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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
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Counter Cats
in Pets
Anyone have any idea how to train cats? I feel like half my day is taken up with newborn diapers and feedings, and the other half is taken up with cleaning up after my cats! They werent this bad (but still kinda bad) before LO got here. We cant keep them off the counters, which drives me insane because I have to clorox the counters every time before I want to make/cook anything. We tried the spray bottle, that didnt work. I have even resorted to chasing them around the house after they have jumped down. They have ripped up my rug in my dining room, even though they have scratch posts and pads. Even after we had the baby, we made sure they got lots of attention. We are at the point of transitioning them outside we think, but they have been inside for 2 years and i am hesitant. They still have all their claws, and we have a lot of land they could run around. Suggstions, ideas, or thoughts?
Re: Counter Cats
Do not put your cats outside. Outdoor cats' lifespans are, on average, drastically lower than indoor cats. They are at risk of getting hit by cars, eating something poisonous, falling prey to larger animals, disease, etc.
Not to mention the diseases, germs, fleas, etc. that they could track back into your house.
Put some crumpled tinfoil or double-side tape on your counters. Cats don't like the feel of it. Or if you see them up on the counter, squirt a water bottle or compressed air at them.
All of that. Honestly, if you're going to put them outside after two years of them being inside, you're better off surrendering them to a shelter. At least if they don't get adopted they'd be humanely euthanized, not eaten by a wild animals or hit by car and left to suffer if it doesn't kill them.
Try aluminum foil, pennies in aluminum cans, and I believe they make mats (NOT the kind that shocks the cats) that make noises when the cats jump on them.
I have three cats, I know it's a losing battle. I do whatever I can to keep them off the counters, and I still bleach before I make anything. You can't watch them at all times, so it's just safer (and less gross) to clean the counters before meal prep.
Wahhhh! I had a whole response typed out and then the nest ate it.
I know it is frustrating. I have 5 cats myself, and an almost 2 month old baby. Please please don't put them outside for the reasons RHB mentioned. Let me share what we have tried:
Spray bottle - didn't work
Foil - worked for a few days, then they stopped caring. I think it is worth it for you to try it because your cats may not like it.
Sticky paws - double sided sticky sheets; same result as foil. Again, something worth trying as your cats may respond differently. I got them on Amazon.
What has really worked the best is keeping the counters clear of stuff they can get into. No goodies on the counter = less likely to go on them because they aren't being rewarded. After dinner has been made and before we eat, we put leftovers into gladware containers and put them in the fridge. Then, we fix our plates. Any pots or pans that need to be washed are hidden in the oven or microwave. Anything that can be washed in the dishwasher goes in immediately. I also use a wire cooling rack placed over the top of the sink to keep them from digging in there, too.
Keeping the counters clear and preventing them from getting into the sink has worked the best. Ever since I started using the wire rack a couple weeks ago, I find them up there less and less. The key is to be consistent!
Good luck! I know it is annoying but there is hope!
If my suggestions don't work, there are products on amazon that operate with sensors, and emit either a sound or puffed air when the cats jump on the counter. I have never used them, though. They were going to be my next step.
As far as the scratching, try using a Feliway diffuser (or 2), and Feliway spray. It is a way to help calm your kitties. I used the spray on DS' PNP when the cats were scratching at it and they stopped. I order Feliway on amazon; they have the best prices.
5 cats. 1 baby.
Our cat just loves being on the counter and sitting in the kitchen window. I know he will be up there when we aren't home so I don't really bother trying to get him off when he's there unless I'm cooking. I wipe down the counters before and after cooking and I keep a spray bottle with me while I am. All it takes is one spritz if he jumps up while I'm cooking and then he'll just patiently sit at my feet while I prepare the rest of the meal. If he's being especially rambunctious (luckily this isnt often) and I really need to not deal with him (hands covered in raw meat, etc) I just lock him in the basement (where his food, water, and litter box are) temporarily.
Honestly, it just causes less stress this way for everyone.
As for scratching things they shouldn't, Sherlock does this too but he does it because he knows it will get our attention. We ignore the behavior and keep his nails clipped and this has helped to eliminate the behavior for the most part. He still does it sometimes but it's not that often. He used to scratch his post all the time but he doesn't like it anymore. We've been meaning to get him a new one but haven't gotten around to it yet. He has 5 discarded scratch posts so at this point we are just doing our best to stay good about clipping his nails and making sure the sheaths come off cleanly.
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For the scratching, have you tried different kinds of scratching posts/rugs/things? One of our cats will only scratch on a post while the other loves his specific scratching rug.
As for the counter, I feel like there is really nothing you can do if nothing else works, it just comes with cats. They like to climb and explore, it's in their nature. I've heard some success with training but usually with kittens. You could try it still, by giving them a wet treat when they get off the counter.
Can I ask how the spray bottle didn't work? Do you spray them and they ignore it and aren't bothered? I use this with my cats & my mother uses it with her 6 cats and it's always worked so well. I don't usually even have to spray it, just holding the bottle is enough. We usually use it when they start to claw on furniture but I know my mother has used it for her cat that likes to get on the counter.
Ideally, you don't want them to see you with the spray bottle. You want them to think it's "an act of God," because then they associate you with the spray bottle. My cats will get off the counters if we spray them, but unfortunately, they have figured out that we control the spray bottle, so it's not effective when we aren't around.
5 cats. 1 baby.
SSSCAT Spray for Cats http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=10802
This product worked for our cat. Trained him to stay off tables and counters. The best part is you don't have to be there for it to work, like when you use a spray bottle of water or shake a can of coins. You turn it on and it blasts a puff of air that startles the cat when he jumps up on the counter.
I don't think we used one up totally and our cat has never been up on the table or counter since. And that was two years ago. We used it when we first adopted him.
You can order them from a number of different stores or websites, you can google the product to find the best price or some YouTube videos on how it works.
SSSCAT Spray for Cats
This product worked for our cat. Trained him to stay off tables and counters. The best part is you don't have to be there for it to work, like when you use a spray bottle of water or shake a can of coins. You turn it on and it blasts a puff of air that startles the cat when he jumps up on the counter.
I don't think we used one up totally and our cat has never been up on the table or counter since. And that was two years ago. We used it when we first adopted him.
You can order them from a number of different stores or websites, you can google the product to find the best price or some YouTube videos on how it works.