Cats and Countertops: What Olga Gets Away With

As a consequence of their climbing and balancing abilities, cats can discover a number of areas of their houses off-limits to canines. Canine are undoubtedly irritated after they see their feline roommates casually strolling alongside on the counter tops within the kitchen, however I’ve by no means allowed cats, canines, or birds to entry areas the place I put together meals.

In contrast to my earlier cat, Olga hasn’t tried to leap on the counter, and fortuitously, she’s not as agile as a Siamese. Nonetheless, she will get excited earlier than mealtime, and after I’m opening a can of meals or pouring kibble right into a bowl, she stands on her hind legs along with her entrance claws beneath the lip of the countertop and walks backwards and forwards. She’s a quiet cat, however she belts out her cutest meows to encourage me to maneuver sooner with the meals.

Playful Habits

I haven’t educated Olga to cease scooting round along with her claws on the counter’s edge as a result of it cracks me up. She seems to be hilarious, and it’s one of many few occasions, aside from automobile rides to the vet’s workplace, when I hear her voice.
After inserting her meals bowl on the ground, I at all times sanitize the counter. Since her claws solely contact the underside edge, they’re much less more likely to contaminate my meals, however I don’t like taking possibilities relating to meals security.

Indoor Cats vs Outside Cats

Indoor cats like Olga don’t usually encounter decaying carcasses, fertilizer, pesticides, or feces from wild or stray animals of their houses. Some house owners might imagine protecting their cats indoors makes them much less more likely to contaminate their kitchen after they soar on the counters.

Though that is smart, indoor cats spend loads of time within the litter field. After Olga digs round and covers up her waste, the final place I would like her to leap is a clear counter I exploit to organize meals.

Security Issues

I’ve mates who permit their cats to eat and play on the countertop, however I feel it’s a nasty thought for a number of causes. Moreover the opportunity of me getting sick from the litter field’s micro organism, I’m afraid Olga will get harm if she jumps on the counter and lands on a chef’s knife or serrated bread knife. I don’t eat out usually and often make dinner at residence, so I prep meals on the counter each day.

Though I let her close to the counter after I’m making ready her meals, I maintain her away when chopping greens, making dough, or working with elements like onions and garlic. Olga isn’t a choosy eater, however since onions, garlic, and any species from the Allium household are poisonous to felines, I maintain her away from the kitchen after I’m prepping them.

Generally, the aromas from cooking are an excessive amount of for her to disregard, and she or he runs into the kitchen and begs for a chunk. It’s laborious to withstand the pleas of a primarily silent cat, however I say, “No!” and she or he walks away reluctantly. In case your cat performs on the counter tops, I counsel coaching them to discover different areas of your house.

The kitchen is harmful, even for people, and your gourmand meal will delight your loved ones and mates much more when ready in a sanitary setting.