Initially, I put the garbage can on a stool so the cats couldn't reach
the rim to turn it over.  Recently I have install bungee cords to
strap the can to the end of the counter.

The only time one of our cats started doing this, was with the ex-stray who
was used to having to find his own food, and if I hadn;t left his favourite
food out, which is raw meat, and there were scraps of meat in the
garbage,..he'd have a go at getting into it.
He didn't try very hard, and went back to their bowls of soft and hard-food
(biscuits) which were always available. So I'm guess ing perhaps you may
need to leave a few biscuits out between meals?

Jason

My cat just likes to play with the garbage...mainly anything paper or that
makes  sound like paper does.  So, after coming home and finding the
bathroom trash overturned one day, I decided to just put both of my trash
cans inside the closet in the kitchen, which is where I already had my large
trash can.  My advice, find somewhere to stash it.  I've found that cats
generally like what they like and go where they want to go and all is much
easier if you understand that.  So, I chalked it up to a way of not having
to clean up a mess.  My kitty can get into cabinets too, so I don't put
anything too exciting in there.  I did tie together my cabinet for spare
plastic bags because my cat about went insane when she found it.  She then
tried to pry it open for like a month...usually at 3 am.  I'd say just stick
with what is working. Keep the lock on :)  Or, buy a large trash can and
stick it in a closet with a regular knob so she cant' get in it.
Beth

Put red pepper all over the garbage and in front of the trash.