Why Do Cats Like to Knock Things Off Tables? Reasons and Solutions
Why Do Cats Like to Knock Things Off Tables? Reasons and Solutions
Have you ever encountered this situation: your cat always likes to knock things off the table, and even if you pick them up, the cat will continue to push! This is a really maddening behavior. Why are cats so handsy? Are there any ways to correct them?
Cats like to paw and push things around for the most common reasons:
1. Enjoying the fun of exploration and hunting
Cats are naturally born hunters, and they like to explore their surroundings through touch. Cats have rich sensory nerve endings on their paws, and when they touch and tap objects, they can feel the texture and weight of the objects. Therefore, cats can "know" an object through this method. This also helps cats identify potential prey. Pawing around can determine whether something is dead or alive and whether it is dangerous. If you push it and it rolls away, they will be excited, "This thing is alive, I need to explore it."
2. Interacting with the owner as a game
Cats are social animals and they crave interaction with their owners. If a cat often paws at things on the table, it may be that they have mistakenly taken this as a unique form of interaction, and the cat understands that this will get the owner's attention. As soon as the cat paws at something, the owner will come running over to respond, just like a butler will appear immediately when the master rings a bell. Sometimes it even works better than meowing and rubbing against you. So, when the cat encounters the following situations, it may paw at things:
Wanting to play with you: It's the same principle as wanting to play with a feather wand, going to pick up feathers and find you. In this regard, whether your reaction is positive (picking up the thing and playing with it) or negative (scolding the cat and threatening it), it's all fun for the cat.
Getting your attention: Even if they're just greedy, they'll have to "indirectly" remind you through this method.
“Bang” (I want snacks)
“Bang” (I want canned food)
“Bang” (I want to eat something delicious!)
If you still don't get what the cat is trying to say, then the next second... you might be the one being knocked over. Of course, if your cat lives a life of no shortage of snacks, is well-fed and pampered, and the owner always smiles at it, then it's probably just because...
3. Life is too boring
At home, you don't have to go to work, you sleep and eat all day long. This kind of god-like life will make any cat bored. In this case, they will "find something fun to do" for themselves.
How to Correct Your Cat's Habit of Knocking Things Off?
Knowing the reasons why cats "get handsy", owners can then break down the problem one by one based on these reasons. However, the most important and most difficult point is:
1. Control your emotions
As mentioned above, TA pushes and you pick up, TA pushes again and you pick up again, this will only make the cat mistakenly think you're playing with it. Therefore, when the cat knocks something off, pretend nothing happened and don't react in any way. Don't use any attention to reinforce this behavior. Wait until the cat is no longer in the "scene of the crime" before picking up the thing.
But if it's a liquid or a dangerous item (like broken glass) that needs to be cleaned up immediately, the owner must control their emotions, clean up the mess with a blank expression, or pick up the item with their back to the cat, avoiding direct contact.
This method will definitely be difficult for some owners (who can stay calm if their expensive cosmetics bought with earth-eating money fall down!).
2. Place them out of reach of the cat
To completely block the cat's desire to push things, you need to store all fragile or valuable items (your Chanel, Gucci, etc.) in boxes or places where the cat can't reach them, so that they won't be pushed down and shattered to pieces.
3. Negative stimulus
For cats that are incorrigible, you can try applying unpleasant smells to the items. For example, Vicks VapoRub, lemon water, orange juice, etc. But be careful, the liquid you apply should not be harmful to the cat. Otherwise, you will hurt the cat and destroy the relationship between you.
All of the above applies to situations where the cat has not yet jumped onto the platform. If the cat has already started to get ready, you need...
4. Distract the cat
In this emergency situation, you need to make a noise to get the cat's attention. Take out its favorite toy and the cat will refocus on you. Remember, the cat doesn't have to knock things over, as long as you have a better alternative in your hand, it will be more likely to arouse the cat's hunting and interactive play desires.
5. Spend more time playing with your cat
Increase the amount of daily playtime with your cat. They will be too tired to be mischievous after playing! But also remember to add or change toys. If there are not enough toys for the cat to play with at home or if the cat has become tired of the toys, remember to change the toys!
Another method is to give the cat something to do, for example, using various puzzle feeders to let the cat work for its favorite food. This way, it not only relieves the cat's boredom, but also satisfies its desire to eat. A win-win situation!
Conclusion
A cat's behavior of pushing things around may seem mischievous, but it may actually be a way for them to express their needs and seek interaction. Owners need to understand the cat's inner world and use scientific methods to guide and correct their wrong behaviors. Patience and love are key. Believe that as long as you understand and accompany your cat with heart, you will be able to build a more harmonious relationship with your cat.
Have you ever encountered this situation: your cat always likes to knock things off the table, and even if you pick them up, the cat will continue to push! This is a really maddening behavior. Why are cats so handsy? Are there any ways to correct them?
Cats like to paw and push things around for the most common reasons:
1. Enjoying the fun of exploration and hunting
Cats are naturally born hunters, and they like to explore their surroundings through touch. Cats have rich sensory nerve endings on their paws, and when they touch and tap objects, they can feel the texture and weight of the objects. Therefore, cats can "know" an object through this method. This also helps cats identify potential prey. Pawing around can determine whether something is dead or alive and whether it is dangerous. If you push it and it rolls away, they will be excited, "This thing is alive, I need to explore it."
2. Interacting with the owner as a game
Cats are social animals and they crave interaction with their owners. If a cat often paws at things on the table, it may be that they have mistakenly taken this as a unique form of interaction, and the cat understands that this will get the owner's attention. As soon as the cat paws at something, the owner will come running over to respond, just like a butler will appear immediately when the master rings a bell. Sometimes it even works better than meowing and rubbing against you. So, when the cat encounters the following situations, it may paw at things:
Wanting to play with you: It's the same principle as wanting to play with a feather wand, going to pick up feathers and find you. In this regard, whether your reaction is positive (picking up the thing and playing with it) or negative (scolding the cat and threatening it), it's all fun for the cat.
Getting your attention: Even if they're just greedy, they'll have to "indirectly" remind you through this method.
“Bang” (I want snacks)
“Bang” (I want canned food)
“Bang” (I want to eat something delicious!)
If you still don't get what the cat is trying to say, then the next second... you might be the one being knocked over. Of course, if your cat lives a life of no shortage of snacks, is well-fed and pampered, and the owner always smiles at it, then it's probably just because...
3. Life is too boring
At home, you don't have to go to work, you sleep and eat all day long. This kind of god-like life will make any cat bored. In this case, they will "find something fun to do" for themselves.
How to Correct Your Cat's Habit of Knocking Things Off?
Knowing the reasons why cats "get handsy", owners can then break down the problem one by one based on these reasons. However, the most important and most difficult point is:
1. Control your emotions
As mentioned above, TA pushes and you pick up, TA pushes again and you pick up again, this will only make the cat mistakenly think you're playing with it. Therefore, when the cat knocks something off, pretend nothing happened and don't react in any way. Don't use any attention to reinforce this behavior. Wait until the cat is no longer in the "scene of the crime" before picking up the thing.
But if it's a liquid or a dangerous item (like broken glass) that needs to be cleaned up immediately, the owner must control their emotions, clean up the mess with a blank expression, or pick up the item with their back to the cat, avoiding direct contact.
This method will definitely be difficult for some owners (who can stay calm if their expensive cosmetics bought with earth-eating money fall down!).
2. Place them out of reach of the cat
To completely block the cat's desire to push things, you need to store all fragile or valuable items (your Chanel, Gucci, etc.) in boxes or places where the cat can't reach them, so that they won't be pushed down and shattered to pieces.
3. Negative stimulus
For cats that are incorrigible, you can try applying unpleasant smells to the items. For example, Vicks VapoRub, lemon water, orange juice, etc. But be careful, the liquid you apply should not be harmful to the cat. Otherwise, you will hurt the cat and destroy the relationship between you.
All of the above applies to situations where the cat has not yet jumped onto the platform. If the cat has already started to get ready, you need...
4. Distract the cat
In this emergency situation, you need to make a noise to get the cat's attention. Take out its favorite toy and the cat will refocus on you. Remember, the cat doesn't have to knock things over, as long as you have a better alternative in your hand, it will be more likely to arouse the cat's hunting and interactive play desires.
5. Spend more time playing with your cat
Increase the amount of daily playtime with your cat. They will be too tired to be mischievous after playing! But also remember to add or change toys. If there are not enough toys for the cat to play with at home or if the cat has become tired of the toys, remember to change the toys!
Another method is to give the cat something to do, for example, using various puzzle feeders to let the cat work for its favorite food. This way, it not only relieves the cat's boredom, but also satisfies its desire to eat. A win-win situation!
Conclusion
A cat's behavior of pushing things around may seem mischievous, but it may actually be a way for them to express their needs and seek interaction. Owners need to understand the cat's inner world and use scientific methods to guide and correct their wrong behaviors. Patience and love are key. Believe that as long as you understand and accompany your cat with heart, you will be able to build a more harmonious relationship with your cat.
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