Cats are climbing machines. This is primarily instinctive – in the wild, cats can hunt prey and evade predators with their climbing, jumping, and running skills. They have strong backs, long legs, and sharp claws that are ideal for this type of activity. While her house is clearly not a forest, and your cat may have absolutely nothing chasing her (other than Fido, maybe), she will keep pretending as long as she can. Tables, countertops, cabinets, and other furniture are prime territory for your cat to draw out some of its pent-up energy to climb and jump, until you train it otherwise.

Climbing dynamos

In the house, your cat’s main reasons for jumping and climbing probably have nothing to do with catching prey or hiding from something that is chasing her. Cats just like to be high up; it allows them to look down on the world and see what is going on.

The top of a refrigerator or dresser can often be a warm, sunny, and comfortable spot for a nap, something your cat will never turn down. Indoor cats need some sun exposure, so try to find a warm, sunny spot that is a bit safer for your cat to sleep in for the afternoon.

Another reason cats love to climb is to forage for food, even if only delicious little crumbs remain in the kitchen. Once you realize that you are likely to find these hidden rewards as a countertop scavenger, it will be more difficult to keep it away. Make sure your cat gets enough to eat and that no human food is left in the kitchen where your cat can access it.

Healthy alternatives for climbing

Since climbing and jumping is perfectly natural, it’s best not to punish your cat for doing it. Instead, provide plenty of safe, healthy, and acceptable alternatives for climbing, sleeping, and observing the world. A cat that is always climbing to find a warm, sunny spot may just be cold, in which case a cat bed with lots of extra warm blankets placed near a window that gets a lot of sun during the day may be sufficient.

If your cat likes to sit and watch the world go by, there are many commercially available perches for your cat that could provide the optimal space for people watching. A trip to your local pet supply store will uncover a number of possible solutions, such as sills that stick to your window. Some are even heated to help keep your cat comfortable in the cold winter months.

A cat that likes to see everything from a slightly higher vantage point might like a cat condo. Make sure the top of the tower is level with a window that allows your cat to observe the world. This gives you the natural feeling that you are in the trees looking at everything from above.

If your cat doesn’t stay away from kitchen counters, make sure you get in the habit of not leaving any potentially desirable food in the kitchen, not even small crumbs that might attract your cat. For cats that do not have weight problems, leave a bowl of kibble to chew on. This could discourage them from looking for food in the kitchen.

Training No-No’s

When teaching your cat to stay away from things, never use any kind of violent gesture, such as hitting your cat or hitting it with an object. It is also important to avoid telling your cat to leave the area by moving your hands; most cats become extremely aggressive and agitated when it comes to hands. Combine these gestures with an annoying or aggressive tone of voice, and your cat will be on guard and ready to attack.

If positive alternatives and gentle removal of the cat from prohibited areas are unsuccessful, there are alternatives designed to scare a cat out of the area. Anything that responds to movement and is likely to emit a sound or blast of air when your cat approaches, will generally be enough to keep him away.