All happy owners of cats know what wayward animals they are - very often they do what they want, even if the owners are not happy about it. One of the most common problems that catowners face is the study of kitchen tables. On the one hand, the cat on the table may look cute and even funny, but if you look at it from the hygiene point of view, such behavior is simply unacceptable. If you also wonder about how to wean the cat to climb the tables, then our article is for you.
Reasons for walking
Before you begin to fight with your tail rebel, try to figure out what pushes him to jump on the dining surface. Perhaps you just need to understand the situation and then you will no longer have to "fight" with your pet - the problem will be solved by itself.
- It is believed that such behavior is characteristic of these animals because of their natural curiosity and fussiness. Since cats naturally love to explore new things, they can jump on the table for this purpose only. In this case, in order to get rid of the habit of the animal, you just need to keep the table empty and clean.
- Cats jump on the table in search of food. For them, the resulting food becomes prey, which they "hunt", these are their instincts. To prevent such theft, you need not only to keep the tables clean, but also not to forget to feed your darling. Leaving the house, see that there is always some food in her bowl. Usually well-fed cats do not bother to study the tables.
- Some animals pulls to lay out where food is present. From a human point of view, sitting or sleeping on the table is somehow strange, but cats do not think so, and a table is a high surface, which these fans like to climb higher. They gladly climb onto the dining surface, where they feel very comfortable, stretch out to their full height and fall asleep sweetly. In this case, to wean the animal from the addiction, you need to create a decent alternative to it.
Buy a high house on a pole, but always steady and with a large stove bench. Either buy him a cozy “nest” and place it on a dais, not forgetting to securely fasten it so that the cat does not turn over and fall.
- Some cats just like the high position of the tabletop, for on elevation they feel superior to others. If your four-legged friend likes to watch what is happening from this position, try to equip him with a special shelf in the kitchen. The structure can be nailed directly to the wall at the level of the table, but at a distance from it. A pet will definitely appreciate that the owner has made a personal “place”.
- In the cold season, cats are looking for warmth. As a rule, the higher the surface, the warmer it is, so the cats climb onto cabinets and tables. In this case, the cat needs to create a warm place. For example, move the chair to the heating appliance so that it can climb back and lie down. Turn off laptops and desk lamps located on the dining table so that they do not heat it up and make it even more attractive in the eyes of the animal.
- Sometimes the table attracts curious cats as a window seat from which you can admire the street scenery. You should not deprive a pet of this joy, because he already has to live within four walls.To get rid of the problem, pull the curtains, so the cat will understand that you need to climb on the window sill or move the table away from the window. And so that she has an incentive to climb it on the window sill, make a small bird feeder outside the window, but do not forget to close the window when the birds eat, otherwise the fluffy pet can be carried away by hunting and falling out of the window.
Often you can get rid of the bad habit of a cat by simply eliminating the reason for climbing the tables. Perhaps in your case the same will happen.
Effective ways
Weaning the cat to climb the tables can help the following ways.
- The fall. Pay attention to which side he usually jumps on the table. Put there a large tray so that he looked over the edge of the tabletop. Now, if the cat tries to climb up on the table, it will fall with a crash. Do not worry about it, the cat will most likely land on its four legs and will not be injured in any way, but the noise combined with the fall will frighten it and reduce the desire to travel to forbidden places.
Also on the edge you can expand the empty cans that will rumble when jumping. Any flat wide board, piles of notebooks or magazines that will collapse with the cat on the floor will do.
- Smells. There are smells that cats just hate. This is usually citrus, eucalyptus, cloves. Affordable way to fight the problem in using citrus fruit, they will find in any home. Lavishly fold the peel of a lemon or orange, but do not forget to change it every few days, and rub the table with the juices of these fruits. Essential oils possess aromas unloved least saturated odor. They can be rubbed into the table or poured into the aroma lamp.
This method does not affect all tailing - some of them do not stop the smell on the way to the cherished goal. Like it or not in your case, it will be possible to know only tried this method.
- Foil. This rustling material with a mirror surface can serve you in the fight against the cat's lasagna on the table. To do this, wrap its edges with this material so that it is enough not only on the edge of the tabletop, but also partially on its surface. The foil immediately takes the form of a table and locks in, but as soon as the cat jumps on it, pulling slightly on its front paws, it will immediately fly down. This method is considered quite safe.
The main thing is not to apply this method when raising kittens that are not so clever and can get injured when falling.
- Scotch. If you are not afraid that traces of adhesive tape will remain on the table, you can safely use this method. Put on the perimeter of the dining surface of tape and a little fix it. When the cat once again climbs the table, he will be very surprised and scared by sticking tape on his paws. In addition, the adhesive substance will have a long lick of wool.
Just be careful with this method in the case of a fluffy cat: Scotch tape may stick to its fur too much, and you will not be able to get rid of the tape fragments until you cut them together with the wool.
- Water spray. This method can be applied only in the vicinity of the pet. As soon as you see that he jumped on the table, splash water on him from the spray gun, while aiming at him directly in the face. This method is more effective in raising kittens, then jumping on the table will be associated with water. Ideally, you want to splash water out of hiding, the cat did not understand. Then the method can be suitable for the rehabilitation of adults.
- Iron sheet. To get the animal to want to jump on the table, put a sheet of iron on it so that when you jump on it, there was a roar. However, any suitable surface that emits a loud sound when you touch. The noise frightens cats and helps teach these wayward creatures to discipline.
- Promotion. Not every owner will be able to go this way, because he requires great patience, care and attention.Its essence is as follows: as soon as you see that the cat wants to jump on the table, distract him with a toy or treat, while praising him. This should be done constantly for a long time - only then can you see the result of your efforts. For owners who are very fond of their cats and can not apply to them anti-human methods of education, this option is best suited.
- Electricity. There are special devices with weak current discharges, they have very low power, and therefore do not harm the health of the animal. The effect of such a charge will be felt by the pet as a strong click. The most "menacing" option in this series is the collar with a remote control, which gives a weak discharge at the touch of a button. Usually, such gadgets are used by dog owners, but some are also used with cats for educational purposes. There are also ultrasound collars, which are also able to scare away an animal.
Whichever option you choose, you should always make sure that the table is empty, that is, it does not have any food or items that can be used as toys.
What not to do?
There are also prohibited methods in raising cats, we consider them further.
- It is forbidden to apply physical force to animals. It will not lead to a positive result, but it can offend a cat. In this case, retaliatory aggression will emanate from him, he may get angry with you and start revenge. And the war with the cat does not promise anything good to you - some of them, in response to rudeness, begin to mark the territory or commit other minor mischief.
- Do not allow pauses in your educational process.. If you have firmly decided to get rid of your cat's addiction to the tables, then do not forget to spray the table with unpleasant smells for the cat every day, lay foil or splash it on the animal from the spray gun. Acting from time to time, you will reduce the progress to nothing and only confuse the animal.
Expert advice
Experts in feline psychology argue that these animals hate screams. The “reading” intonation of the host and a loud cry frighten them. Having survived such a shock several times, pets can abandon the idea of climbing the tables forever. Of course, this can only work if you usually do not shout at the cat on other occasions and do not appear angry to him every day.
You can look into his eyes and sternly chastise the animal. Cats are smart enough and often these methods work with them more effectively than physical punishment.
The younger the cat, the better it will be educated. And although the methods of raising children and adults are similar, the long-term habit of eradicating is much more difficult. Begin upbringing as soon as you notice walking the tables for the first time.
In addition, at a young age, shock methods work better on animals like shouting or watering. No matter how inhuman it may sound, the kittens learn well the lessons learned from using this method. The main thing is not to overdo it so that the animal is not scared more than necessary.
Cat rearing is a complex process that requires patience and a sensible approach. But for a loving and caring owner, nothing is impossible. If you want to teach the animal the rules of behavior in the house, then over time you will certainly achieve this. The main thing is to find out the cause of the bad behavior of the cat and try to eliminate it.
In the next video you will be able to visually get acquainted with one of the options for weaning the cat from climbing on the table.
