October 27th, 2009
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It can be really irritating to have a cat who insists on jumping up on your kitchen counters and trying to get at the food you’re cooking.
If he does it when you’re in the kitchen preparing food, you may be able to discourage him by saying “no” very sharply and loudly while clapping your hands together to drive him off. Make sure you are not feeding him little snacks while you’re cooking, because that simply teaches him to jump and beg. Radio show host and pet expert Tracie Hotchner is the author of The Dog Bible and The Cat Bible. Click here to follow her on Twitter. |
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ha ha i feel our kitten “snacks” when cooking… i.e. she eats every little crumb that falls to the floor…
yeah, it works
but only with one cat, another is so stubborn 
Ha! If it were only that easy! I’ve been doing this for an entire MONTH with my cat and he still hasn’t gotten the point.
Re: begging. Our big yellow cat (Lucas) begs. I can tell him a firm “NO” and he will make a little protesting meow and turn and walk away . . . for a while.
A clap and a firm voice is all that is needed to get a cat’s attention no matter what the bad behavior.
A water pistol in the worst case.
Hitting a cat only teaches it that you are a source of pain.
We have, among other fur kids, an Apple Head Siamese Seal Point who once in a while bites. He got me the other night and I clapped my hands once and said no. He hauled butt downstairs and out the cat door. He is an adopted stray, but he is learning.
BTW He has shockingly blue eyes so we call him Frank Sinatra
When Max started jumping on the counter for snacks while I was cooking, I too started using a firm “NO”, but I added a second step! I started giving him a small piece, but only on the floor after he jumped down. He now realizes that the only way he will get a sample is if he jumps on the floor and waits by my feet. We are both much happier this way and get the best of both worlds! For me – he’s off of the counter and I get lots of love while he’s waiting, and for him – well he gets lots of love too, but also the treat!
Ashley just waits and begs on the floor so I give her small pieces. I won’t feed her if she is on the counter. She seems to realize it. Cats are smart. LOL!
Spitfire begs politely! (he stays on the floor, sits up on his hind legs, & looks so cute!)!:
http://www.catster.com/cats/938978
I have taught my cats not to beg. When I eat I say to them are you begging and they jump down, as if they know that they should not be near human food. I also taught them that when I am getting their breakfast or dinner ready they sit by me as I am filling their bowls and I tell them they have to wait their turn. Believe it or not they will wait until I put their bowls on the mat where they eat. People say cats can’t be trained, well mine are and it is easy if you are consistant with it.
I love how many of you have kitty cats as kitchen helpers! I think the idea of giving the occasional tidbit (but only on the floor) is the better way to handle this – at least it keeps them off the counter itself. Bon appetit!
Trouble can’t get on the counters yet,but I’m sure she will. She wants a taste of everything that I eat. Of course I give her a little taste, just not too much. She doesn’t need any health problems. I’m trying to break her of that habit with cookies instead of our food. Talk mto ya later, Tracey
Please no “cookies” Tracey!! You can use little pieces of cheese or chicken as a treat (and as a a bribe to stay off!) or any of the wonderful dried “Live-a-Little” protein treats from HALO made of beef, chicken or salmon. PETCO’s natural foods section now carries them (the dog section, but don’t let that stop you!! It is the same treat for a dog or cat because it is pure protein – just dried, human-grade meat.