 The third of cat owners let their cats on the counter, but it's actually not that gross. While other things we put on the counter carry viruses, harmful bacteria, and even fecal matter, it's not necessarily true for cats. Why? Cats are extremely clean. Not only do they spend 50% of their waking lives cleaning themselves, but they're saliva is antibacterial, so their paws definitely get washed more than yours. Also, shouldn't you be wiping down your tables and counters before making food anyway? If you really want to try and keep them off, though, clean surfaces regularly or try covering them with foil. Now, dogs are a different story.