We could write a novel with stories of the interesting things we observe cats doing. Whether it’s spontaneous rolling over, winking, head butting, fascination with dripping faucets, or the energetic cat zoomies, our feline companions have many interesting behavior traits. Today we will look at one common phenomenon of cats: knocking things off tables, or any other resting place for that matter. So if you’ve ever wondered why your cat engages in this peculiar activity, hopefully our discussion will provide some answers!
Possible Reasons
While the first thought following a loud crash of an item on the floor may be, “What a bad cat, misbehaving again!”—like a child acting up—this apparent misbehavior can actually have a deeper meaning. Animal Behaviorist, Marilyn Krieger, has almost 20 years of professional experience addressing cat behavior challenges and offers some potential causes:
Misguided Incentive - Over the years pets have become increasingly humanized, with terms like 'pet parents' used to describe our four-legged companions as if they were children. One way that your cat may indeed be behaving like a person is with attention seeking behavior. For as strongly independent as cats can be, human attention from their favorite person is often sought. When a cat becomes the center of attention, even to be admonished after knocking over an item, the event triggers a reward incentive. Think of it as a feline tantrum like a toddler making a scene in the grocery store with the reward of attention from a parent.
Felines Are Hunters - Whether in posts about cats being obligate carnivores or making DIY toys for your feline companion, we’ve often highlighted how cats are instinctual hunters. The thrill of falling objects or the opportunity to chase something can trigger this natural instinct, which helps explain why cats love knocking things off our tables.
Boredom - Renowned 19th-century German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer was talking about us bipeds when he said “The two enemies of human happiness are pain and boredom,” but those words accurately describe cats too! When left alone without distraction, kitties will seek entertainment by swatting items from our countertops.
Preventing a “Crash”
While we may not be able to alter a cat’s instinctual drives, we can mitigate the problems our feline wrecking ball brings with three actions:
- Controlling Our Response - Our response to cat behavior can serve as the ultimate motivating factor, particularly when it is attention seeking. Attention is often interpreted as positive regardless of the type of attention it is. Keep this in mind when interacting with your cat!
- Rearrange the Decor - Here’s where we can be proactive in curbing problematic behavior. Try noticing a pattern in your cat’s destruction and preempt it by keeping counters clear or removing tempting items. If the items need to be around, try introducing them when you’re present for monitoring or, perhaps, stashing them in hiding places when away from home.
- Provide More Enrichment - Whether it’s items for scratching, a cat tree to climb on, or toys, anything that enriches a cat’s environment can help control unwanted behavior. Cats will oftentimes look for high perches for a better view of their surroundings so providing them a dedicated perch is a great idea!
Hopefully with better knowledge of the possible causes of your cat’s mischief and exploring some effective solutions, progress towards keeping tranquility in yours and your feline’s home can be made. After all, along with proper nutrition, a safe, stress-free home is crucial to a happy life. Find your nearest authorized RAWZ retail partner to join us in improving the lives of people and pets through minimally processed nutrition!
