How do you make them stop?!?! Lately, he's been driving me crazy, needing to be up on EVERYTHING! I sterilize my counters and table about 10 times a day! Anybody have tricks for keeping them down, or do you just let them have their run of the place?

Noooo...they need to be taught to not go up there. I don't have cats myself, but any animal on the kitchen counter is a NO.

I'll let the other Cat Mommies take it from here!

Good Luck!!!

Ok...had to Google.

http://cats.about.com/cs/behavioralissues/a/counter_surfing.htm

Here are some ways of keeping cats off the counter that have been found to be successful by some readers:

• Apply Sticky Tape to the Edge. Cats hate the feeling of sticky tape, and will be discouraged after one or two tries. The disadvantage is that you may have to keep reapplying it indefinitely, and the sticky stuff may be difficult to clean up afterward.
• Tape a Strip of Aluminum Foil. It's not only the feel of it on their toes, but the noise that deters cats.
• The Pennies in a Can Trick. This is an old tried-and-true means of deterring cats from many forms of undesirable behavior. Drop a few pennies (or pebbles) in an empty aluminum can and tape the opening. When you see your cat start to jump on the counter, shake the can loudly. The problem here is that he'll learn it's okay to jump when you're not around.

  Another method is to place several of these "shaker cans" right at the edge of the counter with just two or three inches betweeen them. One jump will bring down all the cans, and make a terrific racket, which will also bring down the cat.

• The Spray Bottle. I don't generally approve of using a spray bottle for discipline, because some people just get carried away and end up drenching the cat. However, ONE very quick spray set to fine mist will do the trick for that one time. If you can manage to do it so the cat doesn't connect you with the uncomfortable feeling, it may be a permanent solution. (However it's my opinion that cats are a lot smarter than we give them credit for.)

Commercial Deterrents

Although it may seem to be a Draconian solution, there is an excellent product called Ssscat! which uses a three-pronged approach. An electric-eye sensor on top of a canister which detects the motion of the cat. A loud alarm sounds, coupled with a quick spray of harmless gas. The unit is adjustable, and the spray can be turned off for sound conditioning.

Another Product, called the Tattle Tale utilizes a vibration detection and a two second alarm, and then automatically resets itself.

Although not a deterrent in itself, an automatic water dispenser can be the solution for cats that counter surf exclusively for the purpose of finding fresh drinking water. I've compared the top brands on the market here.

Give Him Legal Jumping Targets

Invest in (or build) a climbing tree or a cat tower for your kitty. Make it interesting enough to hold his attention, and once in awhile, "sweeten the deal" by hiding a tasty treat at the top. Pet him and praise him when he uses his climbing tree, so he will associate it with positive feelings.

By using a little ingenuity and staying "one jump" ahead of your cat, you should be able to discourage counter-surfing by your cat. <!--/gc-->

LOL, CNS - thank you!  I'm going to try the tape thing tonight and see how it goes... He is allowed on the top of the washer/dryer b/c that's where his food is (can't put it on the floor or the dog will eat it), and he's got lots of diversional tools around the house including a tower (he prefers to use my wicker chairs to scratch and climb, but whatevs). Gotta make the little butthead get that kitchen and dining room are off-limits!!

The foil and spray bottle work well.  Unfortunately, my cat gets to go on one counter in our kitchen because that is the only way into the greenhouse window (the only window in the house that gets sun).  But she knows she is only allowed on the one and doesn't go on any of the others (after foil & spray bottle). :)

We clap when our cat gets on the counter and she gets down. Same with when she climbs our trees in the house.

We've had a lot of success with the spray bottle, and actually don't need it anymore.  But I know that sticky tape works well too - Let us know how it goes Gator!

We have that problem with our kitty, too.  We use a spray-bottle and yell very loudly at him when he jumps up there.  It works allright, but he still tries to "test" his boundaries.  Especially when we have food or dirty dishes on top.

My MIL knew someone who had completely covered her counters with duct tape one night to teach their new kitten to stay off the counters.  The cat jumped up once and ended up getting stuck up there!  Luckily they were still up and nearby so the kitty wasn't hurt, but that cat has never tried to get up there again!

Spray bottles have worked miracles in our house.  We rarely have to even use it anymore. 

We've had success with nothing.  Our cat is constantly on the counter and even broke into my MIL's pumpkin pie last Thanksgiving.  MY MIL hates cats, so needless to say, ours isn't going to be changing her opinion anytime soon.  :)