Your cat: Hmm, I see a bowl of salsa on the edge of the counter. Maybe I should give that a little tap, tap, tap…
If you’re a cat parent, you’ve probably walked in on the messy aftermath of this thought process. Batting stuff off of countertops, tables, shelves or your desk seems to be a fun pastime for most cats. But why do they like to watch an object fall to the ground? Surely they’re not just doing it to be mischievous little kitties…
There are a few reasons why cats like to push things around, and most of the time it’s not to annoy their humans. From curiosity to attention-seeking to ancient hunting instincts, let’s learn why cats knock things over.
Why Do Cats Like to Knock Things Over?
The ancestors of domesticated cats had to hunt for their food, and that hunting instinct is still present in today’s cats, who now have their food delivered in a bowl. It’s in their nature to chase fast-moving objects — whether that’s a real or toy mouse, a cat wand or a cup that is now rolling around on the floor. It’s why cats love chasing toys that move, and if they don’t have a toy, they might just make something else move instead.
Why Do Cats Push Things Off Tables and Counters?
If there’s one thing we know about cats, it’s that they’re curious. They naturally have a “What if?” mindset, and they love to explore their environment and experiment with items in it. They are also keen observers; many cats will spend hours watching birds and squirrels from their window perch. So, when they see something new, it’s natural for them to be curious about it. “That bowl wasn’t there last time I was here. I wonder what happens if I just push it a bit…”
Cats will also push things off surfaces purely for their own enjoyment. A bored cat will cause mischief, much like a bored dog who digs holes all over the backyard. And if a cat pushed something off a table one time and found it entertaining, well, they’re probably going to do it again. Especially if you started paying attention to them because of it.
Why Do Cats Knock Over Cups?
Cups are an easy target for frisky felines and the best part (in their eyes) is that the result is you paying attention to them. It doesn’t matter that the interaction is probably negative as you wipe the spill off the floor — you still reacted to their behavior. Cats will quickly learn that knocking over a water glass (or anything else) elicits a reaction from you. So if they’re craving some attention, that cup on the counter is an easy target.
How Do I Stop My Cat from Knocking Things Over?
Cats knock things over for many reasons, so one of the first steps is to try to work out why your kitty is doing it. Are you paying enough attention to them? Do they have enough toys and window perches to keep them mentally stimulated while you’re not home? Do they have cat toys with movement that satisfy their natural instincts to hunt prey? Once you’ve worked out why your cat is in the habit of knocking things over, you can work out a plan to help curb the behavior.
One of the ways you can stop your cat’s knocking-over behavior is to make sure their environmental enrichment and mental stimulation needs are met. This involves giving them access to a variety of cat toys, cat trees, vertical spaces and other products that allow them to express their natural instincts and keep their brain stimulated. By scheduling more playtime in your day and purchasing new toys that are interactive, hopefully you can prevent the boredom and attention-seeking behaviors that lead to a bowl on the floor.
You can also try positive reinforcement training by attempting to catch them before they’re about to knock something over. Act quickly by redirecting your cat’s attention to something you don’t mind them playing with, like a toy, and reward their good behavior. If your cat really likes knocking items over, you may need to put breakable or valuable items in a cabinet or in a room that your cat can’t access.
Cats knock things over with their paws, it’s just what they do. If you’re not a fan of this feline behavior, make sure their attention, enrichment and mental stimulation needs are being met. Lastly, if you have household items that you’d rather not see on the floor, put them out of your cat’s reach. Keep that bowl of salsa in the fridge until you’re ready to eat it.
