How to Keep Cats Off Dining Room Table?

How to Keep Cats Off Dining Room Table?

Cats are loving pets, and they are eager to follow you around the home. However, sometimes having them on the dining table is annoying as they disturb a lot.

How to Keep Cats Off Dining Room Table? You can keep cats off the dining table by properly training them about the restricted areas. Moreover, keeping the door close is a simple technique to keep them away from the table. You can put a rug or playmat in front of the door, so they get busy and do not disturb you. Furthermore, you can add cat trees, shelves, and toys to engage them in the activity. In addition, give them food first before starting your meal so that they do not jump on the table in search of food. 

Cats are naturally good climbers, and they love to jump or try to climb on the furniture, countertops, or tables.

They sit on the table or walk over them and damage the surface when you are not around. You can keep them away from the dining room by following the below techniques.

Train your cat

Cats are smart creatures, and they respond more to the things if you teach them. However, training your pets needs time, and you have to give 5 to 10 minutes of your day for a better understanding.

Give attention, and socialize with them before starting the session. For example, many people prefer to train their pets before meals as they are more responsive and attentive.

Therefore, you have to start the lessons during kittenhood so that they learn things from the beginning.

Firstly, if you want to feed them, then do not put the food on the table; instead, place it on the floor.

If a cat jumps on the top of the table, then take her off and not appreciate the move. If they learn to use a litter box, they can also learn to stay off from restricted places.

Do not place the favorite food on the table; otherwise, they will jump on it and pick the food. If they sit on the table, then shake your head as a gesture to take them off.

Keep the doors shut

The easiest method to keep your car away from the dining room is to keep the doors shut. You can close the room door so that they do not have access to it and touch the things placed on it.

You can even lock the door while eating to restrict their entry into the dining area. Do not give them attention, and eventually, they will move away from the door due to boredom.

Make the outside of your door unappealing, and redirect them to their favorite spot.

Use of rugs or play mats

Adding rugs to the doors gives a finishing look to your interior and keeps the floor clean. In addition, if you have pets in your home, then putting pet-friendly rugs outside the door gives them a comforting sitting place as they can roll over it and play with it.

Some people put play mats with hanging bells or balls to keep them busy in their activity. In this way, they keep their distance from the dining area and do not try to come inside.

Add cat toys

Cats love to climb, jump, and even sit in high places, so giving them alternates is the best way to keep them away.

Mostly they like to roam around the home and need a space for this. So you can invest in building a living space for them, so they do not climb on the table.

You can put a cat tree in the corner of your dining room so that they can sit or climb over it. Some people install the shelves on the wall to sit over it and do not disturb you.

They love the window side shelf, allowing them to look outside and a comfy place to relax.

By using sprays

You can discourage the cat from entering the dining room using natural repellants. Many people use water spray bottles to keep them away from the table as it is not harmful.

Some people use citrus fruit sprays on the surface so that they do not sit in such places.

They do not stay in places if the citrus fruit peels are placed as they hate their smell.

Moreover, you can air spray on them so that they may back off from the table. Using these sprays does not harm your pet, and they avoid to go on such places next time.

Cover the dining table

Make your table less appealing to cats so that they do not sit or walk on top of it. If they are of no use, keep all the food items in the cabinets, and cover the table with the cloth.

If you cover your furniture with a sheet, they scratch it with their paws. Some people prefer to use aluminum foil on its sides to keep them away as cats do not like the sensation of foil under their feet due to its slippery surface.

When you are not using the furniture, you can put sticky paper to restrict them as they do not like to walk on this surface. They do not sit on such surfaces if they find the material unpleasant.

Keep the table high

They look for high places to rest on or see outside through the windows and the closed doors. Cats love to explore things, and they wonder what is happening inside the closed doors.

Try to keep the height of your table high so that they do not climb up and access the food.

Moreover, you can make them sit on your lap to keep them away from the table if they are clingy.

Give food to cat

Sometimes your cat is hungry and roaming around the home, even the dining area to search for food. Moreover, if you eat in front of them, they will also try to eat.

So, there are fewer chances of grabbing your food and disturbing you during mealtime. You can feed them food before starting your meal to remain busy eating and do not come to you.

Distract them

If you see your cat coming towards the dining room, divert their attention by giving them toys.

If you put a toy mouse in the opposite direction, they try to catch it or run after it. You can also give a ball to distract them as they love to play with it and roll over it.

You can turn on the tv to engage your cat in watching an animated movie and cartoon. You can also hang paper bags with a thread for interactive play, and this is an excellent way to keep them away.

Sometimes you can give them stuffed toys of a small size to carry them with their mouth and play with them.

I have a box filled with coins and shake it when they come close to the dining area to distract them.

Positive reinforcement

As they are very responsive to the training, you can treat them if they obey your rules.

You can pet them on their head or back if they do not climb the table. Moreover, you can take them for a walk or play with them as a reward.

If you practice behavior for long, they develop the sense to move away from restricted places.

My friend also uses this technique as rewarding help in making your pet happy.

Block access to the dining room

Sometimes your dining area does not have a door then, you have to install it to keep your pets away. You can also put a barrier so that they do not enter the room again and touch the food.

Many people do not like that their pet cats disturb them during mealtime or sit near them. So they block the way by putting some obstacles or boundaries of the appropriate size to keep them outside.

Related Articles:

Why Are Dining Tables So Expensive?

Why Are Concrete Dining Tables Durable?

How Are Glass Dining Tables Good?

Decorate a Dining Table for Christmas