Resulting from their climbing and balancing expertise, cats can discover a number of areas of their properties off-limits to canines. Canines 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, canine, or birds to entry areas the place I put together meals.
Not like my earlier cat, Olga hasn’t tried to leap on the counter, and by chance, 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 together with her entrance claws beneath the lip of the countertop and walks forwards and backwards. 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 skilled Olga to cease scooting round together with her claws on the counter’s edge as a result of it cracks me up. She appears hilarious, and it’s one of many few occasions, apart from automobile rides to the vet’s workplace, when I hear her voice.
After putting her meals bowl on the ground, I all the time 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 properties. Some homeowners might imagine conserving their cats indoors makes them much less more likely to contaminate their kitchen after they bounce on the counters.
Though that is sensible, indoor cats spend loads of time within the litter field. After Olga digs round and covers up her waste, the final place I need her to leap is a clear counter I take advantage of to organize meals.
Security Issues
I’ve mates who enable their cats to eat and play on the countertop, however I believe it’s a nasty concept for a number of causes. In addition to the potential for me getting sick from the litter field’s micro organism, I’m afraid Olga will get damage if she jumps on the counter and lands on a chef’s knife or serrated bread knife. I don’t eat out usually and normally make dinner at house, so I prep meals on the counter day-after-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 substances 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.
Typically, 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 chew. It’s onerous 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 atmosphere.