Its me again!!!

Question
If I hadn't told you before, I have not had kittens in YEARS.

Now my kittens (who are about 6 months old this month) are learning to jump up on furniture, such as on the stove top!!!!

Is there some way I can prevent this? Or teach them not to?? What if they jump up on there after I just got done cooking?? :(

They are getting bigger and are starting to explore the parts of the apartment that were previously inaccessible to them. That would be the top of the bar, the kitchen sink, they've learned to open cabinet doors, and on top of the stove.

Agghhh, kittens.

They are however calming down... destruction-wise.

Thanks,
Kayla

Answer
Kayla,

You can certainly make use of humane deterrents like citrus peels, dried habenero peppers, Sticky Paws, Scat Mats and squirt bottles. The only way that the kittens are going to learn what is acceptable in your household is if you take the time to teach them the rules. Cats aren't terribly fond of citrus peels or hot peppers so this will work for most cats, however cats can be adaptable. Due to the fact that cats are very clean animals they don't like to have anything sticky on their paws or coats. A product called Sticky Paws is a medical grad double sided tape that is safe for most fabrics - for the most part that will keep the cats away from counter tops, stoves, etc. Shaker cans are also a good plan, all you need to make one is a used pop can and a few pennies, stones or beads. The idea behind this is that cats don't like sudden loud noises so by using the shaker can every time that they get up somewhere that they aren't supposed to be they will learn to associate the counter, stovetop, etc with the loud noise and decide that it really isn't worth it. An air horn would serve the same purpose. Scat mats are humane devices that administer a static shock when they are stepped on by the cats - most cats aren't terribly fond of that sensation so it should be quite effective. You could also consider using a motion activated system called Ssscat! which simply triggers the release of compressed air when the motion sensor detects movement - this is a good plan for places like stoves and countertops where you don't ever want the cats to be. The reason that compressed air works is because it sounds like a cat hissing which brings the message home loud and clear. Run of the mill spray bottles (the kind used for misting tropical plants) filled with plain water (it's important to be sure that the spray bottle is new because chemicals can be harmful to cats)and set on stream can also work quite well as a deterrent. Most cats would rather not get wet, especially if they didn't choose that option by playing under a faucet or some similar activity. It's a good idea to be sure to put all food away so that the cats don't receive any positive reinforcement by hopping onto the kitchen counter or stove because that will make keeping them down more difficult.