How do I keep my dopey kitten from jumping on my countertops?

It is seriously the most annoying, disgusting thing ever. He is just about 6 months old and his newest habit is to jump on my kitchen counters. I have another cat, about 5 yrs old and she never did this. I'm so grossed out by it. He knows it's wrong because as soon as I catch him he jumps down and runs like hell. As soon as I leave the room he's back up there. There's no food or water up there, I don't know why he's doing it. I've been keeping him locked up in. The basement because I can't take it anymore. It's driving me crazy and I might kill him.

Any suggestions?


Eta..not sure spraying him with water would work bc he's obsessed with water.

Message edited 2/15/2012 9:02:03 PM.

Re: How do I keep my dopey kitten from jumping on my countertops?

I have heard to use masking take or double stick tape on the edges they hate when it stick to their paws

Re: How do I keep my dopey kitten from jumping on my countertops?

Aluminum foil on the surface.

Re: How do I keep my dopey kitten from jumping on my countertops?

My one cat still does this and she is almost 3. We have had her since she was 5 weeks and we have a 5 yr old male cat who never does this. She is baaaaad and she knows it. She jumps on the dining room table (skeeve) and the kitchen counters and the second she sees us she runs as fast as she can. I know she does it at night too because there is black cat hairs on the counter (barf). I honestly don't know what to do, water doesn't work for us either, or yelling or chasing her...nothing works.

Re: How do I keep my dopey kitten from jumping on my countertops?

Re: How do I keep my dopey kitten from jumping on my countertops?

i'm just thinking of dogs as i've never had a cat, so forgive me if any of my thoughts are not really applicable to cats.

just thinking....maybe the kitten needs some playtime/ exercise? being locked in the basement with nothing to do and no one to see may make it worse b/c he may spaz out with excitement and pent up energy once he's upstairs.

I know when my dog hasn't had enough exercise or attention he goes nutso doing everything i don't want him to - barking at me, digging on the sofa, shredding things. but when he is tired he's a little angel.

good luck

Re: How do I keep my dopey kitten from jumping on my countertops?

My SIL has several cats and she said it was getting so bad the cats were taking over everywhere. She used a spray bottle and she said the second she sprayed it the cats would flee. (of course not directly hitting them but the mist alone would scare them)

Re: How do I keep my dopey kitten from jumping on my countertops?

SSSCAT Spray

Never tried it.. but heard it works..

Re: How do I keep my dopey kitten from jumping on my countertops?

I was recently watching on Animal Planet "My Cat is from Hell" and the trainer suggested placing other high, horizontal surfaces near the area. Like a bookshelf or a tall cat tree. He said cats either like to be low and under something, or high on a horizontal surface. (Some cats like both, or just one.)

You might have a high kitty who wants a birdseye view. By putting up a shelf or a cat tree and luring kitty there as his/her personal space, that would hopefully be more appealing than the countertop.