Problem Solving & Advice by Pam Johnson-Bennett Cat Behavior Expert & Best-selling Author
You’ve seen it on countless videos and most likely witnessed it many times with your own cat. If a cat is on an elevated surface and there are small objects on there as well, he often can’t resist the urge to use a paw to push something over the edge.
A person who doesn’t like cats may easily explain this behavior as just a typical example of how cats are jerks, intent on annoying people. Even some cat lovers may agree with that explanation but is there any truth to it? Do cats knock things over just to annoy people? Certainly not! For cats, this behavior makes sense. Here are some potential reasons why cats may knock things over:
Cats use their paws to explore and test
When a cat has captured prey, he often uses his paw to test if there’s any movement. If unsure of an object, he may also paw for exploration to check for any movement. You may often see this with your cat if he comes across something on the floor, such as a piece of food, an insect that isn’t moving or any other small object. It’s safest for the cat to explore the object with a paw before putting his face close to it.
A cat may also use a paw to test the water level in the water bowl. This is especially common if the water bowl is too deep and would squish their whiskers if the cat tried to lower his face in to drink. The cat develop the technique of wetting a paw and then licking the water from it.
Cats use their paws to move objects for play
There may be some objects on your nightstand or on a table that will roll if they fall to the ground. If the cat is looking for something to play with, he may test objects with his paws to see if they’re light enough to become an impromptu toy. With some objects, if they fall to the ground and roll on their side, that adds more enticement. It could even be the sound of a particular object hitting the floor that sparks play behavior in your cat.
If the problem is that your cat is knocking things off your desk such as pens, paperclips or flash drives, keep in mind how irresistible these lightweight objects must be to a cat looking for some playtime stimulation.
Boredom is probably a big factor when a cat knocks things over to engage in playtime.
Cats may knock things over as an attention-seeking behavior
Cats are very smart. They engage in attention-seeking behavior and it’s repeated because it gets a response from the human family member. The classic example is the cat who knocks something off the nightstand and it wakes the cat parent. What does the cat parent often do? Get up and put some food in the bowl to quiet the cat. Bingo! Kitty quickly learned a successful technique.
A cat may also knock things off tables at other times because it tends to get a response. Even if the cat parent yells at the cat or reacts in any way, it’s still a response.
Knocking objects over can be dangerous for your cat
Even if you don’t mind that your cat engages in the behavior, it can pose a risk. Glass objects knocked over can shatter. Pill bottles that aren’t securely sealed can spill their contents when knocked to the floor. There are many objects on tables that if knocked over, can create a danger to the cat.
How to redirect the unwanted behavior
Reduce temptation. If you have a cat who tends to knock things over, then the first step is to make sure objects known to be enticing are kept out of reach or secured. Valuable or breakable objects meant for display can be secured using earthquake/museum wax. Small objects such as pill bottles, jewelry, etc., should be placed in drawers or cabinets. If your cat likes to knock cups or water glasses over, use heavier, weighted cups to reduce the chance of movement.
Provide safer alternatives. If boredom is the reason your cat knocks things over then it’s time to tweak the fun factor in your home. Keep your cat occupied with cat-friendly adventures such as playing with puzzle feeders. Whether you buy puzzle feeders or simply create some homemade ones, they’re a wonderful way to satisfy your cat’s desire to discover, play and then get a bonus reward for his efforts.
Strategically place safe cat toys, such as furry mice, crinkle balls and whatever else your cat likes, all around the house for fun discovery. If your cat likes batting objects to the floor, place a cat toy on the perch of the cat tree so he can knock that to the floor and then go chasing after it.
Play with your cat. Even if you’ve set up the environment with solo activities for your cat, there’s nothing better than playtime with you. Use a fishing pole-type toy and engage your cat in at least two play sessions per day. When you do the playtime, move the toy like prey so your cat can satisfy the natural desire to seek, stalk, pounce and capture.
Don’t reinforce unwanted behavior. If your cat is knocking things over to get your attention, don’t reward with petting, food or even a reprimand. It’s also important though to figure out why your cat is asking for attention so you can address the problem. Is it that he isn’t getting enough playtime? Are you inconsistent with the feeding schedule? Is your cat simply bored?
Need More Information?
For more information on cat behavior and training, refer to the best-selling books by Pam Johnson-Bennett. Pam’s books are available at bookstores and online. We’ve included links to Amazon here on our website.
If you have a question about your cat’s behavior or health, contact your veterinarian. This article is not intended as a medical diagnosis nor is it a replacement for your cat’s regular veterinary care. This article is for general information purposes only.
