Have a cat that won’t stay off your counters? I do. I finally got fed up with it enough to do something about it: scare the crap out of him with a motion-detecting blender (while recording the results for my own amusement, of course).
Confused at what you’re looking at? This is a repeating shot of security camera footage of my cat jumping on the counter – in search of a plant to munch on – and initiating my Blender Defender. Take a look at the following comic to get a better understanding 🙂
 
Videos
Sorry, but you’re going to have to pretend you can hear an extremely loud blender while you watch these clips
Details
If you were to walk in my house, you may see something you dont normally see in a kitchen. On the wall, to the left of my sink is a webcam (network camera). It is plugged into the network jack and screwed into the wall plate cover, supporting itself. It doesnt get it the way, nor do we ever have to think about it. The camera is being monitored for motion by my computer upstairs in our office.
The camera itself is one of the cheapest network cameras out there, the DCS-900. It can be picked up for about $120 or so. There are a couple network cameras that are a little cheaper, but the D-Link one is pretty rugged and makes it easy to get into the raw feeds, something that cant be said for many other cameras.
As you can see from the videos above, the blender and the strobe light are both controlled by an X10 unit. The unit is sent an on or off command from the computer running upstairs by means of an X10 Firecracker. The Firecracker is just a wireless X10 transmitter that plugs into your serial port. I wont get into explaining it much here, but one thing to note is that is happily co-exists with my CM11A unit.
The computer upstairs is running the ‘motion‘ library for linux. As soon as it detects something moving on camera, it starts recording frames. While it is saving frames, it also initiates another Perl script I wrote that sends an X10 command to turn on the blender and strobe, wait 3 seconds, then turn them off. After the script is done detecting motion, it then splices all the JPG frames together using ffmpeg and saves the resulting movie as a SWF file, which you can see above. Finally, after it saves the movie, I have it set up to email me a link to the movie so I can see the results from where ever I’m at (remotely by using my phone).
Is this cruel?
Of course not! To teach a cat not to do something, it has to get the idea that what it is doing is a bad thing. One way to do so is to sternly tell your cat ‘NO’ when it does something. The cat may learn that it is bad, but more often than not, the cat learns that it’s not supposed to it when your around. This is not what you want. The best way to teach the cat not to get on a counter is to take yourself out of the picture. If the cat jumps up on the counter and is greeted with a scare, it will learn that the counter is not a very nice place to be. The cat is never harmed, but it’s instincts tell is that this may be something to be feared. Just like a vaccuum. The cat doesn’t like it at all, so it stays away.
Some will say that the cat is trying to eat the plant because he needs it for his digestion. In this case, it’s just not true. Our cat doesn’t simply eat our plants. He sees them as a toy. He plays with the stalks, digs them out, etc. We find leaves in the other rooms half the time. And, yes, he does get grass every once in a while.
Project Cost
The table below shows how much money would normally go into a project like this. This isn’t to say that I’ve spent this much, as I already had everything lying around the place, but if somebody else were to start this project, this may be what they should expect to pay.
| Item | Notes | Price |
| Strobe Light | Bought from Spencer’s | 20.00 |
| Blender | Housewarming present, woot. | 50.00 |
| X10 Firecracker | Check Ebay and Amazon if you’re looking for one | 12.00 |
| X10 Appliance Module | You wouldnt want a Lamp Module for this. | 12.00 |
| Network Camera | D-Link DSC-900 | 120.00 |
| $214.00 |
First off, great work!
I'm just curious to see if the frequency of these videos has decreased over time at all. That would obviously show that the cat is learning, which I think it would do rather quickly. Actually, I'm curious if the cat has learned not to jump on the counter, or if the cat has learned to ignore the blender/light combo, both of which are entirely possible.
to
casper911ca, you've never been to key west! Feral cats form packs–they're called clowders. Domestic non-feral cats will too. A friend of mine has written about this, you can find it on Amazon.com "Cat's I've Known" by Barbara Bowers.
I also read recently cats had a better memory than dogs. Found a reference to it here: http://www.catsinternational.org/articles/training/the_intelligent_cat.html
OMG, a blender running is cruel so you say to feed your cat stuff to burn its mouth? holy logic batman.
The cats in those videos seemed scared to death, couldn't that provoke a heart attack on my cat?
Hilarious, who cares if the cat learns? it must be a constant source of amusement!
Wow – there are a lot of dolts commenting on here.
Cats are cool, and get on counters – people like cats and don't want them on counters. There is nothing wrong with training your cat. It is trained to shit in a box – why is training it not to be on the counter bad?
I absolutely LOVE this project – I will do it. I have 2 cats, the butter licker and the other cat. The butter licker will learn that licking butter causes spaztastic fright and maybe he will learn to stop butter licking. (OMG cat fanatics my cat obviously has a deficency and NEEDS butter… just like I need chocolate and vodka.)
And I have a dog too… she will learn a lesson about cleaning the cat box for me – so gross!!
I'm almost clapping with glee.
Fantastic project – love how you think!
@Kyron … The videos have dates on them… July 22 & 23, Oct 15 & 17. Are the July ones wrong? Or did this setup extinguish the behavior only to see it return once it was removed (like you telling the cat "NO") and so needed to be set up again in October? Or does the cat still do the undesired behavior after 87 days? Maybe the frequency has been reduced towards extinction?
Tacky & clearly no short-term results. A much simpler solution would be to move the plant outdoors. Cost: Zero dollars. Amount of time it takes your cat to kick the plant eating habit: a heartbeat. Amount of electricity wasted: none.
Second solution is to make it a hanging plant instead.
If you truly cared about the issue you say you're concerned about, you'd have simply moved the plant elsewhere. Countertop climbing is part of a cat's nature. The change in behavior needs to be on your end, not on your cat's end.
I'm surprised you didn't have the genius solution of revamping your kitchen and bathrooms to make the countertops 5 feet high!
I hate cats and I think the simplest solution is a bullet in the brainpan.
Price of bullet: 37 cents.
I love it! I believe your cats will get the message. Now I do love cats they are my favorite pet, however I agree with you in not wanting them on the counters, much less eating your plants. I have read several comments here which people think you should move the plants to other locations, or out of the house, and just let the cats do whatever they want, and that you should change your behavior. NO! Whats wrong with these people? Ignorant people that want to give more rights to animals than humans I just don't understand that thinking. Your not doing anything that is harmful to the cats, you have your plants where YOU want them, decorating your home. Who cares what a few ignorant idiots think. Keep sending the videos on the progress. Love the last video, I laughed so hard it hurt.
Marisa: Would you like some cheese with your whine?
Great stuff. XD
Funny as shit and I love it but frankly Ive got to go with Marissa on this one. Just move the damn plant.
dude, do you have a job?
[b]@Oi[/b] Yes, Plasma has a very good job. He works 40 hours a week, and makes enough money to be able to leisurely spend his spare time and spare money doing electronics/programming projects he enjoys.
The ones I'm curious about is those that have nothing better to do than come on here and bicker with other commenters or complain about things they have no control over and obviously don't understand.
Everyone who has some complaint: click on "Click here to see all comments" at the bottom, and read every post I have made – I've already responded to just about everything.
Marisa, having a cat on the Counter top climbing is not "part of a cat's nature". Its filthy considering that they dig up litter. I think it was a harmless and intuitive way of training his feline. Thinking outside the box is what people should do. Being a filthy cat lover is not the way.
marissas being a bitch
also to sarah you like have no life
Not bothering (or refusing) to train a pet because some unwanted behavior is in "its nature" is irresponsible pet ownership. Crapping on the carpet is in a puppy's nature, but any normal dog owner is going to house train it anyway. The counter top thing is no different. I've owned my cat (does anyone ever really own a cat?) for three years now, and she is for the most part very obedient and well-behaved, thanks to about a year of vigilant training through positive & negative reinforcement. After that first year, she no longer jumps on counters or claws the furniture. It has been just as much in "her nature" to learn from experience as it was to do those unwanted things.
Awesome work! Cats are a lot of fun but they tend to get into trouble given their curious nature.
[b]@po[/b]: Actually, you're right!
🙂
Making five foot high benches would do very little, Cats can jump higher than that.
I have had cats and still have one now, and every once in a while they'll steal stuff. if this could be packaged into a product, you could make some serious cash.
a cheap cam with the thing that turns power on remotely, plus a strobe and a sound sample. [mine hates the sound of a plastic shopping bag flapping]
Wolfie!
You should apply for Homeland Security funding for counter terrorism. :)~
I teach behavior modification techniques for animal training. You have created a pretty elegant solution to your problem. The aversive stimulus is immediate and isn't associated with you in any way. It's not cruel, the only thing that's harmed is kitty's dignity. Most pets surrendered to pounds (and euthanized) are brought in because of behavior problems. Anyone who takes the time to solve a problem is a hero. I would suggest two refinements which may not even be doable. First, I would prefer the aversive stimulus to be something unique. Not an appliance, in other words. Someday kitty may be doing something you like and then someone makes a margarita. Kiss that behavior goodbye! Second, if there was now some way to catch him before the act, like when he was looking up at the counter and getting ready to jump it would really help. The closer you can get to him thinking about the whole act, the better.
I just keep watching the videos, and I can't stop laughing.
If only there was sound as well. Someone donate this guy a wireless microphone.
So I will compose myself and NOT go into an angerfit directed people who are (in my opinion) pretty clueless about animals and "their nature".
Instead I will just tell you plasma, that this is FANTASTIC 🙂
P.S. The bad word filter is a nice idea but can you change the setting that parts of normal words like assured won't get Noodled?
Oh obviously you did in the meantime 🙂
I've found squirt bottles work really well in training cats. Also taking away what they like. e.g. If Amanda goes out, she needs to stay in our yard. The second she steps out of the yard, I put her back in the house. She now stays in our yard. Both methods do require you to be present and vigilant however.
Haha, brilliant and hilarious. I totally used to turn on the blender when I wanted my cats to clear out of the kitchen. The automated solution is better, though.
Absolute genius!!!
Marisa is obviously a complete 'tard. :/
That was the funniest ish i've seen in a minute!!! I kept watching and kept laughing!!!
It seems that the cat on the last video is not the same which explains some of the questions below 🙂
Doesn't it go off every time you want to use the counter top? What about watering the plant? Does this thing scare the shit out of your cat every time you try to make breakfast?
Cruel, hilarious, brilliant, etc…
Well I find all this interesting and all. I enjoyed reading the comments as much as I enjoyed watching the videos. Yes I found this on stumble, and stumble rules! Ohh by the way, you can correct my grammar usage, when you want to those grammar nazis out there. I don't really care.
Anyways, to all of those who complain that this is a cruel way to treat a problem, its rather brilliant in my idea. I don't particularly like cats, as I just don't associate with them well, so I'm not going to go into the logistics of all this.
@ Plasma: Awesome use of equipment, wish I had that much computer knowledge, I have a hard time trying to get my scanner to work, which is hard enough for me.
@ to anyone saying they went to college to take care of animals: Okay first of all, there is no college course saying how to take care of animals in a home setting, you are being taught how to take care of animals on a medical profession, I have friends who are going to college now for their vet degrees or whatever, and they have already seen this video and give it a thumbs up. Its all about conditioning.. Pavlov would be proud!
Ohh and by the way, those who think arguing on here is the best way to get their point across, you first need to learn how to read before typing. Way I see it, your allowing a animal into your home, yes we as people need to make some sacrifices depending on what you might or might not want your animal to do. I'm big about letting my dogs onto my furniture.. so yeah I live with fur on them, and have to make arrangements to clean them for company, yet, my dogs know that they are not to go into the trashcan, even when I'm not home. Cats are just not my forte, I do own a cat, she doesn't try to get up on my counters, at least that I know of, so we live a happy contented life. So it goes without saying some animals are more prone then others, it might be of their nature, but you know what.. when we were kids it was our nature to get into stuff and our parents/family, to discipline us to teach us not to do it again. So its the same effect here. Thank you have a good day!
cats have rights just as humans do , my kids love candy , it is not really good for them , but hey I love them , want them to be happy. candy makes them happy .. so Do I teach them to eat less of the stuff , or do I let them get rotten teeth and go through the pain of fillings and diabetes? AS for the cats .. they use their feet to kill birds , and to bury their litter and to walk round my kitchen counters .. If I got really sick from germs near where I make my food , I think the kitty's would suffer as I would not be able to look after them and give them as much cuddles .. All pets and people must learn the rules it is not cruel to teach your kids manners , not cruel to teach your pets safety and heath issues , not cruel to train them not the scratch up the furniture .. not cruel to potty train them , not cruel to teach a dog not to bite the neighborhood kids .. not cruel to teach your teenagers not to smoke … not cruel to educate people animals and plants .. esp not cruel to teach ivy to crawl up the walls and not cruel to the grass to mow it .. probably v cruel to not train your animals about traffic ,.. extremely cruel as untrained animals and children both cause problems for others as well as end up feeling awkward and unloved , eventually these feelings will cause the animal or person to strike out in some way or another, and if it gets serious enough, they end up in jail or shot dead … really .. just think about an untrained pit bull , one single incident of him latching onto a child's throat and he is put to death .. If you do not teach your kitty cat where he should and should not walk , then he might get hit by a car ..
listen up, benchtops were made fop cats as were beds, television tops, baths, boxes etc GET OVER IT!
Marisa … go @#$% yourself.
Let's not forget thet cats use a LITTERBOX, therefore their feet are covered with fecal matter, even if you cannot see it! If I had a cat and they jumped onto my counter I would use a bat to swiftly remove the nasty bastard.
Due to this project, one day soon all cats will be immune to human-controlled robotic conditioning. Then they will be able to outsmart us and our knives, swords, bows, even tanks. They will become an unconquerable mob of technosmart villains, ignoring Tender Vittles and instead eating HUMAN BABIES. It will be all YOUR fault, I hope for the survival of the human race you STOP IT NOW.
I agree with Marlessa, this is just cruel and dumb. I think everyone who gets enjoyment from these videotapes should be ashamed. Also, I came.
the third video is great, he couldn't get away fast enough.
you did a good job setting this up, and using a blender & a strobe light, genius!
i've use a bug killer to break bad habits of pets & to keep the strays away.
i will look into using your method.
to those who think this is wrong, being the human, you are in charge. you are the pack leader, not the pet.
as a pet owner, you have the responsibly of teaching your pet what they can & can not do.
if you fail in that responsibly, then you have failed your pet & you've failed as a pet owner, and possibly as a human too.
this is where behavioral problems come from, poor pet owners who are not in charge.
i have to ask, if you let your pet into your trash and don't put a stop to it, and later he gets into your neighbors' trash and he gets poisoned, whose fault is it your pet is dead? its your fault, not your neighbors. why is it your fault? because you didn't correct the wrong behavior.
This is brilliant! A true McGyver of the 21st century. Also, I love how in comments it will replace to first parts of as_ure and as_ume with Nugget because it detects the swear-word in them.
he he he
http://www.hip-hop.ir
سلام به ایرانیان
Marissa: I think that cats must rule your house and therefore you have adopted the policy of altering you behavior to please them. If this attitude carries over into other aspects of your life, you would probably be and awesome lover but a horrible parent. Let me remind you, "All progress is made by the unreasonable man, since the reasonable man will always stick with the status quo."
If you need it explained, here goes. By altering your behavior you are sticking with the 'status quo' (your cats have more power than you, in your own damn house). My man, with the blender defender, is not unreasonable in the way that we would consider him retarded but in the sense that he is not going to reason with a cat in his house. It is his rules and if the cats really don't like it they are free to go into the wild where they wont get fed or housed.
Soon these cats will be conditioned to avoid the appliances, the next step is to control them on their own!!!! What next? They'll be driving our cars, running us down in the streets! They'll be the masters, sending us off to work like slaves to buy them food while they nap luxuriously, even making humans clean up after their fecal waste, just because they can! That kind of tyrrany will be unbearable, it will be- uh, never mind.
poor kitties
Found this on Stumble. Great Stumble!
There's nothing wrong with training cats to not do things. I think this is a really good way of training the cat. To the people saying it will hurt their heart – the point is that the cat won't do it after encountering this a few times. I have had cats all my life, and have two cats now. They don't get on the counters and they don't scratch up my furniture. I used the sticky stuff, the spray, and the water bottle, but I think this is great for when you're not there. I personally think it's unsanitary for a cat to get up on a counter. And yes, I did have a cat who used to eat plants. I adore my cats, but I am the owner. I am the breadwinner. Therefore I make the rules.
Anybody have any ideas on how to get a cat to not try and run outside ever time I I come home from being outside? I'm thinking a spray bottle outside the door.
To Rott Owner, cats don't belong to packs and don't give a damn who the pack leader is. They're independent animals, unlike dogs (where your pack analogy would be appropriate). Ever heard of the Cat Whisper? No? Probably because one doesn't exist.
I'm so doing this to my cats! Then need to learn to stay off my countertops!