In a cat's world, nothing is off limits: the inside of boxes, underneath a bed, on top of your keyboard. It's all fair game to a cat that wants to play, rest, hide, or is just plain curious.
That cat privilege extends—in her mind—to perches on the top of your counters, the upper reaches of a bookshelf, and even the top of the refrigerator. After all, cat jumping skills are top-notch. Cats can easily exceed altitudes six times their height. 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 start a jump in a very deep crouch, then lift their front legs before "an explosive extension" of their back legs.
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.
How can pet parents keep cats off furniture, shelves, counters, and anywhere else in the home where they don't belong?
Clean off Shelves
Cats are naturally curious. A pen, a set of keys, or a fragile knick-knack can catch her attention and tempt her to jump up to explore this "toy" that has been left for her to find. By keeping shelves clear of clutter, you can also lessen your cat's interest in exploring places you don't want her to go. 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.
Tasty Tips
Keep Food off Kitchen Counters
A cat's sense of smell is much better than yours, so if she smells something tasty, she's likely to jump up to try to sneak a nibble. That can be dangerous for her, depending on what the food is. By keeping counters clear of food and crumbs, you'll discourage your kitty from leaping onto your kitchen counters. 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 her in another room until the kitchen is clean.
Shut the Blinds
Cats like to jump to windowsills to take in the outdoor view. If there's a windowsill that you don't want your cat to use, simply shut the blinds to take away her kitty TV. But make sure you give her at least one spot to look outside, as cats enjoy watching the world go by.
Give Her an Alternative
A cat jumping condo gives your furry friend a place to jump, exercise, and explore. Keep it interesting for her by rotating her toys, boxes to hide in and even crumpled pieces of paper to bat around. Be imaginative! Cat trees are also an excellent way to let your cats jump and climb to their hearts desire. It's important to note that you shouldn't completely eliminate your cat's ability to jump. It's part of their innate behavior built in to their DNA from their ancestors, where they would climb trees to escape predators as well as stalk their prey from high above before pouncing. Providing an approved place for her to exercise her jumping skills will also help keep her off of other high areas where she might not be welcomed.
Use Double-Sided Tape
Cats 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 her to go. If it's a spot you use frequently, attach the double-sided tape to a place mat so it's easily movable.
Understand Her Jumping Behavior
It's true that jumping is coded in your cat's DNA. She is hardwired to enjoy being up high where she is safe, but it is also good as her parent to understand her need to be hidden away from everyone. 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 she is hiding an injury. Because of their ancestoral lineage, cats that are injured will hide themselves away to keep out of reach of predators. She might also be trying to get away from some other sort of danger if she feels afraid. It's helpful to understand what she might be fearful of to help remove it from her environment. Slowly, as she starts to feel safer, she will come back down to your level and interact more.
Cats are natural jumpers so you shouldn't discourage the behavior altogether. But with a little training, you can teach your cat where not to leap.
Contributor Bio
Kara Murphy
Kara Murphy is a freelance writer in Erie, Pa. She has a cat named Olive.
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