Cats are climbing machines. This is mostly instinctive: In the wild, cats can hunt down prey and evade predators with their climbing, jumping, and scurrying abilities. They have strong backs, long legs, and sharp claws that are ideal for this type of activity. Even though her house is clearly not a forest, and her cat may have absolutely nothing chasing her (aside from Fido, perhaps), she’ll keep pretending whenever she can. Tables, counters, cabinets, and other furniture are prime territory for your cat to draw some of her pent-up energy into climbing and jumping, until you train her otherwise.

climbing dynamos
Around the house, your cat’s main reasons for jumping and climbing probably have nothing to do with catching prey or hiding from something chasing it. Cats just like to be on top; 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 refuse. Indoor cats need some exposure to sunlight, so try to find a warm, sunny spot that’s a bit safer for your cat to take her afternoon nap.

Another reason cats love to climb is to forage for food, even if it’s just delicious little crumbs left in the kitchen. Once you find out that she’s likely to find these hidden rewards as a counter scavenger, it’s going to be harder to keep her away. Make sure your cat eats enough and that there is no human food left in the kitchen where your cat can access it.

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

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 attach to your window. Some even have heating to help keep your cat comfortable in the cold winter months.

A cat who likes to look at everything from a slightly higher perch might like a cat condo. Make sure the top of the tower is level with a window that allows your cat to see the world. This gives him the natural feeling that he is in the trees looking down at everything from above.

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

Training No-No
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’s also important to avoid telling your cat to leave the area by waving 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 careful removal of the cat from prohibited areas are not successful, there are alternatives designed to scare the cat away from the area. Anything that responds to movement and can make a sound or puff air when your cat approaches will be enough to keep him away.