It also depends on the age of the cat. Kittens, with their short attention spans and capability to hold only one thought in their head at a time, need repeated discipline efforts, while older and calmer cats will be more considerate and more capable of understanding our preferences.
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The first step in any cat deterrent effort must be redirecting. If we find the cat messing with something they shouldn’t, we should think first of what we can substitute. It has to be a good substitute. Something that does not fulfill the need the cat is expressing will not appeal, anymore than a hard, dust-flavored, granola bar is an adequate substitute for a Krispy Kreme donut. In either case, it just doesn’t work.
Remember, the cat needs to have something to wrestle with. The cat needs something to scratch on. The cat needs to look out the window.
It’s not possible to change the cat’s needs.
However, there are things and places the cat simply should not be allowed to mess with, for their own safety. Electrical cords, kitchen counters, and the toilet paper are all items we want left in their original condition, and these do not fulfill the cat’s needs as well as toys and safe spots we make for them. If the cat has good substitutes, and needs to know this item or place is off limits, AND the cat has proved resistant to redirecting, it’s time to step up our efforts.
Sometimes, it’s a matter of getting the cat’s attention without yelling at them. They can be so absorbed in their illegal behavior they do not notice us. A clicker or clangy bell can be used to instantly get the cat’s attention so they can concentrate on our words. If that’s not enough, we can show our disapproval with a spray bottle or, in delicate areas, one of those cans of air that are used to clean electrical equipment.
This is a tool, and like all tools, should be used with restraint and wisdom. Just blasting the cat whenever they venture near something will create a stressed cat who will be driven to misbehave all the more. This is a last resort and should be treated as such.
The Magic of the Bottle or Can is that it is not connected with us. If we take direct action with the cat involving hitting, yelling, or throwing something at them, it will no longer be about whatever they are doing. It will be about us. It will be about the way we have suddenly become a terrifying giant who has unpredictably gone crazy.
There is no way the cat will connect what they are doing with how we have behaved. Because they are no longer thinking about what they are doing. They are thinking about getting away from us.
Punitive, physical methods always backfire. It only makes the cat afraid of us.
The Blaster of our choice lets the cat decide that when they do that, poor consequences follow. Then they make up their own mind to leave whatever it is, alone. This is how we counter the “But I want to!” with them deciding, “That’s no fun anymore.”
The Blaster works when we are on the scene. But what about when we are not? That’s when we have to get creative. We will come up with “cat traps.”
Cat traps are harmless booby traps that work without our presence.
If the cat is constantly jumping onto a high shelf or bookcase, an opened magazine, with half of it hanging down and half on the shelf, will not let them accomplish their goal. An empty plastic soda bottle balanced on the toilet paper will create a clattering alarm. Double-sided sticky tape on the edge of the couch will make the surface no good for scratching, and annoying enough to keep the cat off the counters.
A strip of cloth sprayed with orange or peppermint oil creates a scent cats dislike, and they will avoid the whole area, while we enjoy its freshening power. (It’s also why we should never use such strong smelling cleaners on their litter box!) Motion detector lights or alarms can be strategically placed to suddenly remind the cat, and get them to reconsider.
All of these cat traps can draw our attention to cat misbehavior if we are in another room, thus allowing us to come in and reinforce our reminder with some jolly “You are so busted!” ridicule, which the cat dislikes as much as the annoying or startling action of our cat trap.
Even if we are not around, the cat realizes they are not getting away with whatever it is. This takes the fun out of it. Once the cat decides the area or object is no longer so attractive, we can phase out our tricks. The memory will remain.
If we have a stubborn cat, or are simply not handy enough to come up with something ourselves, I have assembled a variety of Cat Training Aids, below, that might be just the ticket.
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There’s more to raising and training a cat with The Way of Cats than the article you are reading now. See my CAT TRAINING TIPS.
I tried everything to keep my cat off the counter and nothing worked until I found clicker training . It has saved me from chasing my cat off the counter constantly!
I’ve tried the water bottle, he lays there and basks in it like a kid with a sprinkler. We tried spaying areas with citrus and eucalyptus oil, he runs to that area and rolls around on the sprayed item as if it was the essence of life itself. There’s no way I’m sticking ugly tape on my couch. I’m not sure how to change this cats behavior but I’m at the end of my rope.
Well while he’s under the sprinkler, he’s not attacking the couch, right?
If he’s using the couch as a scratching post, he needs a scratching post that is heavy and sturdy like the couch. Does he have one? And remember; it’s not a post you like; it must be a post the cat likes.
Thanks so much for providing such a helpful and enlightening site! I feel like I understand my cats much better now – as much as mere humans can understand felines. I’m focusing more on redirecting than brandishing spray bottles and my frustration level has greatly declined now that I know why my cats do what they do. My kitties send their thanks as well.
One deterrent that I came up with recently and thought I’d share is to wipe down tasty-looking power cords and computer wires with rubbing alcohol. (Apparently lemon juice and hot sauce taste interesting to kittens that must try to eat anything they can fit in their mouths.) Also, corrugated cardboard scratching pads are great for cats that aren’t partial to carpet and sisal.
That tip about the rubbing alcohol sounds intriguing! Does it last?
Any ideas on how to “teach” a cat not quite 2 years old to quit batting every loose object she can find (vases, dishes, boxes, pencils, loose change, paintings she reaches by climbing on top of things)? We do things to redirect when we see her on the prowl. One of her favorites is to bat a chick pea or a pecan around the floor. Also, but less satisfying are bottle caps, empty thread spools, etc. But this does not seem to satisfy her need to find new things to knock over. When she knocks and breaks a vase or dish we yell “No” or “Bad,” so now when she does it seems like she knows she did bad. We’ve put away many of our favorite things to avoid them from being the next victim, but we can’t hide everything.
Jack, my cat does this too. I can’t leave my half-drunk soda bottles unsupervised because she loves to find their center of gravity and tap them juuuust under that so they go clattering to the floor, spilling everywhere. Pencils, bottle tops, hair elastics, erasers… anything that can roll or be batted will be. I’m okay with letting her play with bottle tops, but wish she’d leave my pencils alone. She just seems to want to know what they are, if they’re toys, and why I am so interested in them (I noticed all of the items are things I use all the time!) I give her “figure it out” type toys that keep her interested and things that mimic my items, and she seems happy.
Oh and for breakables that you can’t put out of kitty’s reach, double sided sticky tape on the bottoms works well to keep them from being knocked over
If the cats are playing with things they know you like and want and sometimes smell like you or that you use constantly… they are obviously seeking your attention. Give them a cuddle, play a game with them and whatever toy you have. Make sure they know that in the scheme of things, they’re more important than a vase or a pencil. Put a large paper bag on the floor and tap on the bottom of it, so they can run in, roll a ball past the end of it so they can chase it. (If you have two people, roll a ball down a hallway past the cat – that way they can watch or chase and retreat and hide if they wish and the ball will still come back). If it’s one of those stress balls that are soft, you can probably bounce it – cats love bouncing things too.
I have a question regarding my 2 six month old Devon Rex boys. I know the breed is notorious for counter surfing and stealing food, but these two are ridiculous. It’s gotten to the point where I can’t let them into our living room/kitchen area at all as they try to sneak scraps out of the garbage or they run around on the counter tops. They are very well fed and looked after, so the constant scrounging for food is driving me mad. I’ve tried spraying them with water, but it has no effect on them. I’m honestly at my wits’ end. Is this just the age of naughtiness, or is there a way I can let them into the kitchen one day and be able to trust them? Please help!!!!
I did one I call The Begging.
But in your case, with 2 young Alphas, the best possibility is that they now see it as a game. They need a new game.
Create an entirely new and different routine, and start blocking off the counters until they learn it. At the same time, come up with a game they both love (since they like to outwit you, give them another way to do it) and play that if they go a certain amount of time (very short at first) that they can go in the kitchen, WITHOUT jumping up on the counters.
Rexes are part “monkey” and need a ladder or bookcase in the kitchen that they can climb. If they don’t have that, they will use what’s handy.
i need some desparate help ! …. i cant take it anymore i have tried everything i have a 11 month old nutered male and a 5 month old female and there sooo bad ! whatever one does the other follows having a christmas tree with presents is a nightmare ! i woke up this morning to find out of the presents unwrapped and shredded… they are fine when someone is home but once we go to bed or leave its like the whole house is a play ground ive tried noise makers and a spray bottle nothing discourages them
kristina´s last [type] ..Sharing the same space
At this age they do think the whole house is a playground. Can you restrict them to one room when you aren’t around?
Try using a Kitty Kong and put a treat or the paste that comes with the Kong. My cat loves it and it keeps her busy, instead of climbing all over the furniture, counters and my laptop. Hope this helps
I have two 18 month old male cats and they have a nasty habit of going potty outside the litter box and my roommate/sister is getting to the point of getting rid of the cats. She has unfortunately already resorted to physical punishment by taking them to the area where they pottied and swatting their behinds like you would a dog, but it seems that they haven’t learned. I need some suggestions so that I don’t come home to a cat free home one day!
I am sure you have already seen that this does not work at all. In fact, it undermines the trust which makes cats want to please us. My post on Litter Tips and Tricks might help, and there is a whole bunch of information in my eBook, Cat 911.