Opinions on cats getting on the counter...

[Michelle.C]

I think if you are a sanitary housekeeper, it isn't so much of a problem. Everything around here gets washed before it's used for human consumption, counters disinfected, etc. So, the sanitary issues doesn't bother me.

As for them knocking stuff off the counter, never an issue. Both of our cats are extremely careful.

[broadude]

I don't have any cats anymore, but at one time we had 5. I didn't like them on counters because although sanitary measures are practiced..the kids would not pay attention most of the time. They might come in the house, get a glass of milk and a cookie and set the cookie down on the counter or table or whatever without cleaning it first.

As a rule, some cat germs are usually only a danger to some pregnant women.

[blackcrystal22]

Do you know how often cats clean their paws?

CONSTANTLY.

[Lateralus_Love]

Do you know how often cats clean their paws?

CONSTANTLY.

I've currently got five cats (six up until one week ago) and all save one get up on the counters. We clean our counters before we cook anyway, and nothing is ever put directly on the counters (that's what cutting boards are for, silly ) But, all of my cats are crazy about their hygiene. I always see Twilight cleaning, like, ALWAYS. And my Hershey pretty much cleans his paws when he's not harassing everyone else My dad's cat Buddy, wakes up, cleans himself. Uses his toilet, cleans himself, etc. Cat's are vain creatures lol. Their nails are dirty yes, because the claws have recesses where bacteria, poop, urine saturated litter dust, can accumulate, but their feet themselves, between toes, their bodies, are constantly being cleaned

[Ginevive]

I am a cat lover, and a cat person. But when I visit people's houses, and see their cats running amok all over the place, it does make me thankful for my cat. He is fat and lazy, and never jumps on counters, or on the fridge. He hates human food and will never eat off of any plates left out. I cannot even get him to eat crab, chicken, or any other meat if I try! Weird..
I don't know about some cats being able to be trained. My friend has two male Snow Bengals and I have seen her reprimand them off of the counter, only to see them jump RIGHT back up in about five seconds. I do not think that they can be trained.. my mom's run-o-the-mill orange tabby is exactly the same. Seriously. And water? Nope. They love water, and if you squirt them with it, you would be rewarding them because they will bat at it and play in it. LOL.
I don't like the idea of cats on the counter though. They Do dig in their litter box.. and germs Are in there. I know that pregnant women should not clean out litterboxes.. therefore, I don't know if it is such a stretch to say that, it could be dangerous for them to touch a counter where a cat's paws could have transferred bacteria or even kitty-litter with bacteria on it. I would be worried about visiting people, since, I might know that my counter is dirty, but they could possibly not.. And I am not even a neat-freak! I am the one who cleans the barn and has a bottle of Mountain Dew sitting on the manure cart. With chickens running around.. I must be immune to salmonella by now with the barns I have cleaned at!

[tweets_4611]

I voted no, but not really for the sanitary reasons. I have two cats and neither are allowed on the counters. I'm not saying they don't get up there when I'm not home (I know they do sometimes) but they know to stay off when I'm home. I like that b/c I know I can fix food without them coming up and trying to get in it. They sit at my feet and just hope I drop some.

I have also taught my cats 'No!'. I can't stand animals that beg for food (cats, dogs, whatever). Both kittens know not to go near the human food, and even when they try, all it takes is a firm 'no' and they stop where they are. They have even learned to sit before I feed them. They still meow, but they aren't running crazy around me wanting what I have.

I am very careful about leaving anything out, b/c I know any rules that I have go right out the window when I leave. So I put up any food and clean the counters before using them.

[Jenn]

I left my hat and gloves on the counter where my cat sleeps in an attempt to get her to stop sleeping there. The next morning I found my hat and gloves in her litter box, and she peed on them.

[mooingtricycle]

I dont really care.

I clean all surfaces before i cook anyway.

[Seneschal]

Lol, well, I can understand the hygiene aspect of it, but...we clean the countertops before cooking. I'd prefer that he didn't get up on the countertop, but I'll be the first to admit that my cat is a mean, snarky, disobedient little snot. When we take him off the counter, he'll jump right back up--while we're still standing there, and he'll give us a defiant look! We use a squirt bottle as a punishment, but whenever he sees us grab it and point it at him, he'll just hunker down, flatten his ears and squint his eyes and give us the MEANEST look imaginable. And then we have to squirt him a LOT before he'll move...and then he hops down, licks himself clean, and gets right back up.

We've sort of given up the battle after losing for two years...

[dr del]

Buy a hose.