Another Behavior Problem

[diane peluso]

Our youngest cat (again) will not listen. He constantly jumps on the counter, table, stove and in the sink. Nothing I say or do will correct this behavior. I tried giving him a "time out", yelling, and splashing him a little with water.

[Dr. Jennifer Sobie]

Although many people will advise spraying a cat with water to get him to stop doing something, it is unpleasant for the cat and, as you have found, won't keep him from doing the behavior when you are not around. A better approach is to redirect his behavior. Play with him with toys designed for cats, such as sticks with strings and feathers attached to them, and play away from the areas you don't want him. Don't leave food on your counter. Make sure he has acceptable places to perch high, such as shelves he can reach and fit on comfortably secured to the wall. Your approach must be to teach your cat what to do, not try to teach him what not to do. I'm attaching an article on Feline Enrichment to give you ideas of things cats enjoy.

Dr Jennifer Sobie

[diane peluso]

He does this when I'm not in the room. I never leave food out ever. He'll eat everything/anything. He has lots of toys, he loves the window sills, and I have four cat stands (one over 5 feet high). I play with him and he loves to torment my other two boys.

[diane peluso]

Oh. I forgot to say. He loves sitting on the window sill (all of them) especially in the kitchen so he can watch the birds and squirrels. When I'm home, I leave the inside kitchen door open so he (and my other two boys) can watch up close.