A popular hack to keep cats off of counters involves covering them in tin foil to gently scare them when they jump up onto the surface. This approach certainly works, as the sound and feel of the unexpected foil make them jump backward. However, if you do not keep this consistent, it can train the cat to just expect the foil and the method to fail. What’s more, scaring your cat is not a good way to train them and can lead to further behavioral issues or timidness, so it is best to try other options first to help deter them.