Expert: Becky - 11/10/2004

Question
my cat WILL NOT stay of my counter tops! we have tried everything from taking her down and telling her no, to spray bottles, to putting her outside when she does it! she continues to hop up on counters searching for food--- i have bought her different foods and she seems to be happy with the current food but still gets on my counters! this behavior has never been acceptable and i am at my wits end- she will steal food from the table and from my pots on the stove i am extremely disgusted by her behavior and am very frustrated - we have various animals and all behave well except her! I dont want to get rid of her but i feel like nothing on my counter is safe from her and she will do it when we are right in front of her!! please help!!!

Answer
Hello!

I know what you mean, mine do the same.  I have also tried everything , and it just doesn't work, especially if you work during the day and cannot control where they go.
I have settled with this solution.  Whenever we prepare meals, the first thing we do is put the cats in a bedroom and shut the door.  Then......all the counters are wiped down and cleaned really well, including the kitchen table.  The cats are held "hostage" in the bedroom until the meal is over and the dishes put up.  I know this sounds like they "won", well........guess what?  they did! haha
I have not found any better way to eat in peace without cats all over everything.   I love my cats, but I don't want to eat cat hair.

I hope this helps as one solution.

God Bless,
Becky