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Cats are naturally drawn to high spaces, but when their perch becomes your kitchen countertops, it’s perfectly reasonable to want to try to curb this behavior. As a safety measure, keeping your cat off your counters prevents them from being near hot stove burners or your human food, which could make them sick.
The first step to stop your cat from counter surfing is to see what need it’s fulfilling. From there, you can make a plan of action.
Read on to explore common reasons why cats jump on kitchen counters and what you can do to keep your kitty off them.
Why Do Cats Jump on Kitchen Counters?
While kitchen counters may seem like another flat surface to you, they actually tick a lot of boxes to fulfill your cat’s instinctual needs. They’re high, provide access to food and water, and offer exercise and entertainment. Here’s a closer look at all the reasons why your cat might see your counters as prime real estate for their paws.
They like to be up high
As both predators and prey, cats want to be as high as possible, surveying their territory from a safe perch. While domestic indoor cats don’t exactly have predators, they still have the instinct to get up high to see perceived threats. Anxious and nervous cats, in particular, may be more likely to jump on your counters to monitor or escape household activity—like an approaching vacuum or a household dog.
They like to jump
On the other hand, some cats jump on the counter simply because they can, and it feels good. Felines are physically built for climbing, with springy back haunches and claws to pull them up trees, hillsides, and other surfaces in the wild. Stretching, reaching, and jumping onto the countertop may be an expression of your kitty’s athleticism.
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They associate the space with food
Kitchen counters are a sensory treasure trove for cats. Even after you’ve wiped down the surface, they can still smell the food you prepared. If you keep snacks or treats on your counters, then your kitty will be even more enticed to jump on them. Even finding the occasional crumb is enough motivation for your cat to habitually check for morsels just in case you accidentally leave one behind again.
They can access running water
Cats love to be near running water. It’s another evolutionary behavior, which entices them to drink from flowing streams—or your kitchen sink. Your counters provide the perfect perch to sit and wait for you to turn the faucet on for them to sneak a drink.
They’re bored or want to get your attention
If your cat is bored, they may jump on the “forbidden surface” to get a reaction from you, especially if you gasp, run over to pick them up, or make a big deal about it. Over time, they’ll start associating hopping on the counters with getting your attention.
Your cat may also create their own fun game of knocking over jars or other items on your counters when bored.
How To Keep Your Cat Off Your Counters
Once you’ve identified why your cat is jumping on your counters, you can figure out a solution to keep them off it. Here’s how:
- Provide alternative perches. One of the best ways to keep your cat off your counters is to offer them other high places to hang out, like a window perch, cat tree, or tower.
- Clicker train your cat to reinforce staying off counters. Once you’ve provided your cat with a different perch, start building a positive association with it. Anytime they’re in their new space, click and reward with a treat, so they start choosing that place instead of your counters.
- Keep food off your countertops. Do the dishes, clean up food scraps, and wipe down the counters after food prep. Consider also filling your cat’s bowl and preparing their meals somewhere else besides your countertops.
- Make your counter space less appealing. Try natural cat deterrents like placing aluminum foil or double-sided sticky tape on your countertops.
- Give your cat a water fountain. If your cat loves drinking out of the sink, buy a cat water fountain for them to use instead, placing it away from your countertops.
- Provide plenty of enriching activities. Puzzle feeders and toys provide an outlet to scavenge for snacks and hunt for food that’s not on your countertops. Pro-tip: Give your cat these puzzles near or on their alternative perch.
- Schedule one-on-one time. If your cat is jumping on your counters to get your attention, make a point to take more time out of your day for playtime, snuggles, and training.
- Use management to keep your cat out of your kitchen. If the counter surfing becomes too much of a problem, try high pet gates, or put your cat in another room or area in your home.
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Be Persistent and Patient
Cats love to jump and explore. It’s simply in their nature to get up high! In general, the best way to keep your cat off the countertop is to make sure they have access to alternate surfaces. If your kitty prefers the countertop to the cat tree, it may take some time to train them to redirect to another surface.
Be patient, and remember that your cat is just being a cat. In the meantime, be sure to have a good non-toxic cleaner on hand to wipe up those paw prints!
Cat Counter Surfing FAQs
What smell keeps cats off counters?
Many cats don’t like the smell of citrus. To use citrus as a natural deterrent, try placing orange or lemon peels on your countertops. Or spray your counters with a cat-safe, citrus-scented spray. Just make sure to spot test a small area to make sure the citrus or sprays don’t irritate your cat.
What surfaces will cats not walk on?
Cats hate surfaces that are sticky, crinkly, nubby, or spiky. When using things like aluminum foil or double-sided sticky tape to deter your cat from jumping on surfaces, just make sure they have plenty of other places to hang out in your home. Otherwise, they may act out in an attempt to make a space for themselves.
Do cats eventually learn to stay off countertops?
By staying consistent in your training and management tactics, your cat can eventually learn to leave your countertops alone. Just remember that jumping on counters fulfills a specific need for your cat, so you’ll want to do your best to provide an alternative outlet!
