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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Thank you. He is hyperthyroid as well (although it is wildly swinging and last month he was hypothyroid, so we cut his meds way back and it's still all over the place), plus kidney disease, plus we now have him on Prozac because he turned kind of aggressive/stalker & hunter (it has helped a lot but seems to have made him more obsessive with stuff like this).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Thank you very much. I work from home and will snuggle him, give him treats, anything he wants all day long. This makes me feel better, because what we really probably need to do is put him in the laundry room when he starts yowling in the middle of the night instead of just locking him out of our room. But I'm such a sucker and feel bad about keeping him alone.

[Anonymous]

I woukd let him up, and wait for this phase to end. Clean it well before you use it for food.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: I woukd let him up, and wait for this phase to end. Clean it well before you use it for food.

+1

[Anonymous]

I would let him do whatever he wants to do. But it sounds like his thyroid needs to be monitored weekly. How often do you take him in for bloods?

[Anonymous]

It’s your house so do what you want. Why would you let a bunch of strangers who don’t live with you tell you what to do? If you think it’s gross then don’t allow it. If you have gotten to the point where you don’t care then allow him to do it. Why are you asking this?

[Anonymous]

I think PPs saying just don’t allow it are missing the fact that this is an elderly cat with health issues undergoing personality changes. OP said the usual deterrents (foil, water, etc) are no longer working.

[Anonymous]

We have a terminally ill 12yo cat. I was hoping she’d have a few months but the meds are not working and now we’re hoping for a few more reasonably good weeks. But even that may be a stretch. She is doing a lot of gross things like having diarrhea all over herself, and peeing wherever. We have one whole room covered in towels and plastic liners and are doing multiple loads of laundry a day and multiple baths for her. I’m just not letting any outsiders in the house until this all plays out. She still has an appetite and enjoys company and isn’t in pain so we haven’t reached the final end game yet, but she’s getting more lethargic so I can see it coming. We are just putting up with whatever grossness ensues. She’s the one dying, I can shampoo the carpet.

Just let him do what he wants and clean up after him. It won’t last that long and you’ll wish it was longer.

[Anonymous]

OP, I agree with all the PP's who said to let your cat do whatever makes him comfortable.

If he likes the counter, let him have at it for his final days.

It won't be a big deal to clean the counter after he moves off of it. Personally, I would feel guilty trying to get him off the counter with any sort of method given his state of health.

So sorry, OP. It is so difficult when pets are suffering.

[Anonymous]

Let him be and just keep a container of Clorox wipes handy.

[Anonymous]

While we all agree that it's gross, many cats climb on kitchen counters- our old cat never did, but I often came home from work to find her lounging on our dining room table. Just as gross because obviously, we eat there.

While cats on countertops are gross- many do it and I think the risks are small unless a) your cat is an outdoor cat and b) not on an anti-parasite medication. Also, keep in mind that most parasites are handily killed by heat.

Also, in practical terms, think of all of the cross contamination issues you would face if you prepared your food without a cutting board or temporary surface that you could thoroughly wash. In practical terms, your risk of illness is higher being cat-free and throwing a piece of raw pork or chicken directly on a countertop (imo).

We have a dog now (no cats), but dogs aren't thoroughly clean either. Mine tracks into the house all the time and won't stay off of the couch. I often find her snuggled in my bed with her head resting on my pillow. We try too, but she's little and sweet and sometimes I just let her be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:While we all agree that it's gross, many cats climb on kitchen counters- our old cat never did, but I often came home from work to find her lounging on our dining room table. Just as gross because obviously, we eat there.

While cats on countertops are gross- many do it and I think the risks are small unless a) your cat is an outdoor cat and b) not on an anti-parasite medication. Also, keep in mind that most parasites are handily killed by heat.

Also, in practical terms, think of all of the cross contamination issues you would face if you prepared your food without a cutting board or temporary surface that you could thoroughly wash. In practical terms, your risk of illness is higher being cat-free and throwing a piece of raw pork or chicken directly on a countertop (imo).

We have a dog now (no cats), but dogs aren't thoroughly clean either. Mine tracks into the house all the time and won't stay off of the couch. I often find her snuggled in my bed with her head resting on my pillow. We try too, but she's little and sweet and sometimes I just let her be.

pp here- total ramble, sorry still caffeinating. My summary- it's gross, it's common and probably not much to worry about unless your cat has parasites and you prepare your food directly on the countertop (most people don't do this, I suspect). Also, it's perception- there are much riskier practices than a cat for cross contamination or consuming raw or heavily undercooked meat (many people probably eat undercooked meat on purpose or by accident from time to time).

[Anonymous]

Let the cat do it then pretend like he’s not allowed to do it if anyone sees him. This is what all the other cat owners I know do.

[Anonymous]

Does he only go up on one particular section of the counter? If so, maybe just kind of partition that off in your mind and maybe set up a boundary on the counter with a basket of fruit or something, to keep him contained to "his" section. And then don't worry about it. And don't admit it to friends/family and put him in the laundry room when you have people over!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let the cat do it then pretend like he’s not allowed to do it if anyone sees him. This is what all the other cat owners I know do.

“Muffin! Stop licking butter out of the butter dish! Ohmygosh she NEVER does that! What has gotten into you TODAY, you bad bad kitty!”