Veiled and She Cat, thanks for your suggestions. My husband doesn't like the squirting idea, but we'll see!

Melvin, I never heard of bach flower remedies - thanks - I'll check that out, too.

Damiea, yeah, I've been doing that - putting him off my lap and walking away. It's not working. When he was littler and used to jump on the table, we'd close him in a room for a few-minute time-out. I suspect it's too late for that now; should have thought of it at the beginning, but I was way too stressed out then! But how sweet your cat nurtured you. Our dog is like that with us.

Portabella, thanks for your idea. He could well be having ptsd issues, because he was rescued from the countryside last November, he only started doing this 2-3 months ago, and it does seem compulsive. I'll ask our vet about that, too. I'm glad your kitty is doing well now!

Thanks again, all - lots of good ideas to try here!!