Having a pet in your home is a joy. And new troubles. The fluffy ball is trying to climb higher and taste everything. It can be difficult to stop a cat from climbing on a table. A selection of clever life hacks from experienced owners will help you cope with this difficult task. Thanks to these tips, even the most ill-mannered cat will become an exemplary pet.
Causes of lawlessness
To catch a cat, you need to think like a cat. Therefore, first you should figure out why the fluffy climbs onto the dining table. There could be a lot of reasons for this.
Why does the cat walk on the table?
- He is exploring . Little kittens ignore rules unconsciously. Kids explore the world and try not to miss a single interesting detail. Everything needs to be sniffed and knocked over.
- Delicious smell . As a rule, the table smells of food, and it’s rare that a cat doesn’t stretch out its muzzle to catch the smell of meat. But animals have a much stronger sense of smell, so they can even smell traces of food. This is why cats jump even on an empty table.
- Passion for heights . Predators like to climb trees to observe their territory from above. There are no tall plants at home, so we have to adapt.
- Plots a route . Sometimes the table is not the end point of the cat's route. If the furniture is on the way to the window, the woolen one will walk along it without even noticing his “misdeed.”
- It's getting warm . Sometimes the floor is cold or there are drafts. Heat-loving cats are looking for a secluded place to sleep, and this place can even be the dining tabletop.
- Craves attention . The most risky stock. Some cats sit right in front of their owner while he's having dinner. It is unlikely that they are praised for this, but pets try to attract the owner’s attention with their immodest persona.
No matter how beloved your pet is, it is not advisable for him to climb onto the table. Firstly, there may be food there that animals should not eat. Secondly, hygiene must be maintained. After all, the paws that stepped on the table had just come out of the toilet. Don't forget about wool. They say that in a house where there is a cat, lint is a seasoning. But it is better to eliminate this “spice” from food.
Simple life hacks from experienced owners will help you wean your cat off this bad habit.
Why the kitchen table attracts animals
How to stop a cat from climbing on the table
Having figured out the methods of influence that will help wean your pet from walking on the table, it is worth understanding why they generally like to be in territory that is forbidden to them. The answer to this question lies in several reasons.
Curiosity
First of all, the reason for such chaos is cat curiosity. This is an innate character trait, so the cat will always climb into all corners of the house, as well as pieces of furniture. New interesting objects that the owner brings home will always be the center of attention of the animal. The objects on the table will not be left out of attention.
Curiosity attracts cats to the table
To prevent a curious animal from being interested in climbing onto the kitchen table, you just need to remove all objects from it and leave it completely empty.
Advice! It is worth pushing all the chairs around the table under the table.
Search for food
Cats love to steal food from humans. Everyone knows that instincts are developed not only in wild animals, but also in domestic cats, so they consider stolen food to be their rightful prey. You can combat this in the following way: after a meal, put all food in the refrigerator, carefully collect leftover food, wiping the surface.
The cat climbs onto the table for food
Desire to rest
Furry friends love to sleep where the aroma of food is present. Sitting on the tabletop, like on a bed, and stretching out to their full height, they feel quite comfortable. To avoid such arrogant behavior, you need to equip a special place for your pet where he will feel good and cozy.
Advice! Since cats like to climb higher, to enhance the effect, you can put a cat resting place, for example, on a nightstand.
Cat in a cozy lounger
Love for heights
Four-legged pets like to watch what is happening from above. They climb higher and from there they look at what is happening below. Basically, this behavior can be noticed when there are several animals living in the house.
In this case, the owner will come to the aid of a special shelf that needs to be hung in the kitchen. It will serve as an “observation post.” If a cat jumps on the table, you need to shush him and move him to a personal shelf.
Cats love to climb higher
Finding a warm place
During the cold season, cats are always looking for warm places for themselves. As you know, warm air rises, so animals consider a table an excellent place for a cozy pastime.
To keep your pet warm outside the kitchen countertop area, you need to build a hammock for him near the radiator or move a chair next to it. It is also necessary to remove the desk lamp and laptop from the table after using them, as they also emit heat, attracting unwanted attention.
Warm place for the cat
Hunting instinct
Cats are natural hunters. If the table is near the window, then the animal can sit on it to watch what is happening on the street through the window. Cats can follow a fly, a bird or the glare of the sun.
In this situation, it is necessary to curtain the window or act more radically and move the table to another place. There is another, more cunning option: you can hang a bird feeder opposite another window, thereby providing the animal with a new place to observe.
If you find out the answers to the questions why cats like to jump on the table and why it is dangerous, it will be easier to deal with this problem. A few simple ways will help you fight your pet’s bad habit. Having studied these methods, pet owners will be able to easily put all the tips into practice. You just need to be patient, spend a little time, and everything will definitely work out.
Unexpected fall
The method is somewhat inhumane, but one session may be enough for the cat to forget the way to the table. To carry out the plan, you will need a lightweight plastic tray.
The tabletop is furnished with “inconvenient” objects so that only one side remains free. Bottles and pots will come in handy as an impromptu fence. Place the tray on the free side, pushing it slightly beyond the edge of the tabletop. You can pour some water into the tray itself.
Further events can be predicted. The cat doesn't want to jump on the tray, but there is no choice, because the whole table is occupied. The animal jumps, knocking over the tray. Water pours onto the cat, and the container itself falls to the floor with a crash.
After such a procedure, the pet will not dare to explore the table for a long time. For greater effect, the grief tray can be left in sight for several days.
Why is a cat interested in a table?
In fact, there are not many reasons why a cat often visits the surface of the table. One of the most common is curiosity. You could easily leave something interesting on the table, and the cat decided to check out the unidentified object. If you want to prevent your pet from jumping on the table, you should not leave objects on it that are worthy of your pet’s attention.
In addition, if the cat is hungry or thirsty, then trying to find food on the table will be a great idea for him. In such cases, it is best to monitor whether there is food on his plate and whether the water in his bowl is clean.
Many cats feel that their place to rest is not comfortable enough, so lying on a table is the best option for them. In order to prevent this disgrace, try to make every effort to make the cat feel comfortable and cozy in other places in the apartment. Then he will definitely not be entertained by thoughts of sneaking onto your table.
It is recommended to purchase a cat house that will be located at a height of a meter from the floor. It will arouse much more interest in your pet, especially a young one, and he will stop paying attention to most of the furniture in the apartment.
Foil covering
The method is similar to the previous one, but is more secure. This method is not suitable for small kittens. It is better to use it against adult, conscious offenders. Regular foil will help stop cats from climbing on the table.
The edges of the table top are wrapped in food foil, pressing it down slightly. The layer will quickly take the shape of the tabletop and will not give itself away.
Next, the cat tries to jump in a familiar pattern. His front paws catch on the foil and it slides off. The animal falls.
It may take several approaches and a whole roll of foil, but sooner or later the effect will be noticeable. The cat will give up the obsession.
How to make a table uninteresting for a cat
If the cat eats enough and still steals food by climbing on the table out of curiosity, then start with gentle methods. Try to make him lose interest in the table. Firstly, after eating, food must be removed so that nothing remains on the surface that attracts the animal. If there is no research item left, the cat may lose interest in the table.
If the table is empty almost all the time, but the cat still jumps there, it means that it is not food that attracts him. Animals love to watch what is happening from above. In this case, set up a tree house for your pet. A tall scratching post, a climbing tree, or a shelf against the wall will do.
Perhaps the cat found shelter on the table from small children or from the dog? Make sure you have a quiet and secluded area for him. The same applies to the desire to create a warm, cozy place to sleep. This is especially true in winter. Set up a cat bed near the radiator. You can rearrange the chair. And if the table is located by the window and serves as an observation point, then rearrange the kitchen.
Scented repeller
A cat's nose is the strongest indicator of odors. It can capture aroma in just a few molecules. And strong and intrusive odors act like an explosion on animals.
To stop your cat from visiting the table, it is enough to “scent” the tabletop with unpleasant odors for your pet:
- You can rub the surface with a piece of lemon or orange. The method is effective, but the scent will have to be updated periodically.
- Natural aromatic oils . It is enough to saturate the fabric with them and leave it on the table. No cat will go into the danger zone. However, it is worth choosing pleasant options so as not to wean your household away from the table.
- Aroma lamp . A good way to wean your pet and at the same time transform the atmosphere in the house. The same aromatic oils are poured into the lamp, a drop of water is added and the candle is lit. A floral train will turn the table into a real cat's nightmare.
The disadvantage of aromatherapy is that the cat can overcome irritation in order to still explore the table. And if she stepped over herself once, then no smells will be scary to her anymore.
How to wean a kitten
These methods are good to use if the cat is an adult or a teenager. If a kitten has acquired the habit of climbing on tables, then it also needs to be weaned from this. You need to influence a very small animal not as extreme as in the above methods, but more loyally.
Essential oils
You need to soak the tablecloth with aromatic essential oils. Fluffies really do not like the smell of citrus fruits, lavender and rosemary, so they will not approach a place that emits an unpleasant aroma for them.
Advice! If you don’t want to soak the tablecloth, you can do it simpler - spread citrus peels on the table surface.
Scare
You can try to scare the kitten as it prepares to jump. Of course, this should be done not aggressively and without unnecessary noise. For example, you can throw a small soft toy at it or gently spray water from a spray bottle.
In order for the kitten to understand that the unpleasant action occurred precisely when trying to climb onto a piece of furniture, you need to make sure that he does not see that the owner is performing all these actions. Otherwise, the kitten will not develop this instinct.
Do something else
It is necessary to buy toys for your baby. There are times when a kitten climbs onto pieces of furniture in search of missing toys, or if he is already bored with the ones he has. The conclusion suggests itself - you need to go to the pet store and buy everything necessary for entertainment for your pet. At the same time, you should remove from the table everything that might interest the kitten so that it loses all interest in it.
Using the methods listed above, you can easily wean your cat from jumping on the countertop.
Sticky method
According to reviews from owners, this method can be considered the most effective. You will need tape or sticky tape. You can also use double-sided stationery.
A so-called sticky perimeter is constructed on the table. Place tape on all edges with the adhesive side facing up. When the cat decides to land on the countertop, its paws will become glued. You will have to lick the pads for a long time and remember your fiasco.
Several features of the method:
- The owner must understand that he will also have to work hard. It’s not easy to clean the table from double-sided tape, so it’s better to use regular tape and struggle with securing it.
- The method is only suitable for short-haired breeds. If a piece of tape sticks to a fur coat of a fluffy cat, it will have to be cut off.
- It is better to wean small kittens from the table in other ways. A young pet may become frightened, thinking that it has fallen into a trap. And his strength is not enough to peel off the tape on his own.
- It is better not to leave the cat alone with the trap. Some animals react in ways that are not entirely predictable. Playful cats try to attack the “grabbing” one. In this case, the pet may be completely wrapped in tape, from where it will have to be rescued.
Reasons why cats do this
Our furry pets can climb onto the table for several reasons. Leaving candy wrappers or cellophane bags on the table, having noticed them, your pet will certainly take advantage of the opportunity and try to get the rustling object, and if you are lucky, try the treats left on the table.
The main reasons why cats climb on the kitchen table, window sills and all places of interest to them is excessive curiosity, manifestation of predatory instincts, dominance over other pets in the house, to show and prove their superiority.
The mustachioed friend is designed in such a way that on an instinctive level he must control everything that happens around him. To do this, he needs to constantly be on top. Window sills become the first places for fluffy ones to love. This way they can see all household members and the overall picture of what is happening.
If an unknown object appears in the room, the cat will immediately go to it to find out and sniff out what it is and how it can be used for personal purposes. Is it possible to play with it, can it be chewed and what danger does it pose?
Personally, our cat chewed everything that was metal. Place a pair of wire cutters next to her and she would immediately start gnawing on the metal part of them! If you left a metal rod next to her, she would start gnawing on that too. Curiosity or lack of iron in the body? Unclear.
The character and temperament of cats plays an important role. As the upbringing progressed, it could turn out that the furry friend became a thief. He is interested in receiving a reward while no one is watching. This is a natural manifestation of predator instincts. All the reward that he was able to steal from the table is considered loot.
Comfort for the cat is also important. She is looking for a cozy and warm place, preferably where there is the smell of food. A bakery at a bakery factory or a hot shop at a sausage factory is an ideal place for furry inhabitants. But we are in the house.
A feeling of superiority is a normal state for a cat. She understands that besides her, no one sits in this place, sleeps, much less walks. This place is becoming a favorite. Taking a nap here and stretching out to your full height is a great joy. And it doesn’t matter that it’s the kitchen table where the whole family eats.
If there is one or more cats living in the house, then it is obvious what is happening. Constant control of what is happening below gives the furry the advantage of dominance. Don’t be surprised if one of the cats, or maybe in turns, occupy high positions, including dining areas, cabinets with food and dishes, and chairs become a small obstacle that is a pleasure to overcome.
Stopping a cat from climbing on a table is not an easy task. Here there is a struggle with instincts, a struggle with the predator itself by nature. If there are several animals in the house, then work with overcoming fears, unity and friendship of pets.
If you live in a private house, you have often observed that your mustachioed friend is lying on the stove in a special niche where you can dry firewood, shoes, perhaps there is a warm fur coat (if it is a Russian stove). This is a favorite and warm place for a cat, especially in winter, when the doors to the hut are constantly opening and puffs of cold air creep across the floor.
If the kitchen table is located next to the window sill and there are no flowers on it, it is not curtained with curtains or tulle, then you are not surprised that the pet often visits the table. He needs to get on the windowsill to look out the window what is happening on the street.
Our cat loves to sit on the window and watch what is happening. The window sill in the bedroom is her favorite place. We do not interfere with her at all, but on the contrary, we open the curtains so that she can enjoy watching the cats run through the snowdrifts. She is homemade and has never seen anything like this. All this is new and unexplored for her.
Splashes and waves
Not a bad method, but its implementation will require the constant presence of the owner. And during the experiment, the friendship between a person and a cat may suffer.
So, every time the cat jumps on the table, he is sprayed with warm water from a spray bottle. And every time he certainly gets angry with the person, because the shooter will not be able to go unnoticed.
The duration of the method depends on the cat’s persistence. Some test subjects stop trying after the first shower. For others, it will take a few generous waves to learn the lesson. If you act systematically, you can wean your cat off the table very quickly.
The disadvantage of the method is that the cat will clearly associate the owner’s person with the intrusive splashes. Therefore, she will certainly walk around the table when left alone at home. Leaving valuables and food in plain sight is not recommended.
Effective methods
There are several ways to stop a cat from climbing on a table, shared by their owners. These methods have been used by animal lovers more than once, so their experience can be trusted.
The kitchen table is one of the favorite places for cats.
When exchanging experiences, the animal owners came to the conclusion that aggressive actions will not lead to the desired effect: the cat will regard them as a personal attitude towards her, and will not understand the owner’s indignation regarding her presence on the table. As a result, she will not only continue to climb onto the table, but will also harbor a grudge against the owner.
Important! Under no circumstances should you beat an animal or pour water on it.
Empty tin cans
Place tin cans in the middle of the table surface. The idea behind this method is that cats don’t like loud noises. The next time he “conquers” the kitchen table, the fluffy will probably drop at least one of these cans, creating an unpleasant crash. The animal will react instantly and run away.
Using tin cans
Baking tray with water
Place a baking sheet or tray filled with water in the center of the table. Everyone knows that in 99% of cases our smaller brothers avoid contact with water. When trying to jump onto the surface, the cat will wet its paws and immediately leave the “scene”.
Using a baking tray
Scotch
Cover the surface of the piece of furniture with tape. It can be classic or double-sided. When the cat climbs onto the table, the tape will stick to its paws. The animal will begin to intensively wave its paws in an attempt to get rid of foreign objects it does not understand. Since cats are very clean by nature, after such an “adventure” she will lick her dirty paw pads for a long time and is unlikely to want to repeat the experiment.
Using tape
Foil
Place sheets of foil along the edges of the table. This should be done in such a way that part of the foil hangs off the table. Just like noise, pets do not like the sound of rustling foil. In addition, cats are uncomfortable with the feeling that occurs when their paw comes into contact with metal foil, so they will definitely avoid these places.
Using foil
If you use one of the listed methods, then the cat, finding itself on the table with a “trap,” may experience shock. When the animal starts to run away in panic, it may hit the corner of the back of the chair hard and get hurt.
The kindest way
Rumor has it that there is an owner who managed to raise a cat using this method. But only owners with colossal patience and nerves of steel can use it. The method is to distract the animal and encourage good behavior.
Every time the cat tries to climb onto the table, the cat is distracted. You can simply call her or lure her with food. Kittens are attracted to play. By replacing your pet’s motivation with a stronger one, you can wean him off a bad habit.
If the cat jumped on the table for the owner's attention, then attempts to attract the person will become stronger. When the pet has become too intrusive, it is enough to regularly play with it to drive it away from the kitchen table.
Preventive measures
Everything ingenious is simple - if your cat makes periodic pilgrimages to the table for food, if possible, remove all treats from their reach. Leftover sausage or smoked fish can attract the attention of even a well-fed, happy pet. Strong odors will simply oblige your pet to go scouting.
The absence of objects on the table will significantly reduce the cat's interest
One of the possible reasons for a cat's love for kitchen surfaces is malnutrition. Sometimes the owner simply does not put enough food into the bowl; sometimes the composition of this food does not provide a sufficient amount of nutrients.
If you “pamper” your pet with food from the supermarket, get ready for frequent bursts of appetite. Cheap food is an analogue of human fast food - they lull hunger only for a couple of hours, being useless dummies.
The sooner the cat learns the word “no,” the better the life together will be.
Remember that the tricks that will be described above can be avoided if you start raising a pet from an early age. The “no” command must be learned by every pet. The sooner the kitten gets used to the fact that the owner’s word is law, the easier it will be to interact with him in the future. Of course, cats cannot be trained like dogs. But they are able to pick up human intonations and assimilate the desired reaction from them.
Extreme measures
If water and tape don't work, it's time to move on to the big guns. The method can be considered a last resort, so it is better to resort to it after the previous points.
Pet stores sell special contact mats to stop cats from climbing on tables. The principle of operation is amazingly simple. As soon as a cat's paw touches the surface, that same paw is struck by a current discharge. The voltage in the device is small, so it won’t harm the animal’s health, but it can easily ruin his mood and turn the affectionate Barsik into a nervous furball.
If the need for weaning is more important than the moral state of the cat, you can buy a mat. It is better to do the weaning procedure under close supervision.
Ways to teach your pet a lesson
If a cat climbs on the kitchen table, you need to stop such liberties. There is no point in throwing a kitten off the surface or hitting it. You won’t achieve full results, but you can ruin your relationship with your cat. Let's look at the main ways to raise your pet.
Scaring sounds
In order to wean your cat from climbing on work surfaces in the kitchen, leave tin trays or bowls in the center of the countertop. The next time the animal jumps there, the dishes will fly down with a crash. Such a sound will certainly frighten your pet, and if not the first time, then after several such situations he will forget about this surface.
Since your furry pet doesn’t like loud, unpleasant sounds too much, you can take advantage of this in the process of instilling good manners in him. Cover the tabletop with foil or plastic bags. When the cat starts rustling on the table with its paws, it will simply be afraid of the effect.
Strong odors
If the cat continues to climb onto the table, it’s time to use pungent scents, because they can also scare the animal. A good way out of the situation would be to treat the countertop with a vinegar solution. Of course, the smell will persist for some time, but the cat will stop dozing on this surface.
Alternatively, place a few wedges of fresh lemon on the table or sprinkle some lemon juice on your napkins. The cat also does not like the aroma of citrus fruits, and this is worth remembering if you want to wean her from climbing on the table.
Irritating surface
When a kitten jumps on the table, it is important to promptly fix in his mind the not-so-pleasant associations with such a process. To do this, place a baking tray with cold water in the center of the surface and wait until your cat decides to try his luck again. After a swim, the pet will be seriously scared, so it is unlikely to try to climb onto the table again.
Watch the cat during the process. If she suddenly decides to be cautious and bypass the baking sheet, place her paws in the water. In this case, a reflex will be fixed in her consciousness: the table is an unpleasant place for her. True, it is quite possible that you will have to repeat this procedure.
Double-sided tape should also be considered an irritating surface. You can use it to cover your kitchen work surface. A cat, having once walked across such a table, will no longer want to repeat its experience. However, keep in mind that peeling off the tape is not so easy.
Radical methods
You can wean your cat from walking on the table using more radical methods. Buy a special electric mat, spread it on the countertop and connect it to the network. The cat will receive a light shock as soon as he jumps in there again. Such measures will once and for all help your pet forget about his favorite prank. There is no need to worry about the cat’s health - a little current will not harm it in any way, but you will certainly achieve the desired effect.
Why, according to signs, cats lie down on the table
In the old days, cats were present as pets in almost every home: they protected supplies from mice, and served as predictors of the weather and the future. Our ancestors believed that cats were amazing creatures with an unusually accurate sense of smell, capable of warning their owners about natural disasters and impending problems. Therefore, the behavior and reactions of the pets were carefully remembered and analyzed. Knowledge was passed on to descendants in the form of folk signs designed to help interpret the strange habits of domestic cats.
According to ancient superstitions, cats sense danger and see otherworldly entities better than other animals, so they always try to settle where negative energy invisible to human eyes moves. Thus, by absorbing negative currents, cats protect their owners.
If your pet suddenly changes its habits of sleeping on a soft sofa and suddenly moves to the table, this is a serious sign that is worth paying attention to.
This is how the cat tries to warn its owners about upcoming changes in life. To find out what your pet’s behavior indicates, you need to clarify all the details.
The interpretation will take into account the pet’s posture
The posture of a cat lying on the table can also indicate impending changes. Folk signs say the following:
- If the pet constantly turns and stretches , it means worsening weather and cold weather.
- Dozing peacefully and calmly - to changes on the love front, problems at work or minor everyday troubles in the house.
- Settled on its side and washing itself - the pet warns of a visit from uninvited guests or an imminent meeting with friends.
- Purrs loudly, hisses, or acts restless. This behavior portends a serious disaster: a fire, gas leak or robbery. The owner should be careful not to scold the cat for trying to help.
Cats are amazing creatures that sense many things hidden from humans and try to warn the owner. When choosing a place and position for sleeping, the pet thus gives clues to the owners, so you should not ignore the cat’s oddities. It is better to be careful once again and play it safe, because it was not for nothing that our ancestors unconditionally believed in tailed purrs.
