If your cat likes to counter surf during their spare time, you’ve probably noticed the mess they leave behind. Whether you’re cleaning up spilled drinks or putting back the items your cat knocked off, you’ve likely considered numerous ways to prevent them from climbing on the countertops. Many cat owners can relate!
In fact, cat parents have tried countless tips, tricks, and DIY “hacks” to keep cats off the counter. A tried and true method is covering countertops in aluminum foil, but this strategy can be costly, time-consuming, and even ineffective. Cats and aluminum foil may not have the best relationship, but is it enough to keep your cat off counters for good?
Let’s explore cats and aluminium foil, as well as the best ways to prevent cats from jumping on countertops.
Cats and aluminum foil
It’s no secret that many cats dislike aluminum foil. There are plenty of funny cat videos online featuring kitties and tin foil, but why is this simple household item so bothersome to cats?
Cats have much more sensitive hearing than humans do, and they can detect sounds at a much higher frequency. When tin foil crinkles or rubs together, it creates a sound that’s so high-pitched that human ears can’t hear it. This ultrasonic sound registers at over 20,000 Hz, which can be extremely annoying or even painful to your cat’s ears.
Anyone who has been poked by aluminum foil knows its strange texture, which might make it uncomfortable for cats to walk on. Additionally, the wrinkled, textured appearance of foil can confuse cats, as they expect a smooth surface. The way foil bends and moves is also unnatural for them.
Lastly, the shiny, metallic surface can create reflections and flashes that can be confusing or disorienting to felines. Some pet cats even mistake foil for water due to its reflective surface!
Using aluminum foil to keep cats off counters
Not every feline will be thrown off by a layer of foil on their favorite climbing surfaces, but for some, it can be a major deterrent. That’s good news for cat parents looking for a quick fix for counter-surfing cats!
This can be as simple as laying a few sheets of aluminum foil on top of the counter you want your cat to stay off of, but some cat owners go all-out by wrapping their entire counter with foil. Many cats won’t see the foil until they jump on the counter, which can be startling and discouraging for your feline. However, this doesn’t always stop curious cats from trying again.
Over time, however, your cat may remember the unpleasant experiences they had on the counter. They may also look for foil before climbing or jumping once they’ve caught on, so keep an eye out for a sneaky feline!
How to keep your cat off counters for good
Even though many cats dislike aluminum foil, this quick fix isn’t always an effective method for keeping cats off counters. In fact, surprising your cat could result in an even more chaotic response!
Instead, feline experts suggest asking yourself whether it’s truly necessary to keep cats off the counter, shelf, or other surface. Cats are natural climbers, after all, and letting them indulge their instincts can be wonderful for their physical and mental health. Unless your cat is climbing somewhere dangerous, like the Christmas tree, of course!
Can you move breakable items and store food elsewhere? If so, this could be a win-win for both you and your cat, especially if your cat starts to lose interest without any items to knock over. Another option is to use tin foil or block off counter edges for small increments of time, like while you’re eating or preparing food. This could even help teach your cat that foil on a surface means “Don’t jump here.”
Sometimes, all you need is to give your cat another place to climb, explore, and rest. Does your kitty have enough cat trees and perches in their favorite spots? After all, cats are going to climb whether you want them to or not, so offering a designated place to do so may satisfy their itch.
You can even use scents to deter your cat from jumping on counters. Just be sure to find a scent that’s safe, strong, and offensive to your cat! Citrus scents are popular choices, just be sure not to use any essential oils, as these can be toxic to cats. Instead, a lemon-scented cleaning product or a spray of lemon water can do the trick.
There are many reasons cats like jumping on counters, but there are also plenty of reasons why you may want them to keep all paws on the floor. Whether you try the tin foil method or jump to other solutions, there are plenty of ways to deter your cat from counter surfing and causing chaos. It may take a minute to find the method that works best for you, but it will be oh-so-worth it in the end.
