Why Cats Knock Things Over: Explained by Experts
Your brand new iPhone, antique figurine, full glass of water—they will swat it off the table. A cat behaviorist explains why.
In This Article:
Most Common Reasons Cats Knock Things Over How to Prevent Cats From Knocking Things Over Frequently Asked Questions
You’ve heard the telltale crash and shatter at 2 a.m. You’ve come home devastated to find your favorite plant and a pile of dirt on the white rug. That’s right. Your cat’s insatiable need to knock delicate and messy things over strikes again.
Is there anything you can do to stop the devastation? YES!
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Most common reasons cats knock things over
One of the best ways to live in harmony with your cat is by trying to understand the “why” behind their behavior. If you know what drives them, you can more easily figure out how to modify unwanted behavior in ways that actually work.
Let’s talk about why your cat is knocking anything and everything from everywhere.
Instinct
You can connect just about everything your cat does to instinct. It drives their playfulness, curiosity, cautious nature, and more. Not only is it a stand-alone reason they knock things over, but it’s also at the heart of just about every other reason they do it.
Boredom
Cats need mental and physical stimulation. If you don’t provide enough, they’ll go looking for their own. That often includes moving things, pushing them around, and even watching them fall.
Cats also learn, innocently, how to get what they need. This includes how to get your attention when you’re busy and they’re bored, hungry, etc. If knocking something off the mantle means you drop what you’re doing and run over to pick them up, they take note. If they’re thirsty and knocking over a glass of water gives them something to drink, it seems like a natural choice.
Exploring their environment
Cats are explorers by nature. One way they explore is with their paws. Touching something and seeing it move might lead to the inevitable push that sends it flying.
Investigating something new
Whether you’re a predator or potential prey (cats are both), you learn quickly that it’s in your best interest to know what’s around you. If you bring a new item into your home or move something to a new location, your cat will want to check out the situation. This often leads to knocking something over, as I discovered this morning when my cat sent a vase crashing to the floor because I’d put it in a new spot.
Accidental knockoffs
We aren’t always in control of our limbs. Neither are cats. They can certainly knock something over inadvertently as they move through an area. They get into tight spaces. And they’re not likely to pick a different route just because there’s stuff in the way. They’ll tiptoe over, under, and through. Things often get knocked over in the process.
Playfulness or curiosity
There’s no rule in the cat kingdom that says they’re only allowed to play with things that come in a package with a picture of a playful cat on the front. Anything can be a toy, especially to a high-energy cat looking for stuff to do. In their mind, if they can reach it, it’s fair game. And if they can’t reach it, it becomes a new game of How Do I Get That.
How to prevent cats from knocking things over
There are many ways you can work on this behavior, as well as making items in your home less of a target. And let’s not forget the best way to encourage the behaviors you want to see more of — positive reinforcement.
Manage their environment
There’s a degree of catproofing needed in every home. Just because your last cat never jumped on the counter doesn’t mean your new cat won’t. It’s often easier to adapt to their nature versus fighting against it.
Consider placing delicate items in cabinets with glass doors, using museum putty to secure things in place, and positioning items out of your cat’s reach using things like wall shelves and hooks.
Provide enough playtime and exercise
The best way to manage boredom and attention-seeking behavior is to meet that need for your cat in better ways.
This doesn’t mean you have to set aside big chunks of time. Cats are high frequency, low intensity interactors. They like lots of simple, short interactions. Tossing a toy a few times while you wait for the microwave or setting up a food puzzle when you stop work for a water refill can do wonders for your cat.
Use deterrents
Never use deterrents that cause discomfort or stress! Electric or spiked mats do more harm than good. Even motion-activated air cans can cause stress, as can being sprayed with a water bottle.
Stick with deterrents that simply encourage your cat to choose another option. Double-sided tape (designed specifically for cats) can help keep them off surfaces, as can crumpled aluminum foil. It’s not painful. But if they have the option to stand on it or not, they’re more likely to choose not.
You generally don’t need to keep these things up all the time. Your cat should learn that those areas aren’t ideal for hanging out.
Provide alternatives
It’s all about meeting their needs in ways that also work for you. For example, if your cat keeps pushing stuff off the mantle so they can nap there, try giving them a dedicated sleeping spot, up high, in that area.
Then you can use positive reinforcement to encourage them to make the “right” choice moving forward. Most cats will choose the option that consistently leads to a treat or attention.
Make sure they are getting stimulated enough
We often think about play for our cats. But what about those brains and all their amazing senses? They need ways to exercise their problem-solving skills, use those sharp eyes, practice sniffing things out, etc. Mental enrichment is a great way to wrangle a cat’s inquisitive energy.
Redirect attention to toys they like
If you think your cat is knocking things off to get your attention or because they’re bored, it’s important to meet that need. However, be careful not to unintentionally teach them that their plan worked.
Spike the Cat is about to knock over Grandma’s cherub figurine, and you run over with a toy to distract him. Spike now knows how to get play from you.
Instead, try interrupting Spike in a neutral way. Pick him up and set him on the floor (no talking) or call him over very nonchalantly. Don’t make a big fuss.
Then wait a minute or two. Now, meet that need with play, attention, a brain game, or another activity. This way, he won’t connect the knocking over of things with the attention that follows.
Bottom line
Think about your cat’s motives. Are they trying to get your attention? Are they bored and looking for things to do? Maybe they’re checking out a new addition to the living room?
Find the “why” so you can come up with a plan to change their behavior.
Think about what you can do in the home to make this battle easier. Using museum putty to secure objects, placing them in inaccessible areas, using display cabinets, etc., can remove temptation and give you a sense of security that things won’t be broken or knocked off.
Use lots of positive reinforcement to teach your cat what you want them to do instead of knocking things over or getting into places they shouldn’t. A cat who loves to tip over your water glass might learn that sitting next to the glass without touching it gets them treats and tons of love.
FAQs
Are certain objects more likely to attract their attention?
There aren’t necessarily specific objects that attract all cats’ attention. Some may love to whack small stuff that flies far. Others might knock something larger over because they’re trying to put their paws in an opening. Some might just be trying to pass by and knock stuff on in the process.
Do cats knock things over to get a rise out of you?
To say cats knock stuff over to get a rise out of you makes it sound nefarious. It’s more basic than that. If your cat needs something (attention, play, food, etc.) and you respond when they knock something over, they simply learn that’s how to get your attention.
If they keep doing it over and over what to do?
Your cat won’t stop knocking things over if there’s no reason to, or that initial need still isn’t being met. Think about why your cat is doing this. Then you can use the tips above to work on the issue.
