Desperate to stop the counter surfer!! HELP!!

madmax · **Posted:** Mon May 23, 2011 10:56 am

Can't keep Rocky or Georgia off my kitchen tops either. I've learned to keep anything edible out of the way, otherwise it gets eaten! It doesn't bother me at all that they go on the surfaces, I just wipe the tops regularly, especially before preparing food.

BeckyN · **Posted:** Wed May 25, 2011 3:06 pm

madmax · **Posted:** Wed May 25, 2011 3:39 pm

babadook · **Joined:** Sun Oct 04, 2015 5:51 pm **Posts:** 1

Wow I'm a little surprised at some of the replies to your question. Giving up and accepting that your cat is going to potentially put him/herself in danger by jumping on the counter does not seem like responsible pet ownership to me. Don't most people have a stove adjacent to their countertop?

Anyway, here's what worked with my Bengal. First of all, make the counter less attractive. Always put your dishes away and don't leave dirty dishware and bits of food in the sink. Keep it spotless, all the time.

Get yourself some Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Castile Liquid Soap. Take a large spray bottle and mix about 1 quart of water to 1/4 cup of the peppermint soap. Clean your counters with this. You can also leave little squirts of it on the counter. Your cat will get his/her paws in it, and they really do not like peppermint. It's safe and non toxic.

Next you need positive reinforcement. After encountering the peppermint, your cat will probably hesitate before jumping on the counter. Reinforce this behaviour with gentle stroking, etc.

Good luck!

Sherry · **Joined:** Thu May 23, 2013 2:21 pm **Posts:** 9217

Quite an old thread! Mine rarely jumps up on the counter. I just pick him up and putting him back on the floor.

caitlinmarie · **Joined:** Wed Aug 12, 2015 4:13 pm **Posts:** 118

I can't wait until the day Pixel jumps on the counter, because that means she has built up enough confidence to leave the stairs and her safe-room upstairs. :(

Sherry · **Joined:** Thu May 23, 2013 2:21 pm **Posts:** 9217

Quite unusual that someone WANTS their kitty to jump up on the counters. LOL

caitlinmarie · **Joined:** Wed Aug 12, 2015 4:13 pm **Posts:** 118

Desperate to stop the counter surfer!! HELP!!

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