![]() Kara Murphy is a freelance writer in Erie, Pa. But with a little training, you can teach your cat where not to leap. Slowly, as your cat starts to feel safer, they will come back down to your level and interact more.Ĭats are natural jumpers so you shouldn't discourage the behavior altogether. ![]() It's helpful to understand what they might be fearful of to help remove it from the environment. They might also be trying to get away from some other sort of danger if they feel afraid. ![]() Because of their ancestral lineage, cats that are sick or injured will hide themselves away to keep out of reach of predators. If you notice your cat jumping up high more frequently or shying back in hard to reach areas like cabinets or the top of a closet it might be because they are stressed or not feeling their best. They are hardwired to enjoy being up high where they are safe, but it is also good as the parent to understand the need to be hidden away from everyone. It's true that jumping is coded in your cat's DNA. If it's a spot you use frequently, attach the double-sided tape to a place mat so it's easily movable. Use Double-Sided TapeĬats hate the feel of double-sided tape on their paws, so it can be a good deterrent for a cat who continues to jump to a place you don't want them to go. Providing an approved place for exercise and jumping will also help keep your cat off of other high areas where they might not be welcomed. It's part of their innate behavior built into their DNA from their ancestors, where they would climb trees to escape predators as well as stalk their prey from high above before pouncing. It's important to note that you shouldn't completely eliminate your cat's ability to jump. Be imaginative! Cat trees are also an excellent way to let your cats jump and climb to their hearts desire. Keep it interesting for them by rotating the toys, boxes to hide in and even crumpled pieces of paper to bat around. Give Them an AlternativeĪ cat jumping condo gives your furry friend a place to jump, exercise, and explore. But make sure you give your cat at least one spot to look outside, as cats enjoy watching the world go by. If there's a windowsill that you don't want your cat to use, simply shut the blinds to take away the kitty TV. Shut the BlindsĬats like to jump to window sills to take in the outdoor view. If you find that your cat is intensely curious about what you're making for dinner-and won't stay off the counters while you're preparing it-simply shut your cat in another room until the kitchen is clean. By keeping counters clear of food and crumbs, you'll discourage your kitty from leaping onto your kitchen counters. That can be dangerous for them, depending on what the food is. Keep Food off Kitchen CountersĪ cat's sense of smell is much better than yours, so if they smell something tasty, they are likely to jump up to try to sneak a nibble. This can also be beneficial to you as cats are known for knocking things off shelves, and unfortunately they aren't good at handling a broom and dustpan to clean up the mess after themselves. By keeping shelves clear of clutter, you can also lessen your cat's interest in exploring places you don't want them to go. A pen, a set of keys, or a fragile knick-knack can catch their attention and tempt them to jump up to explore this "toy" that has been left for them to find. How can pet parents keep cats off furniture, shelves, counters, and anywhere else in the home where they don't belong? Clean off ShelvesĬats are naturally curious. While there is no argument that a cat's jumping ability is impressive, it can also be annoying (and dangerous, as Vetstreet notes cats don't always land on their feet) to have cats regularly leaping to spots in your home that are high above their heads. Cats start a jump in a very deep crouch, then lift their front legs before "an explosive extension" of their back legs. A study in the Journal of Experimental Biology reports that cats are superior jumpers because of the limb length and muscle mass of their back legs. Cats can easily exceed altitudes six times their height. After all, cat jumping skills are top-notch. That cat privilege extends-in their mind-to perches on the top of your counters, the upper reaches of a bookshelf, and even the top of the refrigerator. It's all fair game to a cat that wants to play, rest, hide, or is just plain curious. In a cat's world, nothing is off limits: the inside of boxes, underneath a bed, on top of your keyboard.
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