Help keeping cat out of kitchen

[u/AdvancedLifeguard733]

We have a 5 month old male British Shorthair. He's really low maintenance and easy going except for when we're in the kitchen cooking. He is persistent about being in the kitchen with us but our kitchen is small and it's dangerous for him to be in there while we cook. He eats a raw meat diet so dry treats don't work because he won't eat them. We've tired puzzle games with churro but he eats the treat and comes straight in. How can we keep him busy elsewhere while we cook?

Thanks!

[u/Ranos131]

You have to just keep picking him up and moving him out of the kitchen. It’s a pain but that’s the only way he’ll learn. Your other option is to lock him in a room while you’re cooking.

[u/AdvancedLifeguard733 → u/Ranos131]

Thanks for your help.
Happy to keep moving him. I have tried putting him in another room but he cries and feel like he's angry after we let him out. Maybe I'll just keep moving him if this is the best solution and he'll adapt to it

[u/Bubble-Nebula → u/AdvancedLifeguard733]

Give him a snack afterwards or have someone sit in there and play with him.

Otherwise it’s not the end of the world if a cat gets a little cranky because it doesn’t get its way. The main issue is that it will probably get harder and harder to move him into the room if he doesn’t get some sort of reward.

[u/PeterdeBeer22]

Are you preparing his meals in the kitchen? In that case he associates the kitchen with getting food. If you can prepare his food elsewhere, then the kitchen becomes less interesting to him. You can also get a slow feed bowl and feed him when you start prepping dinner. That works with our cats. When they're no longer hungry they leave us alone.

[u/ThestralofDeath → u/PeterdeBeer22]

This is great advice

[u/StrategyGlobal2714]

Cat does what cat wants to do. You can try to keep him away from the stove but cat is rebellious. Cat will come back. I gave up on trying to keep certain doors closed and keeping them off stuff. Cat runs this house I’m just a side character.

[u/Comprehensive_Toe113]

You're just gunna have to accept it lol.

Even if you think you succeed in keeping him out, he's getting up there when you go out.

So best thing to do is to just make sure he's safe, and wipe down your surfaces when you prepare food.

[u/AdvancedLifeguard733]

When we're not home he stays in his room which has everything he needs - was just hoping he could enjoy the apartment while we cook but not get into the kitchen - maybe my goals are too lofty - this is my first kitten and he's great in every other way

[u/Elysium_QQ]

Mine is obsessed with wherever the raw meat lives tbf

[u/AdvancedLifeguard733 → u/Elysium_QQ]

It's more wherever we are. If I'm out on the balcony cooking bbq he wants to come out there too

[u/ThestralofDeath]

You can try to give him a "spot" - if you're able to put a chair in a spot he can have a good view of everything, that would be ideal (they just have to know what's going on at all times haha), but if not, put a mat or something right outside the kitchen, preferably where he can still see you. Before you start to cook, put some Churu on a Lick mat (or, if he'll eat it, freeze some Churu or wet food on a mat beforehand). Every time he moves into the kitchen or off of his spot (toward the rest of the kitchen), calmly pick him up and place him back in his spot with a word (whatever you want to call it). Every. Time. If you see him voluntarily go to his spot, find ways to reinforce it, too (pets, soft praise, more treats).

You can teach a release word, too, for when you're done and offer more treats.

It'll take awhile and the more enrichment/activities you can give him on the spot, the better, but I know you're limited on treats so that limits your puzzle options. Have you tried freeze dried treats? They may be liked and can be used like dry treats.

Edited: wording. Added something.

[u/becpuss]

large Lick mat with churro in the other room it slows them down making the treat last longer I also sprinkle it on freeze dried chicken we’re doing this at the moment to distract the kittens so the adults can eat

[u/Everlongdn]

I'm sorry to break this for you but, no you don't have a choice. Either you pick him up and keep on moving him out of the kitchen or one of you guys have to keep him occupied while the other one is cooking.

[u/ninjastarkid]

I’m still working on this. If you have already taught them to sit it becomes easier.

I usually will point to the “borders of the kitchen” (or just behind the cat), and say out or back. My cat has gotten to the point where she just follows my finger and goes. If they don’t go, presume the cat is just following you so walk outside the kitchen while saying their name (seeing them make eye contact) then the command (out/back) quickly afterwards as they follow you out. Ask them to sit, give them head scritches or whatever, then go back to what you are doing. I’ve tried implementing a stay but it’s 50:50 if it’s actually working or if I’m just confusing her so much that she sits there contemplating my insanity.