Old cat - let on counters? (more lifestyle than pet question)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Based everything else you said about the cat, I don't think the counter is a big deal. Let him be.

+1. And I also am opposed to cats on counters in principle, but I think letting it go at this point in the cat's life would be an act of mercy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:First, is food prepared on the bar, or eaten there? (Mine is strictly for display items.)

Second, could you just clean the counters before you prepare food or just be careful not to place food directly on the counter itself? My cat is not allows on the counters, but I have caught her a few times. To be safe, I wipe down the counter (takes 15 seconds) and do not work directly from them in any event.

Food is only on the bar when we have large parties, buffet style - and of course in dishes. On a day-to-day basis, it's completely empty except maybe some fresh flowers (which I also had to remove and put on the top of the fridge yesterday because he started digging in them to play in the water... sigh). We set mail up there when we come in.

Yes, I clean the counters at least once a day anyway, usually after prepping food, but would be easy to do it before prepping food. And I don't prep anything directly on the counter, mostly just out of habit/not wanting to damage them.

Thank you for all the responses, especially those that are kind/providing suggestions, even if you think it's gross. It's gross to me too - I wouldn't put my feet up on the counter or set shoes there. But I'm trying to take balance giving the cat a good life, keeping a clean home, and also not going out of my mind trying to patrol him (and knowing he can do whatever he wants when I'm not looking anyway, although I work from home so I have a fairly good idea of when he is up there -- not sure what he does at night). I feel like I'm making myself crazy trying to not be "gross," when in reality, I can't control it so I feel like I should stop fighting it and instead just control cleaning to make up for it.

Hopefully this phase will pass soon, like some of the others have.

[Anonymous]

I had a cat who also liked to walk on counters. I too was worried about sanitation and also didn’t want to be mean to my cat. At a vet appointment I asked my vet if it was unsanitary or a health risk because of the litter box/ cat feet issue and he said no. He said it seems like it would be to the average person but no. He said as long as we keep a reasonably clean litter box to not worry about it.

I wipe my counters down almost everyday anyway, and don’t put food directly on the counter.

[Anonymous]

Can you get a baby gate for your kitchen? Works to keep our elderly cat out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it's gross but you clearly want to do it. It's your house, so do it. Be free. Don't crowdsource it on DCUM. For what purpose? So you can justify it over and over again? It's your house. You lock him up when guests are there so no one who would mind needs to know about it. Done.

You're right. I'm going to talk to DH about it tonight and just wanted to have thought through all the suggestions/objections/other options. DH gets really pissed about it, and the cat is originally mine (although DH and I have been together 8 years, so he loves the cat as much as I do), so I feel a lot of guilt/obligation to try to keep the cat's impact to a minimum.

Last night I got up and went and slept in the guest room because the cat was having a super neurotic night and wouldn't stop yowling. We shut him out of the bedroom and then he just yowled at the door, so going into the guest room at least kept him away from bothering DH.

It's been really hard dealing with the personality changes and health issues the last 6 months, but the cat is otherwise extremely energetic and the vet says in very good shape, so while it has crossed my mind a few times that "I can't live like this," it seems like his issues shift or resolve for a few days every couple of weeks, and we think we're getting better. I think I just needed to "talk" it out because I've felt so stressed over the cat in general.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had a cat who also liked to walk on counters. I too was worried about sanitation and also didn’t want to be mean to my cat. At a vet appointment I asked my vet if it was unsanitary or a health risk because of the litter box/ cat feet issue and he said no. He said it seems like it would be to the average person but no. He said as long as we keep a reasonably clean litter box to not worry about it.

I wipe my counters down almost everyday anyway, and don’t put food directly on the counter.

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Where Have Your Paws Been, Miss Kitty?
As a veterinarian, it’s my job to tell you what home practices are unhealthy — for you and your pets. That would include allowing your cat on the counter as well as kissing your dog on the mouth. But look, I’ve already admitted that I kiss my dogs, even though I graciously concede that I shouldn’t. I will also admit that it’s not logical that I have no problem kissing dogs (and cats, if they’ll let me!), but I don’t want cats on my kitchen counter.

Cats keep themselves pretty clean — much cleaner than dogs. But they’re still using those paws in the litterbox, and walking around on them too, which raises the potential that they're picking up dangerous germs and bacteria and tracking them across your kitchen counters. You are putting yourself at risk by letting your cat walk the countertops. But you know what? You can minimize the possibility of disease pretty easily.

How? Wipe your counters well with an antibacterial agent before you prepare food, and I wouldn’t worry too much about those cat tracks. Of course, even if your cat never sets foot on the counters, you're probably wiping them clean before you prepare food and following safe food-preparation rules anyway. Right?

If, like me, you can’t stand the idea of a cat on the counter, then don’t allow it. But if you're OK with your cats wandering across your kitchen island, then cover your bases and protect yourself from zoonotic diseases with a clean sponge, soap and hot water.

Like I always say, “Lose the risk, keep the pet.”

http://www.vetstreet.com/dr-marty-becker/is-it-safe-for-cats-to-be-on-the-counter

I use Clorox clean ups constantly on counters and bleach/water after before “heavy” food prep.

[Anonymous]

I'd say just go for it. Who cares. It is like letting an elderly person do things you normally wouldn't countenance in a younger person. It's not going to last forever and yes, it'll lower his stress levels if you just let him do what he needs to do. Our cat had hyperthyroid and he went through these manic OCD phases too, so I know what you mean. I think you'd really be fighting a losing battle if you even tried to enforce the rule - just my $0.02.

[Anonymous]

I would not mind, just keep food and food prep away from that area. The cat is old and having issues, this seems like a small problem.

[Anonymous]

Can’t you just put something big on the counter temporarily so there’s no room for him? Something you can easily move when you need to use the counter. Hopefully, he’ll lose his obsession with jumping up.

One of my cats liked to be on something high and often sat top of the fridge.

[Anonymous]

OP, our new policy is that our elderly girl gets to do whatever she wants from 5 am to 9 pm. After 9 pm, she is not allowed to wake us. Sometimes, around 2 AM, she forgets and we put her in the vet recommended puppy cage. This has saved human sanity and her relationship with DH. The rest of the time, we spoil her rotten and this means she gets to be up high on the breakfast bar where she can be in the action but not fear being stepped on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Based everything else you said about the cat, I don't think the counter is a big deal. Let him be.

+1. And I also am opposed to cats on counters in principle, but I think letting it go at this point in the cat's life would be an act of mercy.

+2 Just accept that you can't put or prepare food on the raised bar because that is the cat's place. This is what it means to own a cat.

If my sweet girl cat was sickly or old and wanted to do this, I would let her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Based everything else you said about the cat, I don't think the counter is a big deal. Let him be.

Agree. And I’m normally totally opposed to cats on counters, but these are special circumstances.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Based everything else you said about the cat, I don't think the counter is a big deal. Let him be.

Agree. And I’m normally totally opposed to cats on counters, but these are special circumstances.

Totally agree. I understand people have different levels of comfort with home cleanliness but Mr.Kitty is a senior and experiencing health issues. He probably feels secure up on the counter. Our cat was attacked by an owl- I know crazy- and injured and for awhile he would get on top of the refrigerator. The vet said he probably wanted high ground to keep an eye on his surroundings in case the owl came back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can’t you just put something big on the counter temporarily so there’s no room for him? Something you can easily move when you need to use the counter. Hopefully, he’ll lose his obsession with jumping up.

One of my cats liked to be on something high and often sat top of the fridge.

That is a good suggestion. We did put pillows on there for a few days, and it kind of worked, but we'd need to cover the whole countertop that he could use to reach the bar. That wouldn't be too hard with a few king-size pillows, extra comforters, some Amazon boxes, etc. Thank you.