How to wean a cat to climb tables: 6 ways

Cats by their nature are quite active, they are difficult to train and consider themselves masters of the universe. For this reason, it is very difficult to re-educate a pet if the habit has already taken root. Four-legged friends love heights, they often find a cozy spot on a cupboard, windowsill or kitchen table. Regarding the latter case, some pets even manage to fall asleep next to food, which, in fact, is considered unhygienic. Pet owners clutch their heads, wanting to wean a pet from climbing tables.

Reasons for cats to climb the table

Before talking about the correct methods of education, it is necessary to identify the true motives for the actions of the pet. Consider the important aspects in order.

1. The underlying cause of this behavior of cats is considered to be curiosity and fussiness. Cats are extremely inquisitive, any unfamiliar object will interest them, as if by magic. Four-legged friends are happy to master every corner of the apartment, so they climb onto the table if the owner inadvertently left a tempting thing. To cope with a curious creature and suppress interest, remove everything from the table. Leave the surface empty, over time, the pet will stop climbing there. In cases where the kitchen set is not covered with a tablecloth, wipe the surface with vinegar or lemon / orange juice, cats do not like such aromas.
2. The next reason for misbehavior is theft of food from the master's table. Since domesticated animals are partly predators by nature, they consider the stolen piece to be their prey. As in the previous case, there is only one solution - put food in the refrigerator, leaving the surface perfectly clean and empty. Always wipe the table, clean off crumbs and stains from food so that no odors remain. When there is no food on the kitchen set, there is nothing to steal. At the same time, it is important not to leave the cat hungry, before leaving the house, change its water and pour food.
3. No matter how ridiculous it may sound, many animals sleep where it smells of food. Add to this the height at which the countertop is located, from here a favorite place appears. Cats feel comfortable when they are stretched to their full height, they consider being on the table a kind of ritual. The four-legged pets of the family realize that no one else is sitting here, therefore they feel a kind of superiority. To wean a cat from such manners, equip her with a comfortable bed or a house in which she will sleep with pleasure. If possible, put the pet’s dwelling upstairs, it can be a closet or a cupboard.
4. Another common reason for cats on the table is their love of high surfaces. The animal observes what is happening below. Habits are formed in cases when not one cat lives in the apartment, but several. A special device in the form of a shelf located just above the table or away from it will help wean the pet. Attach the stand to the wall, put the cat there and let her know that the view is much better from here. When the animal once again decides to climb on the table, say "Shhh!" and transfer it to the equipped observation platform.
5. In winter, cats try to find a warm place, as a rule, it is located high. For this reason, pets climb onto the table in the hope that there is less blowing. Build a hammock for the animal, attach it to heating radiators or to another warm object. You can also slide the chair by placing it next to a heat source. When leaving the apartment, turn off the laptop, put it in a drawer, and not on a table.Turn off the table lamp, because these objects attract animals, especially in the winter season.
6. Cats love to sit on the windowsills and watch the events taking place on the street. If the table is nearby, the pet will unconsciously sit on it, wanting to find a favorable view for itself. You just have to try to switch his attention by curtaining the curtains with an opaque tulle or moving the table to another place. You can do trickier by specially luring the cat to watch from a different angle. In this case, hang bird feeders on the windowsill in the room or living room, feed the pigeons daily and invite the cat to watch the event.

Effective ways to wean a cat to climb the table

1. Toy pistol. Many cats do not like water. If your pet belongs to this number of pets, feel free to proceed with the manipulations. When the cat climbs onto the table once again, sprinkle it with water from a toy gun or make a spray bottle yourself by piercing several holes in the bottle. The animal will immediately jump and try to escape, do not let it do so. Raise your pet in your arms and spray again. If the pet does not understand the pointer, next time remove it from the table, then lower it into a basin of water. Repeat each time until the cat understands what is good and what is bad.
2. Food foil. Cats do not like smooth rustling surfaces, so you need to create the most adverse conditions for the pet. Cover the countertop with baking foil, fixing it at the edges. Stick on top a few wide strips of double-sided tape. When the pet once again decides to climb onto the table, he will encounter a real nightmare: the paws will stick to the surface, and the claws will slide on the aluminum foil, making unpleasant sounds and giving out the location. After 3-5 days of such manipulations, the pet will forget the way to the kitchen.
3. The smell of citrus fruits. Get essential oil of any citrus from a pharmacy or cosmetic store; grapefruit is considered the most effective. Spray cotton napkins with this product, spread them on the surface of the table. Cats do not like such aromas, so the pet will stop climbing on the table after the first contact. You can also spread fresh peels of orange, grapefruit or lemon on the countertop, they are less weak, but effective. A cat repeller is available at the pet store. Consider this option as well.
4. Balloons. Many people know that cats have surprisingly sensitive hearing; use this feature for your own needs. Take 10 balloons, show them to the cat, leave the pet for a while so that he familiarizes himself with the attribute. After that, raise the ball, step aside and burst it in front of the animal. Repeat with each subsequent item. After 10 piercing explosions, the cat will be afraid to go up to the balls. You just have to place a few more items on the table and voila, the scarecrow is ready. You can use any other items that make noise. For example, buy crackers, do the same with them as with balls.
5. Baking tray with water. Use one more option of weaning a cat with water. Slide all the chairs and stools under the table, remove the tablecloth. Fix a baking sheet on the surface of the countertop using double-sided tape, pour cold water 1 cm deep. When the cat decides to jump onto the table, it will automatically fall into the trap, so it will quickly jump out. If your pet is persistent and tries to bypass the device, forcibly put her paws in the water.
6. Electric mat. If all of the above methods have not helped, and the cat is still climbing the table, resort to more effective methods. Buy an electric mat or massage sheet in the cabin, spread it on the countertop and connect it to the network.While on the table, the cat will begin to receive electric charges, which in itself is unpleasant. The animal will remember the mini-strike for a long time, as a result of which it will no longer climb into forbidden places.

Do not resort to physical violence, do not lock the cat in the bathroom or on the balcony, be more cunning. Effective techniques will help achieve results in a matter of days, be patient. Conduct educational work until the pet is aware of its oversight. The most effective methods are using water, they are suitable for both adults and small kittens.

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