Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cats

How to prevent your cat from jumping on tables and counters

Mary Johnson
By

Cats are intelligent, curious creatures who love to investigate every inch of their surroundings. From your baseboards to the top of your refrigerator, cats leave no surface untouched. Unfortunately, this also includes your kitchen table and your countertops. While you may not always catch your frisky feline in the act of slinking across your counters, you’ll most likely find tufts of hair, paw prints, and possibly even scratches left behind. If you share your home with a feline companion, you’ve probably wondered how to keep cats off counters. Are you tired of your cat jumping from the litter box to your dining room table? Let’s find out why cats enjoy jumping on tables and counters — and how you can put a stop to it once and for all.

A black and white cat takes a nap on a kitchen table.

Why do cats like to jump on the counter?

Cats are natural climbers. In the great outdoors, cats climb trees to evade predators, move safely through their environment, and hunt their prey. Even domestic cats have a tendency to climb, especially if you have small children or live in a multi-pet household. Children want to play with and snuggle the family cat, and constant stimulation can overwhelm your fur baby. An easy fix? Jumping onto the nearest high surface a small child can’t reach — the countertop. (Some cats may even leap onto bookshelves or the top of the refrigerator if they can reach those surfaces.)

Recommended Videos

If you have a dog, your cat may try to escape him by jumping out of reach. Cats feel secure when they’re perched up high in a location with a good view of their surroundings. You may think your fur baby is being naughty, but in her mind, she’s simply retreating to a place of safety. 

How do I stop my cat from jumping on the counter? 

The best way to keep your cat from jumping on the counter is to discourage the behavior as soon as you bring her home. Refrain from feeding your cat on the table or counter, as this will only encourage her to jump up in search of food. If you have a dog, try feeding your cat in a separate room to prevent the family pup from making her feel threatened during dinnertime — or trying to share her food. Keep your countertops and tables wiped clean at all times. Even the smallest crumbs of food may attract your cat to climb where she’s not wanted. You also should refrain from storing houseplants or interesting decorative pieces that may attract your cat’s attention on surfaces you want her to avoid.

We also recommend that you invest in a cat tree, which will encourage your cat to play and climb on a surface designed for her enjoyment. Most cat trees come with built-in scratching posts, so you’ll also help her keep her claws healthy in the process. When you catch your cat trying to jump, firmly tell her “no” and remove her from the area. Don’t try to distract her with food, playtime, or treats; she may form a mental association between jumping on the counter and getting attention or a snack, which will only encourage the very behavior you’re trying to prevent. 

A long-haired black cat sits in a chair with her paws on a table.

Does tinfoil keep cats off counters? 

If nothing you’ve tried so far keeps your cat from jumping on the counter, it may be time to try another trick. Lining surfaces with tinfoil creates a deterrent that keeps most cats from climbing on counters and tables. Taping strips of tinfoil to the edges of tables and countertops will quickly turn them into a no-jumping zone. Depending on your cat, this won’t be an immediate fix. Cats have a short-term memory of roughly 16 hours, so it may take her a few days or longer to learn not to jump on the newly tinfoil-covered surface. 

A long-haired cat wearing a red collar lying on a dining table.

Why does aluminum foil keep cats off counters?

Aluminum foil creates a slippery surface on the countertop, reducing the traction your cat needs to properly climb up. Most cats hate the smooth texture beneath their paws, so your fur baby will be less likely to want to climb on the counter in the first place. Some experts believe cats are also driven away from tinfoil-covered surfaces because of the sound it makes. If your fur baby falls under that category, you may want to tape down one side of the foil and leave the other loose to create that crinkling sound cats dislike. 

An orange tabby cat lying with her head on the table.

Final thoughts

Training your cat not to jump on the counter or table takes time and patience. Just like dogs, cats learn through positive reinforcement. Try to maintain a stress-free environment to prevent your cat from associating jumping on the counter with positive feedback (escaping a stressor). Provide her with cat-friendly climbing surfaces, keep dogs and children away from her feeding area, and never feed your fur baby on the table or countertop. It may take time for your cat to learn to stay off the counters, especially if she’s already in the habit of climbing them, but she’ll eventually learn that climbing on the counter is a no-go, and you’ll be able to reclaim the kitchen table and countertops for yourself. 

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Mary Johnson
Mary Johnson
Contributor
Mary Johnson is a writer and photographer from New Orleans, Louisiana. Her work has been published in PawTracks and…
This video shows another side to the war in Ukraine: All the cats
These cats are working alongside their humans in service to their country
Kitten peeks out of a military helmet

Pets might not be our first thought when we think about armed conflict, but they're a surprising part of it. In the current war in Ukraine, many refugees fleeing the country are bringing beloved pets with them and, luckily, neighboring countries have been able to take some of them in. Despite nearly impossible circumstances, animals are being saved and even brought to the US and going to loving families. Some, however, are living directly on the front lines with soldiers, including the adorable cats featured in this video.

In it, you see cats of all shapes and sizes hanging out with their buddies dressed in fatigues and often ready for action. The kitties climb up their people or ride along in satchels or assist the war effort by becoming lookouts (or at least pretending to). While they may not be a lot of help in that arena, they can provide friendship and become true assets to their units (some trained military dogs deploy with troops around the world to help with things like finding land mines and search and rescue). Interestingly, animals have always been essential to war, not just as the cavalry but in a companionship role as well.

Read more
These are the 10 most popular cat breeds, as counted by The Cat Fanciers’ Association
Here are the top 10 most popular cat breeds in the world
A Devon Rex cat is held up against a blue sky

The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) recognizes 46 different feline breeds, but not all of them can be the most popular. That's why the CFA took a look into its registries to determine the top 10 most popular cat breeds of 2022. It welcomes registrations from "nonstandard" and "non-pedigreed" cats as well, but those feline friends weren't included in this particular count.

Which types of cats do you think were the most popular in 2022? Whether you can list off every breed or can't even name one, we guarantee there's at least one surprise on this list.

Read more
Can large cats enjoy a cat tree? Here are the ones to get
Cat trees for large cats might be hard to find, but you can get the right one
Large black cat sits in a cat tree

While you probably know that your dog needs a decent amount of exercise, you might not realize that your cat does, too. Experts estimate that most indoor cats don't get enough exercise, and as many as 40% could be overweight or obese. Some big kitties might need a bit more, just as would be true for many dogs. One way to help encourage their heart rate is to gift them a structure. A cat tree for large cats will stimulate both their bodies and their minds.
Why do our felines love cat trees?
In the wild, cats climb trees, every one of those felines, from your escaped house cat to lions and leopards -- they all love to get height. You might also see your indoor pet trying to do the same in your house with mixed success. Many pet parents investigate a sudden noise to find their little jumper now sitting on top of the cabinets or on a bookcase. If you give them a cat tree, that will satisfy much of their need to climb. It also allows the kitty to have space to themselves up high when they want to get out of the way and burn a few of those calories.
What are the benefits of a cat tree?
Cats love to climb whether they live inside, outside, or both. Some owners like to mimic the great outdoors by installing a cat tree indoors. It should be fun for your kitty, but it will also have health benefits. This is a great way to give them a little exercise, a scratching post, and mental stimulation. Make sure to pick the right one, depending on your cat's size, interests, and behaviors.
Which one should I get for my big cat?
A large cat needs a sturdy cat tree! Stick to a few of these bigger and safer ones that will work perfectly for your larger animal.

FEANDREA 67-inch Multi-Level Cat Tree for Large Cats
This tree, aptly billed as "Exclusive Luxury for Cats," will give them plenty to do no matter what mood hits them. With this cat tree, your feline has multiple heights, hidey holes, and balls to bat on. Most importantly, it's incredibly stable and boasts high reviews -- a distinguished 4.8. One top reviewer said their 20-pound beastie even fit on it, so this one works well if you have a big kitty.

Read more