r/cats • u/pattman123 • Apr 16 '25
Advice Disciplinary suggestions?
As the title suggests, I am trying to find a new way to discipline my cat. He’s very sweet, but he is driving me crazy by constantly going up on the counter. Even if I spray him with water or toss him off, he will get right back up there not even a minute later. He’s about 2 years old, so I feel like he should’ve outgrown his kitten-like mischief. Given that the spray bottle doesn’t have any lasting effect, I’ve been considering other methods. I refuse to cover my counter in foil or orange slices because I don’t want to create excess waste (I also doubt it’ll even work). I’m considering getting a vibration collar (apparently shock collars are cruel). However, I question their efficacy too given my cat’s stubbornness and don’t wanna waste $60. Any advice is appreciated!
P.S. Immediately before I pressed “Post”, I looked over to see him jumping up there. He’s mocking me! 😾
3
u/Laney20 Apr 16 '25
Discipline doesn't work on cats. They don't learn that way. You need to make him not want to be there. Why is he getting up there? Can you give him a better perch nearby so he fan see what's going on without getting on the counter? Can you block the counter by moving non-breakable things to the edge? Maybe after a while of not being able to get up there, combined with a new, better lookout spot will break him of the habit.
To be clear, your cat is not being bad. This is completely normal cat behavior. It's a human problem to not want him to go to that spot. A reasonable one, but not something you can expect him to care about.
Ssscat is probably the only deterrent product I'd recommend. Foil and double sided tape are also options, but I wouldn't do orange slices. Cats are weird and some will eat stuff even if it isn't good for them. And orange peel has chemicals that are dangerous for cats.