has recently passed away, the younger one has taken up going on the counter and on the window sill. I guess she was just intimidated when the other cat was around.

One thing my old cat loved to do on the counter was play with the roll of paper towels, if I had left it out. She would attack that poor roll. She'd wrap her legs around it, claws extended, bashing it with her back legs, ripping it with her front paws, and biting the heck out of it with her teeth. The paper towels would be absolutely shredded. Funny, because if she encountered anything bigger than a sparrow in the backyard she would never pounce. I really miss her!

My 2 y.o. cat is a paper towel shredding machine. She has even learned to open the cabinets to get at hidden paper towels. She wraps herself around them, holds on with her front paws, then rabbit kicks the crap out of then, shredding them to tiny bits. We have come in more than once to find a room full of "confetti." Good thing I adore her so much.

She unrolled the toilet paper a few times, but gave up. It does not hold the same allure.

 

[DeniseinNS]

It totally grosses me out when I go to someone's house and see their cat on the counters/dining table, etc..... I could never eat anything from a house where I knew that animals were on food prep/eating areas.

 

[skater]

I foster cats and currently have the mother of 5 kittens that were adopted out several weeks ago. She was malnourished when we got her and very hyper about food (still is a little bit, but getting better). So, we can't leave a scrap of food on the counters. A few pieces of shredded cheese and butter are her favorites. As we've become more diligent in our clean up, she's been on the counters a lot less. I don't know how much she's up there when I'm gone, so I tend to disinfect the counters and the table before meal prep and eating.

Cat habits are hard to break and if its intolerable to you, you'll have to be consistent in your methods. There are good ideas here. I think you could pick one and stick with it for a few weeks. Also, try to provide something for your kitty to perch on. Many cats like to be up high and the counter is a nice place for them .

 

[aml3679]

I rarely see my cats on the counters but I can see the evidence. Our stove is black and there is usually a paw print or two. I just keep wiping everything down.

 

[pixiewings71]

It totally grosses me out when I go to someone's house and see their cat on the counters/dining table, etc..... I could never eat anything from a house where I knew that animals were on food prep/eating areas.

Well people wash their counters and tables......

 

[stargazer2892]

Our cat actually hates the feel of the counters and will freak out if shes being held and we go near it for some strange reason. No clue why however growing up we had cats and a firm "DOWN!" and a spray of water when they first started going up there as young cats seemed to do the trick. However if the cat is used to going up there and has been allowed to I'm not sure there is any way of breaking the habit since they are so darn stubborn.