What in the heck got into this cat?

[eaglesprings]

We've had her for a little over four years. As with most of our other cats, I've had to teach her to stay off the dining room table, but I've never had a problem with her wanting to jump on the kitchen cabinets.

Now, all of a sudden, just today, in fact, she decides she likes her "new perch." On top of the toaster oven in the kitchen? Strange! Very strange!

I've chased her off a few times today, but for some reason, she wants to be there! I gotta break this, and soon! One of these days, that oven is going to be on, and she's gonna regret it!! And, I don't want the vet bill (or worse.)

What possessed her after all this time to claim the toaster oven?

[Wilson]

It's metal, no? My guess is that it's just nice & cool for her to lay on. It's hot out there! How often do you use it? Can it be stored in the cabinets or pantry until you need to use it again?

[Wilson]

Oh, and the training tool that has worked best for all our pets is a misting bottle of water. I've never tried to keep my cat off the countertops, though. FWIW, I do think she'll be able to sense if the toaster oven is hot and not try to lay on it.

[eaglesprings]

Hi, Wilson: I use it on a daily basis -- sometimes twice a day. My storage space in this house is really limited, anyway.

I guess I shouldn't worry too much. Cats are pretty smart. It is just strange that after four years, she started doing this. We've got a cat over 10 that's never explored the kitchen countertops!

[Candleman]

Cats on countertops is just plain gross!!!!!!!!

[eaglesprings]

Cats on countertops is just plain gross!!!!!!!!

Uh, yeah, that's kind of obvious. Not to mention unsafe for the cat!

Hey, a little cat hair in the cheese toast won't hurt anybody! :p Kitty litter droppings might look a lot like sugar/cinnamon! :D

[Realtorchick]

lmao @ sugar and cinnamon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have never tried to keep mine off counters either. We just wipe down before food prep or eating. C'est la vie avec les chats

[Wilson]

Ditto this. My cat has her food dishes on the countertop (with a placemat underneath!) ever since my first son was crawling. And she jumps from the countertop to the top of the 'fridge, to the top of the cabinets to get away from the dogs. We call that spot on top of the cabinets "pride rock". And heck, I love that she jumps up on the island when I'm in the kitchen - saves me having to bend down to pet her.

[Realtorchick]

Mine eat up high too because of the Beagles. BTW, husband made the cats a "catwalk" all around my dining room w/ corner perches...the LOVE IT. can zip up there to get away from those pesky dogs hehhhee

[Wilson]

I'd love to see pictures!

[Realtorchick]

I'll try to get some tomorrow and will post them. It was pretty simple to do and the cats love it. My dining is set up as my office so this worked out great for the cats.

[eaglesprings]

Ya know, I have seen a recipe for "Kitty Litter Cake." LOL!

Kind of like the old dirt cake, but designed to look like a litter box. Ugly and gross, but yummy!

I recently read a tip about how to keep cats off the counters. You buy those carpet guards with the "pokey" things on the bottom, and put them on the counters upside down. The cats don't like being poked in the paws, so decide the counters aren't a good place to jump.

I never thought I'd have to consider this! We've never had any of our cats be attracted to the kitchen counters before now. We do have to chase them off the table, but like some of you, I don't worry about that quite as much. The table is kind of a "catch all" spot, anyway, with kids paint projects, my purse, grocery bags, etc. We sanitize it good before meal time. I still chase them off, but that doesn't "gross me out" as much as the kitchen counters, or the top of the toaster oven.

But even with the "gross out" factor, I'm more concerned about the cat's safety.

[Candleman]

But even with the "gross out" factor, I'm more concerned about the cat's safety

Our cats safety would be in dire danger if it was on the counter or the table. The thought of a cat going from a litter box to a kitchen counter or dining table is disgusting.

[eaglesprings]

Ah, the voice of experience?

What worked for you when you faced this "dilemna?" This really is a new one for me, especially for such a mature cat. But, even our kittens have never done something like this.

[FamilyGal]

Fortunately, none of our cats get on the counters or tabletops either. Dh would probably get rid of the cats if so. And, he loves the cats. But, he draws the line at them walking around where we eat or prepare food. CG must have trained ours good! :D

[FamilyGal]

If you have already been squirting them with water, then do the prickly thing you mentioned. Surely there is something that will work. Just have to try a few things and see which one does. Have you googled it?

[eaglesprings]

Hey, Family Gal: Since this odd behavior just started yesterday, I haven't done anyting other than chasing her off, time and time again! I've got some "squirt guns" around here, though, and if that doesn't work, I'll definitely invest in the carpet guards. Obviously, as fascinating as this strange new behavior is, (wondering why it all of a sudden started) we can't let it continue.

The good thing is that I'm home almost all the time, and can keep correcting her, consistently.