Hello! I have two cats—one just turned 3, and the other is between 6 months to a year (found him on the street about a month ago and decided to keep him). We’ve been having a problem with the 3-year-old getting on the counter, and now the younger one is following suit.
We constantly have to put away any food on the table or they’ll go up there and eat it or knock it off (like, almost instantly). Even when there’s nothing on the counter, they’ll still jump up there and walk around. They seem to know we don’t like it because they always jump down when they see us.
Honestly, I’m kind of resigned to the fact that it might not change since they’re both smart, and I wipe down the counter afterward anyway. But my stepfather is getting really frustrated and has threatened to hurt them or throw them out if they keep doing it. I absolutely want to avoid that!
We’ve tried a lot of things: aluminum foil on the table, a shock mat, a spike mat (which isn’t actually spiky, just uncomfortable), a spray bottle, and clearing off the counter completely. I’ve heard getting them a high perch might help, but our kitchen is small, so nothing too big fits. We do have a high perch in the living room, but they don’t seem interested in it.
Can anyone help? They’re the sweetest cats, and I really don’t want to see them harmed or rehomed.
Also, use a spray bottle filled with water to give them a quick spritz when you catch them on the counter.