How to Keep My Cats Off of My Brand New Sofa, Tables & Counters

Cut strips of double-sided tape and place them along the edges of the furniture and counters. Cats do not like anything that could stick to their paws or bodies. This is not recommended for leather furniture.

Make loud and sudden sounds whenever the cat attempts to climb onto forbidden areas. Cats, like most people, are scared when they hear sudden loud noises. If this happens often enough, they associate the forbidden areas with unpleasant sounds and learn to stay away. You may clap your hands loudly, ring a bell wildly or use other types of noisemakers. For instance, pour small stones into a soda can until it is half full then seal it with masking tape. Throw the can close to the cat whenever it visits the new furniture and counters.

Line the edges of the counter and furniture with aluminum foil. Cats do not like the sound of the foil or the feel of it on their paws. Keep the foil in place for as long as it takes the cat to learn to avoid the new items.

Spray a citrus scent, such as a lemon-scented air freshener, around the items. Cats avoid anything with this scent.

Purchase a scratching post to divert your cat's attention from the sofa, tables and counters. Your cat may prefer scratching at a post covered in a material similar to that on the sofa and sprayed with attractive scents, like cat nip, to scratching at the furniture or sitting on it. Praise her lavishly when she chooses the post over the furniture.

Provide a resting area for the cat in a quiet part of the house. This could be a cat bed or a few comfortable blankets on the floor. The area should contain other cat comforts and needs, such as food, litter box, toys and scratching post. Encourage your cat to go to this area when it needs to rest instead of climbing onto the furniture or sofa.