kittens

Question
i have two kittens and im trying to find a way to keep them off the counters and tables. im also woundering when and how to let them go outside. any tips?

Answer
Matt,

One suggestion would be to get a couple of BIG kitty condos that you can put near a window. Maybe one in your bedroom and one in the living room (or somewhere else) that they can run up and down on and sit up high to look out the window.  THEN start "yelling" at them everytime they get on the counter or table. Yell "NO! OFF THE TABLE!" so your voice scares them off (a rolled up newspaper helps too). Then when they jump down, wait a little bit then love on them to show them they are good kittys. Then they won't be scared of you...except when they are on something they are not supposed to be. They will catch on pretty quick, but will probably still test you periodically. Be consistant though. Don't let them get away with it once then yell at them the next time or it will never work. It may take awhile because bad habits are sometimes difficult to modify. But giving them an alternative places to 'get high' helps.

Wooden mousetraps are another device to give your cats the message about being where they should not be. Get a few of the kind that aren't prebaited and set them uPSIDE DOWN on the countertops or in small (preferably metal) wastebaskets set on the counter, with a sheet of newspaper or a brown paper grocery bag taped down over them (to double the safety factor). The traps ARE NOT meant to hurt your cats or trap a paw. Just to startle them. After they bump a trap, it jumps and closes with an noisy crack, helping to convince your cats that the area you've booby-trapped is scary and it's better to stay away from there.

Another option is to get a good squirt gun and stand where the cats can't see you. When they get on the counter squirt them with the water gun but staying hidden while you do it. That way the cats associate being on the counter with getting squirted and do not associate it with you.

I would collar train the cats before they go outside and tape your address and phone number on it...just in case. Before you let them out the first time hold the cats and walk around the perimeter of your yard, or area so the cats can look around and get some smells first. Let your cats go exploring the first time BEFORE they are fed. Hunger keeps a cat close to home. Leave the door cracked open and let the cats venture out as they feel comfortable. They rarely go far...but ALWAYS keep an eye on the cats the first few times. Having the door cracked open gives the cats a chance to run back in to safety if there is something 'scary' out there. The cats needs to put their scents around the area so they know that is where home is. They will do that by rubbing on things.  

Always watch for stray cats or dogs that could chase your cats far from home to where they are lost, or possibly injure them. Surprising cats usually like to go outside for a little while, then they are ready to come back in. Staying outside with them the first couple times will be reassuring to them. The two kittens together should be comforting to each other while exploring the 'big scary world'. Each cat has a different personality so don't be surprised if one wants to be out and the other doesn't.

Also, here is a link to an article about letting a kitten go outside that you may want to read: (copy and paste, or type, the whole link into your address bar)
http://ezinearticles.com/?L etting-Your-Kitten-Out-For-The-Very-First-Time&id=700370

I hope this helped.

Tabbi