Temporarily line the edges of your counters with double-sided carpet tape. Cats HATE getting their feet on anything sticky. It should convince your kitten to quit counter surfing after a few attempts.

Another thing that might work well is to purchase some of that clear, plastic matting that has nubby "prongs" on it. You can purchase it by the yard at places like Home Depot or Lowe's. Cut it to fit the length of your counters- cats hate the way it feels on their feet and it should cause him to immediately freak out and flee! Good luck.

Many animals will eat as much of whatever they can. So, put away all edibles -- behind locked doors and/or in the fridge. Or, if possible, close off that room to the cat.

You've gotten very good advice from the others.

I just want to say -- congratulations on getting a Manx!

We've had two over the years and they were both as you describe, very intelligent and doglike in their devotion to us humans. They also liked to climb and perch in high places. All of these are common personality traits for the breed. All kittens are curious and like to explore. He'll get calmer when he grows up.

We got a kitten (not a Manx, but very loveable nonetheless) about two months ago and he's been eating everything in sight too. He's now 6 1/2 months old. I think it's like having teenagers who are in a growing phase. They will slow down eventually.

Something else that works is to roll up several sheets of newspaper and fasten them with rubber bands. Keep them near the places you want to be off limits. When the kitten gets up there, smack the newspaper as loudly as you can near (never on!) the kitten and shout NO.

We got 2 kittens 2 weeks ago, they're now 8 and 10 weeks old. Oh boy! The older one just started playing with the lace curtains, so we have our work cut out for us.

Another way to keep him off the counters is to tape sheets of flimsy cardboard along the edge of the counter, so that at least 10 inches or so hangs over. The cat will try to jump on it, the cardboard will bend, and he'll end up on the floor. After a few days, he'll probably stop jumping up there.

You could also put mousetraps on the counter. Cover them with a sheet of newspaper so the cat doesn't get trapped. The noise of them snapping should deter him after a couple tries.

I've found that a squirt gun works great to train a cat (although some end up liking it).