Question...kitten training.

[Maddy McCall]

I don't mind the kitten being on the couch--don't mind that at all. But she's learned how to hop up on the kitchen counter, breakfast table, and dinner table--all at which we either prepare or eat food.

Is there any way possible to train a kitten to stay off these surfaces? I know that she's just exploring, but I don't want our food contaminated with kitty poop.

Thanks for any advice.

[SoCalDem]

1. Sorry to tell you this now...but..

living with cats means living with them getting on the counter.. Just assume that they do it..even if you don't see them..

Spray the countertop with disinfectant before you prepare food on it. and wash your hands frequently..

We have always had cats, and no one has ever died from eating at our house:)..

or even gotten sick :)

Cats are very clean animals, and other than the klutzy sudden moves they make, no harm has come from them getting up there :)

[Maddy McCall]

What about the stovetop? It's connected to the counter that she...

hops up on. I am terrified that she's going to hop in a pot of boiling water.

[SoCalDem]

5. Won't happen.. They will avoid heat..

well.. except for Sara who singed her whiskers off with a candle.. but she avoids them like the plague now :)

[Maddy McCall]

6. Thanks!

I appreciate your advice! :-)

[barb162]

14. not always. Last year I took a ham out of the oven and my one cat

jumped on the counter and put his foot on a hot flat electric burner as he was walking to the ham next to it. I didn't even know he jumped on the counter. The burner was really hot as I had just taken a hot pot of something off of it. He really burned the bottom of his front foot. That is the only time that ever happened in 30 + years of having cats. It took forever for the bottom of his front foot to heal. They will avoid heat I agree but this time it didn't work. The attraction of that ham or whatever....

[barb162]

13. agree they are super clean and no one ever got sick or died from

eating here either

[crispini]

2. Get a water squirter and squirt her when she does it.

Clap your hands loudly and say NO. She'll get it.

That said, she'll still get up there when you leave the house. That is the nature of cats. She knows you don't want her up there so of course it is doubly enticing.

[Maddy McCall]

4. My son is now homeschooling.

I don't want her interrupting his studies. I hate to be mean to her.

[crispini]

8. it's not mean, just training.

they learn NO pretty fast. won't hurt the kitty. does mean you have to watch for the chance though!

[SoCalDem]

9. All I have to do is PICK UP the spray bottle and they start minding

:evilgrin:

[blackcat77]

3. I agree with the poster above.

If it bothers you, just give the countertop a quick spray and wipe and it'll be fine.

[aquart]

12. NO. Train the cat.

[Blue in a Red State]

7. A squirtgun or spray bottle

will get them down in a hurry...

[aquart]

10. Begin as you mean to go on. Table top surfaces are FORBIDDEN.

My cats don't do tables. It absolutely IS possible to train them. They go on every place a person could sit or lie, but tables are out. Begging at dinner is out. They NEVER get food when I'm eating.

Be firm. Do not give in or give up. A new cat wants to learn the rules. Teach.

[Lorien]

11. Several ideas;

the squirt gun usually works, but while you're away, you might try a motion detecting alarm (sold through some pet stores and Solutions catalog), or a "Scat Mat" (found at the same locations) which delivers a static shock (harmless but surprising).

I prefer clicker training; www.clickertraining.com . It takes a little bit of effort, but it makes communication with your pet-any pet- much easier.

[demigoddess]

15. it is possible to train kitty not to get up on tables or counters

we always slept with our cats, but they weren't allowed on kitchen or tables. One cat would obey if I just snapped my fingers at him and others a shout or clapping of hands. squirt bottle for the worst behavors but usually a cat loves his owner and wants to please just let him know you love him and give him attention when he behaves and not just when he doesn't behave that is the mistake a lot of cat and dog owners make.
former owner of Max, martin, tonto, fifi, charlie, sherri,
Two of these cats loved so much that they visited me after they died.
Never underestimate a cat!!!

[mike_c]

16. push her off-- she will get the message eventually....

Clap your hands and say "OFF!" loudly. Cats aren't dummies. All of mine have learned where my boundaries are. Having said that, expect to find them flaunting their independence when your back is turned....

The kitty poop issue is a bit strange. If your kitten is pooping or pissing on tables or counters that is NOT normal behavior and might very well indicate a health problem (especially if it's urinating in unusual places). Its simple presence on your counter does not pose any more of a contamination issue than its presence in the house-- unless you're a MAJOR full time cleaner your germs and your families' germs and your cat's germs will all mingle anyway. Keep its litterbox clean. Wipe the counter before you use it, but get used to the notion of cat hairs showing up in unexpected places. Unless you suspect specific diseases you shouldn't worry about sanitation unless your cat is remarkably dirty-- toxoplasmosis comes to mind, but you have a greater risk emptying the litter box than anywhere else, and that only if you're pregnant.

[Sparkly]

17. First of all, you have to post a picture

to keep up with GingerSnaps.

Kittens are soooo cute and they don't last long before they're cats! ;)

My freaked-out traitor cat: Her sign says "Security Cats for Bush... because we're nervous!!"

[miss_kitty]

18. There is this thing that you can buy called Ssscat

http://www.litterboy.com/Details.cfm?ProdID=133&category=0

It is compressed air with a motion detector on the can...My neighbour is most happy with the results. Gatto no longer sprays on the kichten counter. And he was doing it for some time.

I think you HAVE to allow cats 'up' spots though. I think they get warped if you make them stay on the ground only

[unblock]

19. aluminum foil. trust me on this one.

most cats HATE walking on aluminum foil.
tape aluminum foil to the counters, especially where they hop up. leave it loose enough to krinkle and make noise when they walk. oooh they hate that.

if kitty kat is young enough and a good learner, you'll be able to remove the foil after a few weeks or a month.

[miss_kitty]

20. another friend of mine is using the foil on the sofa thing

like Ssscat, it works when you aren't around. Or the spray bottle is not hanging off your utility belt. His cats, which grew up on the furniture, aren't into the furniture anymore. They do get to be on the kitchen counters though. BTW, kitty probably won't poop on the counter-unless you put a litter box up there. :)