I have cats that keep getting my kitchen table and chairs. I have used a bottle of water to spray them and they have not learned yet. Any ideas for this? I can't afford to spend a lot! Thanks.
One smell cats don't usually like is lemon. An inexpensive solution might be to go to the $1 store and get a table cloth for the table and paper towels for the chairs and spray lemon juice on them. As soon as the cat jumps up on the lemon saturated table or chair, they will likely jump right down. If you are concerned about the lemon juice hurting your table, you might want to put a doubled up sheet or something down first ~ same thing for the chairs. I believe that if this is done for a few days the cats might just give up.
If this works and you are tired of putting things on your table, you could spray the lemon on the underside of your table and chairs as a reminder to them.
I hope for the best for you! ;)
Thanks for the information. Sure will try this idea and let you know how it works for me. Thanks again.
I also had this problem with my cat jumping up and walking around on our kitchen counters while we were at work! I layed clear packing tape, sticky side up, in random spots all over the counters. Before you knew it...she stopped! Cats HATE tape on their feet...drives them crazy! Good Luck!
You will have to catch them with this method, but try putting some coins or nuts and bolts into a can with a lid. Anything that makes a loud racket that you can shake when they jump up. They hate the noise and will get down.
I have not tried this on the kitchen table but it worked for my couch. I put down aluminum foil. The cats hated it and after a few days they stayed away from the couch.
Yep, the coins in a can works. We call it the "NO NO Kitty can" (even written on the can, if anyone forgets! That gets them off of whatever you want real quick, just make sure there isn't any crystal that will suffer in their attempt to sail through the air, as far away from the sound as possible.
Cats hate anything to do with oranges. Try potpouri with orange oil sprinkled in it. Or even add some orange peels. They hate it.
I'm glad to read all of these great ideas! I've had inside cats all my life and have been blessed to not have that problem "yet"... Thankfully our two elderly inside kitties have always been mannerly and not interested in my table or counter tops. (That is a strict "no-no" for me!) I will keep these ideas in mind and will pass them along to others, including my daughter who has a new kitten.
My dog also jumped up to the counter top & i put up mouse trap up around the edge it worked. You could try it with your cats.
I have an indoor only long-haired female tortoisshell who is very well mannered & 2 indoor/outdoor cats, one is reasonably well mannered & the other is not--or rather, wasn't. The later 2 adopted us. Years ago, I learned that cats don't like the pssss sound--like when you use a can of room deodorizer--like Glade which is really noisy when it sprays. I had went to the kitchen to get the deodorizer to get rid of burnt popcorn smell in the house (the result of my granddaughter just REALLY over cooking a bag of microwave popcorn).
I use canned air, like you use for cleaning the computer and keyboard, sounds like a mama cat hissing and down they go, After a few weeks all I had to do was pick up the can. This way you're not spraying odors into the room as well.
My indoor cat is trained to go outside with me on the deck. I didnt start to train her until she was about 10 yr old. She responds will to my voice and scolding. I threaten with the hose, but have never actually sprayed her. lol When I ask he to come inside and she obeys, I give her a treat.
So what I am saying is that cats (like people and dogs) respond well to rewards for good behavior. I'd continue to use the spray of water from the spray bottle as its non toxic. I wouldnt use glade or another air freshener because the smell is harmful to your pets. They have very sensitive noses.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
How do you keep a cat from getting up on counter, furniture such as a desk, chest of drawers, dresser, nightstand, kitchen table, etc.? And she knows it's not okay because everytime I see her, it's trouble.
I think she does it to get attention. She's gonna get more than any attention if it doesn't stop, because I am and have been fed up with it! Any advice to "save her"?A spray bottle of water works very well, but you have to do it each and every time, or it becomes a game for them.
This came from wiki-how. Cover furniture with aluminum foil. ...
Place double-sided tape across the surface of furniture. ...
Spray white vinegar on furniture favored by your cat. ...
You can also invest in a cat scratching post.
Many cats like to be high up. Put up a special sturdy shelf for your cat.
You may want to consider finding a new home for your cat. Cats dont do things just to "get your attention". That is a human behavior. Cats (especially if they are indoor cats) need to get up high to feel comfortable. That can be done with cat trees, window perches or wall shelves mounted for them to climb on. If you dont enrich your environment to give them an outlet for their natural activities, they will jump up on the furniture to meet these needs. If your cat can be outside part of the day that usually meets those needs. But an indoor cat needs some support. She is just trying to be a cat, not annoy you.
This is what cats do.
They like to be up high.
Some owners install carpeted shelves specifically for their cat. If you live in a rental this won't work, though.
Generally speaking, don't have anything on dressers or the very top of furniture. At least nothing breakable. Use a wipeable tablecloth. Contain desk items in organizers meant for desk accessories so they don't end up on the floor.
If this seems incompatible with your lifestyle, a cat is not for you.
I live in a one bedroom apartment. I personally cleaned out the cupboard over my fridge and put a blanket in there. My cat goes up there to sleep or watch me cook. She also has a blanket next to my computer monitor on my desk so she can be next to me while I'm using the computer. She has a small cat tree in the living room next to the window and one in the bedroom.
definitely you can make life eaiser for yourself and your cat by creating high shelves and other high places for her to perch. All cats by nature are given to perching, but some more than others.
YOu should visit Jackson Galaxy's site and learn how to 'catify' your living space. YOu can get very elaborate, or simply install some high=up shelving next to a cat tree for her to climb. I guarantee you if you do that small thing you will never had this issue again.
The other answers are great. To underline the fact that cats like to jump and like high places, so we need to adapt our lives to their desires (if we want a happy, healthy cat) a story follows. One of my homeopathic veterinary colleagues had 2 young cats who were very healthy and therefore super energetic. When I visited one wonderfully snowy winter I saw these two shelves on the wall of her cathedral ceiling living room that were at least 7 feet high - and they were empty. I asked if she was getting ready to renovate and she roared with laughter. Her cats would leap 7 feet to whack items off the shelves. So she just kept them empty.
My best suggestion is for you to begin to read all the cat behavior books around, especially those written by animal communicators and by people doing clicker training. With great patience you can use clicker training (you may need to consult an expert).
Another approach is to talk with an animal intuitive/communicator - www.pettalk.net has referral list, or go to the links page of www.MyHealthyAnimals.com.
What can I do to keep the cats from sitting in my rocking chairs? They leave their hair on the chair pads.
By sylvia johnson from Spartanburg, SC
A squirt from a bottle of water every time you see the cat where he/she should not be. You have to be consistant with this.
The water bottle idea works very well. It's how we trained three large cats to not even think of touching our furniture, however, I would like to add, if you make a psssst! noise while you spray them, eventually you only have to make the psssst noise and will not need to use the water.
Also, place some tin foil or double sided sticky tape in the chair. One time on either will be enough to make them think twice about wanting to get in that chair.
First, reduce any dry cereal you are feeding and increase the protein, keeping a large bowl of water clean/full/ available at all times. Next, buy a VERY sturdy stand-alone tall scratching post or make your own by wrapping 1/2 in. hemp rope tightly around a 4"x4" post screwed to it's own wooden base.
Third, brush your cat twice a week, especially in the Spring, early Summer, and throughout if needed. Add a raw egg to whatever protein you feed. I have used tuna/egg for 21 years (hating canned cat food chemicals) and my cat is wonderfully well, along with a small helping of cat cereal.
She's never had shots, I do not allow her to go out, nor do I trust ANY of the vaccines any longer now that I learned the govt. places Aluminum in them after taking Mercury out with public complaints! She's never been sick except a rare hairball, when I forget to brush her.
Watch when you pet your cat. If it's shedding when you pet it, it needs brushing, then the leaving hair on a cushion is a non-issue, right? Surely you don't mind if the cat sleeps in a chair? Otherwise, use the water spray. It works but you have to stay with it and be willing to get up and down consistently until the cat learns, then what will you do when you are gone?
I also place my cat in a good sized news papered clean cage when I leave and at night, with a small amount of food/water to prevent surprises. It's not cruel, and works for both our good. God bless you and your cat. : )
Easy! I have two very good suggestions. I have two 9 week old kittens that decided they loved my coffee table. No more. $1 spray bottle with water. Wonderful! Now all I have to do is aim and they run from it. Two is "sticky paws". It's two sided tape that doesn't damage your furniture. They don't like the stickiness. You get I think 24 strips for $14.99.
My 1 year old, male Siamese, strictly indoor cat keeps jumping on my coffee table and knocking cups with fluids in them over. No matter what I do he keeps doing it. I do not want to lock him in the cat room at night because then he will scratch on the carpet and ruin the carpet. When he knocks cups over he ruins any papers that are on the table or electronics. I do not want any harsh chemicals on my coffee table or anywhere in the house to deter him from any where because I have children in the house and another cat that is very well behaved and doesn't do this and I also have a dog.
I was also wondering how to get the ammonia smell out of my carpets and clothes because before I got him fixed he would mark his spots on my clothes and carpets. Home remedies please.Nature's miracle carpet shampoo in a shampooer should get the smell out.
As for the coffee table, start using travel coffee cups with closable lids. You have an active, intelligent, personally breed of cat and expecting him to stay off the coffee table is unreasonable.
OK. so i cant afford to use coffee mugs instead of our cups so pretty much what you telling me is that there is no way to stop this? but my other cat used to do and now she doesnt anymore and she also dont get on the coffee table anymore either and what can i do about my clothes that is on my laundry basket that he pees on and i cant afford to buy new clothes cuz i am on a fixed income and only have enough money for rent and to feed and keep their boxes clean. and i will for sure have to look around for the Nature's Miracle Carpet Cleaner. Can i purchase that at my local wal-mart?
Siamese are high energy cats and can be demanding as far as attention is concerned. He may be knocking over cups because he's noticed it gets him attention. He may also just be restless and moving around. Your other cat is probably more docile and less energetic.
Siamese are great jumpers and love heights. Do you have a tall cat tree where he can look out a window? He may rather do that than bother you. Obviously, don't leave cups out at night and try to remember to straighten up papers at night. I use a file basket to contain papers and mail.
I dIdn't know he was still peeing on your clothes. You didn't mention that at first.
You have two cats. Do you have two litterboxes in separate rooms?
This peeing could be territorial behavior.
It could also be frustrated behavior due to boredom or lack of exercise. Siamese can often be taught to play fetch or walk on a leash. They require more exercise than typical cats.
Siamese should respond well to training. Have you tried training the command "down" like you would for a dog, using treats?
Nature's Miracle products are available at PetSmart.
How can my daughter keep her white cat off of her furniture, counter tops, stove, couch, and chairs, even the stairway. She has tried spraying him with a squirt bottle, didn't work, now she has to put Reynolds wrap around all the counter tops, stove, tables, everything.
By Katie
The stairway is a definite "NOT GOING TO HAPPEN" nor should it!! Of course we don't like our cats being on our stove and our countertops and tables and maybe select furniture that we sit on all the time but to say the cat can't go in the stairway, it's ridiculous. MAYBE SHE SHOULD GET RID OF THE CAT IF SHE CAN'T HANDLE THE CAT WALKING ON HER FLOORS OR "STAIRWAY" THAT'S NO WAY FOR A ANIMAL TO LIVE. WHY DON'T SHE JUST KEEP IT IN A CAGE? (TOTAL SARCASM BY THE WAY)
Alright I'm sorry but this actually really bothers me. But for tips I don't know maybe she's not being consistent enough because the water does work pretty well... And eventually they just give up. It's possible she's not spending enough time with them and that's why they're acting out. To get her attention, like children whatever attention they can get they're going to keep doing that even if it's negitive. She needs to brush them a few minutes (about 3-5, depending on the length of hair)at least a few times a week. She won't notice the shedding as much on furniture after a week of brushing. I did notice some one in the comments before say use lemon or orange spray on the table tops. Of course spray it on paper and have something underneath it so it doesn't soak into the table. I've never tried it but supposedly they don't like the smell.
And I know how frustrating it is to have to clean your counters and stove down all the time before you eat or cook. So her wanting that to stop is very understandable. Does she have a tree for the cat to climb? Any Windows the cats can look out of? If not maybe she should rearrange her house so the cats can jump up and look out the windows.
I was having this issue with my cats and they have long hair. They would use the couch that we sat on all the time as their bed that they would sleep in all the time and it was getting disgusting. So I does innate two different chairs that they sit on. And because they seem to like to feel closeness to me so, I put one of my old shirts down on the chairs that I don't wear anymore and they have been loving it. Rarely do they ever get up on them spots that they used to lay all the time. Now I do let them jump up when I'm sitting down for them to sit on my lap to be petted or a short nap. But I personally still have issues with them jumping up on my counters and stove. It's only when I'm sleeping or gone because they know they're going to get sprayed with water lol little sh**'s! But sorry about the sarcasm, it's just the truth and the way that I feel. And maybe something she really needs to think about if she really wants cats.... Because they're just like us they have personalities and minds of Their Own and each and every single one of them are different. It's what makes them so special
I would get a cat condo. Cats love these, and they get high up, which gives them a feeling of dominance. Hopefully she will be so happy in the condo, she'll give up the furniture.
I have a kitten and mama cat that are really good pets. If they scratch the furniture or rugs, I can stop them by spraying water from a spray bottle. They've just started getting on the kitchen table and if I'm sitting in a recliner in the living room, the spray bottle doesn't shoot far enough to hit them. If I get up, they jump down and run, but I want to get their attention faster than that. Surely someone has a solution. Thanks!
By DKG
Try putting some pebbles, pennies, marbles or the like in an empty soda can, seal the opening, keep it nearby, then shake it at them when you see them on the table. I used that trick a long time ago on 2 cats I had, and soon enough, all I had to do was pick up the can, and they would run, before I even shook it! Cats hate the rattling sound.
Soda can with few pennies. Throw it in the area, not hitting them but it makes such a clatter they will be startled. Throw it and act like you haven't a clue where that came from.
I would like to know what can I use to train my kittens to keep off the furniture and speakers. They are very active and want to jump up and climb plus scratch on everything.
What can I do? They are 3-4 months old.Cats are natural climbers. In the wild they climb trees to find birds and to escape predators. You'll see outdoor cats in trees, on cars, on fences and even on the roofs of houses.
One of the best ways to keep kittens occupied is to get tall "cat trees" and place them around the house. The best place is near a window. You can also place shelves the cats can jump to on different walls of the house where they can use them as "steps" to access the tops of dressers and cabinets.
Don't put anything valuable or fragile on shelves or furniture that cats can access. Anchor electronics by using strong double sided tape on the back or bottom so they can't be easily knocked over. Wrap electrical cords.
Your cats are still in the wild kitten stage and will likely settle down by the time they reach one year of age. Right now they can be very challenging.
