One of the most common complaints that we hear as breeders, is people can't keep their cat off the table, or the dog from begging, and getting in everyone's way. To which I often ask myself, why haven't you put them in a different room, or their kennel? Seriously, lots of us have company for the holiday meals and nobody wants it spoiled by a cat rampaging through the sweet potatoes or Rover grabbing a drumstick off the platter on the table. The simplest and most reasonable solution, is excluding your pet from mealtimes. It's not cutting them out of the holidays, it's just preserving your sanity, and all that cooking. The pets can be treated after supper, or even before, which might take the edge off their appetites.
Our dogs have never been allowed to beg at the table, so even though they may be in the house, at normal mealtimes, they don't bother us. When we have company, they are outside, or downstairs in kennels. Cats however, are another species.
Many people get greatly frustrated, trying to keep their cats off the kitchen cupboards and tables. While you can keep your chairs tucked in, the cat's natural jumping abilities mean they bypass this step pretty fast. One of the basic tricks for disciplining a cat, is use of a water gun. Not too many of them will just shake it off and try again. But it may only work when you are there, and consequently they are back on top, when you're out of the room or the house. Trick #2, which I've never found that effective, is using krinkly things like strips of aluminium foil laid over the table or cupboard, so that it crackles when they land on it. If that is not an option, one that does have a fair rate of success, is two-sided carpet tape. Cats really do hate this stickiness, and if put up on the surface when you are not present, it could be a permanent solution. Another pretty good device, which will server you in other situations, is often called a "scat mat", but may be found under various trade names. The mat is "electrified", in that it gives a very mild shock to the cat when they land on it. Put the mat on their favourite landing spot on table or cupboard, and a few surprises may put an end to their efforts. If all else fails, and you are prepared to live with your cats' bad habit, but concerned about sanitation, use an inexpensive flannel-backed vinyl tablecloth, (or a nice linen one with a clear plastic cover) to lay over the table except at meal times.
