My 5mo kittens have definitely learned that the table and counter are off limits when we are in the house. All we have to do is look at them, they freeze and then quickly jump down. And they still cuddle on my lap despite me spraying them with water.

But, they are also still naturally curious. They will get into anything that we leave out. Set a grocery bag on the floor while I'm unloading groceries, and a cat will be inside of it by the time I bring the next load in from the car. Leave a bowl sitting on the edge of the table, and the cats will sit on a chair and paw at it to get inside. Leave a sealed package of cookies sitting on the coffee table, and they will go nuts trying to get it open. So we have definitely learned to not leave anything sitting out that cats shouldn't get into. I guess the cats have trained us as much as we have trained them?

Anonymous wrote:Call me crazy, but just make sure all food is put away.

Signed,
Owner of 3 cats
Do not punish animals for human laziness

+1

Yes, you can train them. Don't keep things out unattended on the counter. It is self-rewarding when they get the food.

Are you feeding them enough? In quality and quantity? What is the protein content of their food? You should have at least 40%. Go look at Orijen or Stella & Chewy-they both have 40%. Give them some sardines in oil, too, if you don't upgrade their food.

Another reason is that they are in pain. However, it is more likely they are hungry and not full. No, 35% protein is not enough, especially to fill up an active and growing kitten.

The spraying being ineffective is true. Fix the feeding issue and they won't desire to be on the counter. Otherwise, just run a cleaner home and keep counters clean and clear until the behavior pattern is broken.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is why I don’t like to go to homes with cats. Just knowing they can jump onto counters makes me want to vomit.

Oh my god, SAME! I am so disgusted by cats. Never mind that they walk in their own poop.

They do not walk in their own poop. They are very clean animals. But their mouths are filthy. I would never let a cat eat my food. OP, you've got to get a grip on this. Shout at them and clap your hands whenever you catch them doing that -- and put your food away. If you feel slightly nauseous, it's from the cats eating your food.

Why are cats considered clean animals, because they lick themselves?

Because dogs will actually roll in poop or any rotten thing they find in addition to eating it. Cats are 'clean' by comparison.

But dogs allow themselves to be bathed.

Anonymous wrote:Also teach them the word "no!"
they understand this

the best you can train cats is not to do things when you're looking.

This is true.

I'd get out of the habit of leaving food on the counter anyway.

The cats will end up doing you more favors than this inconvenience will cause. I'd just remove the temptations, pick them up off the counter while saying "no" when I catch them there, and not worry about it.

Do you have a few ants on your counter? If the cats are really persistent, they may be alerting to the ants.

Call me crazy, but just make sure all food is put away.

Signed,
Owner of 3 cats
Do not punish animals for human laziness

Spraying them definitely works and does not make the cat fear you. They quickly understand if they do the undesirable behavior they will be sprayed. It doesn't make them think you're scary, they will still come to you for affection and treats. Most of them learn to recognize the spray bottle so after a few weeks you only have to raise the bottle and shake it and they'll run.