Are you frustrated because your cat insists on walking on the kitchen counter? Even if you don’t personally mind that kitty is prancing along the countertop and maybe leaving a cat hair or two behind, there are safety reasons why she shouldn’t be there. She may step onto a hot stove or get into some food you’re preparing that isn’t safe for her to eat. You may also have cleaning supplies on the counter that aren’t safe for her to be around.

If you’ve tried to train your cat to stay off the counter, you’ve probably discovered that it seems to be a losing battle. If you repeatedly shoo the cat off the counter, most likely, she’ll just wait until you’re out of sight before she hops right back up there.

It’s time for a new approach. The method I use works even when you aren’t home, so kitty is getting trained 24/7. The key is to make the counter unappealing. There’s a simple way to do this. Get a plastic carpet runner (like the ones used in new homes) that has the bumpy spines on one side. Cut the runner into smaller pieces to fit the counter surface. Then place the runner spine-side-up on the counter whenever you aren’t working in the kitchen. When the cat jumps up on the counter she’ll feel the uncomfortable texture and decide for herself that this isn’t such a fun place.

Keep the runner on the counter for a few weeks, until you’re sure your cat has gotten the message.

For more information refer to the book Starting from Scratch.

© 2009 Cat Behavior Associates, LLC