How to wean a cat or a cat to climb a table: 8 ways
Contents
Why do cats tend to jump on the table?
First, consider the motives of behavior. They will help you better understand how to wean a cat off the table.
Curiosity. Cats love to explore the space around them, sniff objects and even try them on their teeth. The table attracts cats with the smell of food. They are interested in eating from the owner’s bowl. Natural dexterity makes this easy to do. Also, the table can serve as a convenient viewing place. In nature, predators from the cat family hunt from a height, rest on high branches. This instinct was passed on to domestic cats. The cat climbs on the table to watch you, other animals and react in time if something interesting happens.
Heat. If there are central heating batteries under the table, they can attract a cat in winter. It is convenient for the cat to lie on the table and bask.
hunting instinct. Perhaps the table is the only place where the cat can look out the window. Then she will conduct birdwatching from there. Also, a cat can climb onto the table in pursuit of a sunbeam or insects.
Security. It is possible that the table is one of the few places where the cat can be at peace, for example, if there is a puppy or a small child in the house.
Playfulness. The cat may show interest in the table from a lack of entertainment. If she does not have toys, she can climb onto the table to throw off small objects from there.
Next, we learn how to wean a cat off the table.
How to wean a cat to climb tables?
The main task is to create unpleasant associations when the cat climbs on the table. Then interest in the tables will disappear.
1. Loud noises
Place empty tin cans in the center of the table so that the pet cannot see them from below. After the next jump on the table, the cans will begin to fall and rattle, this will frighten the animal and may discourage him from jumping onto the table again.
2. Foil
Spread sheets of foil around the edges of the table. When your pet jumps on the table, they will fall to the floor, making a very unpleasant metallic rustle.
3. Water
Use your pet’s natural dislike for water. Place a large pan of water on the table. Having jumped onto the table, the animal will wet its paws, and after several such attempts, it will completely lose the desire to climb onto it. Water bottles can also be used. Put some heating pads on the table. A gurgling sound under the paws will scare the pet. Pet stores sell a spray device that is equipped with a motion sensor. It will splash water on your pet every time it jumps on the table. The sensor detects movement at a distance of up to 1 meter. Remember to turn it off when you use the table yourself. You can spray on the animal yourself, but do it carefully so that the cat does not see you. Otherwise, he will start avoiding you.
4. Heavy items
Put several heavy objects on the table in a chaotic manner. Take up all the space. Your pet will not be able to move them, and interest will be lost. In addition, on a surface filled with objects, it is harder to move and keep balance.
5. Bright smells
Rub the table with lemon or other citrus fruits. This is too strong a smell, it will scare the animal off the table. The smell of vinegar will also be unpleasant for your pet. Rub the table with a solution of vinegar or pour it into a saucer. On the table, you can leave peeled garlic, onions. There are more pleasant ways for you. A pet will be scared away by a bouquet of flowers with a strong aroma.
6. Masking tape
Cut the tape into squares and spread them across the tabletop, sticky side up. Your pet’s paws will begin to stick to the tape, and he will not like it, he will perceive the table as a dirty space.
7. Own house
If the table is your pet’s only safety zone, then create a comfortable environment for him somewhere else. Buy a house with a high stable support, where the pet cannot be reached by small children or dogs.
8. Furniture rearrangement
Perhaps a route to your pet’s favorite place runs through the table. Then a little change will help you. Create new conditions for the movement of the animal.
How to wean a kitten to climb a table?
The considered methods help to correct the behavior of adult animals. How to wean a kitten to climb a table.
Negative behavior manifests itself at a very early age, but can seem like a cute prank. For example, many cats like to drink water from a faucet. This causes tenderness for the owners, and they allow the pet to drink from the tap in the kitchen. Because of this, the cat perceives the kitchen as a space to explore. Therefore, allow him to drink only in the bathroom.
The kitten still does not quite understand where his territory is, and where is yours. He may associate you with the mother cat and look for food where you eat. Each time, patiently carry your little pet to his food bowl. This will help to wean the kitten from jumping on the table. Your pet must understand that he can only eat from his dishes. Accustom the kitten to feeding on time, combine your meals. Do not pick up your baby when you are sitting at the table and eating.
Kittens are more curious and playful than adult cats. They only know the world, and everything is interesting to them. Use toys of different shapes and sizes that make rustling, rattling sounds for playing with kittens. Perhaps the kitten has already studied the old toys, and they are no longer interesting to him. Buy new ones or make your own.
Don’t put off parenting. It’s easier to teach a kitten to climb on a table. By the time they grow up, cats and cats develop persistent patterns of behavior that they will follow in the future. Cats perfectly understand the intonation of the owner and will know how to act with a certain sound of your voice.
What we do not recommend
When choosing a parenting method, consider the nature of your cat or cat and choose gentle options. Some animals may be terrified of loud noises, so don’t stress your pet.
Refuse violent methods of education. They will not bring the desired effect, but only worsen the relationship between you and the cat. We do not recommend using electric mats if the cat has climbed onto the table. This is too traumatic a way that will harm the health of your pet.
Yelling won’t help either. The pet will only understand that in the presence of the owner it is impossible to jump on the table, and will do this when you are not at home. In addition, a cat or a cat may not understand what caused your aggression, but they will start to be afraid of you. They will associate the feeling of fear with you, not with the table, and this will cause more serious behavioral problems. The table should cease to be the subject of games and pleasures for the cat, then he will lose interest in him.
To wean the cat to climb on the table, we recommended using masking tape. Do not use other very sticky materials. They can stick to the cat’s fur, and then you have to cut it. Also, the pet will experience stress.
Weaning a cat or a cat to walk on the table is not all. Understand the reasons for the behavior and offer the animal alternative options.
Behavior prevention
Think immediately about raising a cat as soon as he appeared in your house. It is better to prevent unwanted behavior than to deal with it later. Here is what we advise you to do for prevention:
During meals, do not feed the cat from the table. By feeding your cat from the table, you are encouraging negative behavior. The cat perceives the table as a feeding place and, in your absence, will try to get food there. Remove all food and dirty dishes from the table as soon as you have eaten.
Do not leave small items on the table that the cat can easily throw off. Even the calmest cat will not resist the temptation to explore a new interesting subject.
Provide your pet with toys. Cats are playful and curious animals. If you do not come up with entertainment for them during your absence, they will start looking for them themselves and go to explore the apartment.
See if your pet is being bullied by other animals or children. If conflicts arise between animals, delimit their territory.
Make sure your cat is always full. Pay attention to whether other animals eat his food.
Clear at least one window sill so that the cat can watch the birds in the window.
Pay attention to your pet, play with it. He must understand that he can come to you and ask you to entertain him if he is bored.
Cats are wayward animals, so in dealing with them it is important to immediately indicate the boundaries of what is permitted. Be consistent in your behavior. Agree with other family members to support your rules for a cat or a cat.
Make sure that the cat or cat always has free access to water.
Equip a warm and comfortable place for your pet to sleep. If the cat has an uncomfortable sleeping place, then he can go to sleep on the table. Equip special shelves for cats on the wall, on which your pet can rest in comfort.
We looked at 8 ways to wean a cat from climbing tables. Choose a gentle and suitable method for your pet. Don’t underestimate the severity of the problem. This behavior is not only uncomfortable for you, but can also be dangerous for the animal itself. Wean the cat to climb on the table and on other surfaces in the kitchen: stoves, cabinets. He can be cut with a knife or burned. Start training your pet as soon as you notice a new habit.
July 22 2021
Updated: July 22, 2021
