Cats jumping up on counters is a common complaint among cat owners. Over 90% of cats will exhibit counter-surfing behavior at some point according to surveys. While some owners don’t mind their furry friends exploring the counters, others find it annoying or unhygienic. As owners, we want to provide a safe environment for our cats while also maintaining a tidy household. In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of allowing cats on counters and look at effective techniques to discourage or manage this behavior.
Pros of Allowing Cats on Counters
Many cat owners allow their feline companions on kitchen counters for various reasons. Some of the main pros include closer companionship, exercise and mental stimulation for the cat, and potentially forming a closer bond between owner and cat.
Having a cat on the counter while cooking dinner or preparing food provides companionship. The cat gets to observe the cooking process and be involved in the kitchen activities. Some cats enjoy watching their owners cook and being close to the action. This can provide mental stimulation and enrichment for the cat.
Being on the counters also allows cats exercise and space to explore. Counters provide increased vertical territory, allowing cats to jump up and down and get physical activity. It gives them a change of scenery from floor level. The exploration and new sights, sounds, and smells provide mental enrichment as well.
Finally, some cat owners feel allowing counter access allows for a closer bond and increased trust. When cats are allowed on the counters under supervision, the owners get to interact more closely with them. Some feel excluding cats from counters creates an unnecessary barrier between owner and cat. Allowing counter access, when managed properly, can lead to a closer companionship.
Cons of Cats on Counters
Allowing cats on kitchen counters can present some risks and downsides that owners should consider. One major concern is the risk of contaminating food with bacteria, parasites, or viruses that cats can carry on their paws and fur. For example, toxoplasmosis is a parasite that cats can pick up from contaminated soil or rodents and then spread through their feces (Source). If cats have access to countertops, they could potentially transmit toxoplasmosis to surfaces, utensils, or food that hasn’t been thoroughly cooked. Pregnant women are at especially high risk if exposed.
Cats walking on counters can also cause damage to surfaces over time, leaving behind scratches, dents, and other wear and tear from their paws and claws. Granite, marble, and other porous materials may be more prone to damage. Cats jumping up could also unintentionally knock items off the counters and cause them to break.
There are also potential safety hazards if cats have access to countertops when appliances are in use or hot food is present. Cats could get burned by hot pans, spill boiling water or hot foods onto themselves, chew on electrical cords, or otherwise injure themselves in the kitchen when owners’ backs are turned. Preventing counter access is safer for both people and pets.
Hygiene Concerns
Allowing cats on kitchen counters raises some legitimate hygiene concerns. One is that cats tend to step in their litter boxes, which can bring traces of feces and urine onto counter surfaces. Even after wiping their paws, some remnants may still remain.
“Kitties aren’t very careful about covering up their toilet business,” says veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker. “This means those paws that knead your chest in bed have probably paddled through the litter box recently.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, contaminants from litter boxes can potentially cause minor food poisoning if they get near human food prep areas. Allowing cats on counters risks transferring germs to spaces where you prepare meals.
Another concern is dander and shedding. All cats shed to some degree. As they walk across counters, they leave behind dander that can contaminate surfaces. People with allergies may react to traces of dander left near food.
While these risks are real, some precautions can help minimize hygiene issues. Regularly washing a cat’s paws, grooming to reduce shedding, and cleaning counters can lessen the impact.
Training Cats to Stay Off Counters
One of the most effective ways to train cats to stay off counters is through positive reinforcement and treats. When you catch your cat on the counter, calmly pick them up and place them on the floor. Then immediately reward them with a treat and praise. This reinforces getting off the counter, not being on it. With time and consistency, the cat will learn to avoid jumping up.
It’s also helpful to provide cats with alternative high perches, like cat trees, shelves, or window ledges. Having appropriate elevated spaces of their own helps satisfy their instinct to climb and reduces the need to use kitchen counters.
There are also deterrents that can make counters less appealing, though they should be used carefully. Placing sheets of tin foil or plastic carpet runners with the spiky side up on counters may discourage jumping up. Strong citrus scents from lemon or orange peels are also off-putting for many cats. But deterrents work best with positive reinforcement, not as punishments. As this article notes, “Your goal is to reward the behavior you want, not punish the behavior you don’t want.”
Compromises for Cat Owners
For those who want to allow their cats on counters at least some of the time, there are some compromises that can help balance hygiene and your cat’s desires. Here are a few options:
Allow cats on counters only during supervised times. When you are able to monitor your cat’s behavior in the kitchen, it may be fine to permit counter access. This allows you to shoo them off if they attempt to get into anything.
Cover counters when not in use. When you aren’t actively cooking or preparing food, use covers, foil, or placemats to block access to counter surfaces. This can deter cats during unsupervised times.
Designate pet-free food prep zones. You may want to section off parts of the kitchen as off-limits to pets. Keep these areas clean for any raw meat prep, ready-to-eat foods, etc. Gate them off or use cat deterrents.
By setting some ground rules and compromising, many owners are able to balance their cat’s wishes with food safety.
Proper Hygiene and Cleaning
Keeping a clean home environment is important for the health of both cats and humans when cats are allowed on kitchen counters. Proper litter box hygiene can help reduce the spread of bacteria and germs in the home (Source). Litter boxes should be scooped at least once a day and the litter completely changed out every 1-2 weeks. Litter boxes should also be wiped down and disinfected regularly with pet-safe cleaners. Locating litter boxes far from food preparation areas can help prevent contamination.
Regular disinfecting of kitchen and bathroom surfaces is also recommended when cats have access (Source). Counters and tables should be wiped down before food preparation. Sinks, faucets, and kitchen appliances should also be frequently disinfected. Using pet-safe disinfectants can eliminate bacteria without harming cats.
Frequent and thorough hand washing is also essential, especially before handling food. Hand washing after petting cats, scooping litter boxes, or cleaning up messes can prevent the spread of bacteria that could make humans sick. Keeping hand soap and disinfectants readily available can encourage regular hand washing.
Opinions from Vets and Experts
Many veterinarians and cat experts have weighed in on the debate of allowing cats on counters. Dr. Liz Bales, a veterinarian interviewed by The Spruce Pets, says “Cats walking around on your kitchen counters and tables can potentially transmit bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli to surfaces used for food prep” (Keeping Cats Off Kitchen Counters). However, she notes that the risk of disease transmission is low if proper precautions are taken.
Certified cat behavior consultant Marilyn Krieger explains that training cats to stay off counters requires providing them with alternative elevated surfaces: “Cats want to be up high so they can feel in charge of their territory, so be sure to provide them with cat trees, perches and shelves” (Petfinder).
Veterinarian Dr. Michelle McCarthy recommends using deterrents like double-sided sticky tape on the edges of counters when cats are not around. She also advises pet parents to “Provide appropriate high perches that cats are allowed to sit on, like cat trees, cat shelves and window perches” (Scary Mommy).
According to Jackson Galaxy, cat behaviorist, “The most effective way to keep cats off counters is through positive reinforcement training, which allows them to understand which spaces are meant for them.” He recommends offering treats when they get on designated cat trees rather than the counter.
Examples of Owners’ Experiences
Many cat owners have mixed opinions and experiences when it comes to allowing cats on kitchen counters. Some owners are very permissive and allow full counter access. As one Reddit user shared, “My cat goes wherever she wants in my house. That includes the kitchen counters” (source). However, other owners train their cats to stay off kitchen surfaces for hygiene reasons. Per a Quora user, “I do not allow either of my cats on the kitchen counters or table. I agree it’s gross. Plus they have a cat tree in the kitchen so they can see what I’m doing” (source).
Some owners allow counter access but with compromises, like keeping one section of counter clear for food prep. As one cat owner commented, “My cats are allowed on the counters except for one section when I’m prepping food” (Huffington Post). There are also owners who start off strict about counters, but become more lenient over time. An owner explained, “At first I shooed my cats off the counters, but eventually gave up. Now I just wipe the counters down before cooking.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, whether or not to let cats on kitchen counters is a highly debated topic among cat owners. There are reasonable arguments on both sides. Those in favor point to the natural curiosity and personality of cats, while those opposed cite concerns about hygiene and training cats to avoid counters.
The main points in favor of allowing cats on counters include: it’s normal cat behavior to want to explore high spaces, keeping cats off counters can be difficult, and some feel it’s fine if you clean frequently. The arguments against counter access for cats focus on: cats walking in litter boxes and then on eating surfaces, risk of spreading germs, and difficulty training cats not to jump up.
There are a few potential compromises cat owners can consider: providing cat trees or perches to satisfy their desire for height, keeping cats off when food prep is underway, or allowing access only to empty sections of counters. Proper cleaning and hygiene is essential whichever approach is taken.
In the end there is no definitive right or wrong answer that applies to all cats and owners. Setting reasonable rules while providing alternative elevated spaces can help balance cat behavior needs and owner preferences. The most important factors are cleaning frequently and making sure cats do not have access when raw meat, produce or other food is out.