Felines' instincts to explore may lead to trouble
New feline adopters often ask: "How do I keep the cat off the kitchen counters and atop the refrigerator and stove?"
Even supposedly savvy feline caretakers may say, "This time I want to do things differently, my last feline was always perched on the counter or above the kitchen cabinets."
My initial instinct is to say, so what? You share your life with an inquisitive animal who has a natural instinct to explore. After all, most felines are solitary hunters. Exploration of environment, after basic needs like food, is a feline's priority.
Perhaps we should discuss your habits in the kitchen to learn why your feline is interested in high places, beyond its own natural curiosity.
If you leave newly cooked food on the counter to cool, you have just served up an invitation to your feline that it is meal time. You may have left a cake to cool. Surely that will not be a temptation, or so you think. I have seen felines dig into that cooling cake. Why? Butter, eggs, milk - and the fun of digging it up.
Do not let your feline associate the counters with the aroma of foods. I also have a bad habit of cooling food on top of the refrigerator. They can get there. A suggestion might be an empty microwave or a cool oven.
If we eliminate the food factor, then we are just dealing with their inquisitive nature for all things high and their need for exercise. Let's face it, some breed mixes are known for jumping, and very few things you can do to modify behavior will deter them.
If you have an Abyssinian, Bengel, Siamese or any of the Oriental variety, you have a difficult road ahead of you. More common solutions will not work. These breed mixes are wired to jump.
Common solutions to jumping seem pretty foolish, and most smart felines will not fall for them. And if they do, you have a big mess to clean up. Double-sided tape is a good example of a nasty mess. Why, anyway, would you want this type of tape on the counter?
The idea is the tape sticks to the feline's paws and the feline is so upset, it will not go back. Wrong! The feline may sense the challenge and chew on the tape. Now you are on your way to the emergency veterinarian.
Another inept solution I have heard of is putting trays of water on your counter. What a mess when they jump up and wade into it. I have several felines that love water so much that they know how to turn on the faucet at will. You better leave the drain open if you have one of these felines.
Some feline owners even resort to a ScatMat with rubber points. My suggestion is for them to get a stuffed animal.
Your best chance of success, if you are serious about eliminating counter time for your feline, is environmental enrichment with alternative stimulation and redirection of interest. Cat furniture with high perches and window perches are an interesting alternative.
You can also redirect behavior with treats. Every time your feline obeys your instructions to jump off a place you do not want them, reinforce the behavioral modification with a treat.
Finally, let's face it, some felines feel more content sleeping up high. It is their "me" time, which we all need.
Did you know?:
• June is adopt a shelter cat month nationwide, so visit us and adopt a feline Buddy. We have kittens, juveniles and young adults. Do not forget our special needs felines.
• Buddy normally celebrates the anniversary of its shelter building in June. This year, however, the open house anniversary event will be from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, July 15, at 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights. Visit www.thebuddyfoundation.org for more details.
• The Buddy Foundation, 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights, is a nonprofit 501(c) 3 shelter. Call (847) 290-5806 or visit www.thebuddyfoundation.org.