4 Reasons Why Cats Like to Knock Things off Tables (And How to Stop It)

Whether it’s staring into space, squeezing into too-small boxes, or jumping at the sight of a cucumber, our furry friends certainly can exhibit some quirky behaviour. While some of these can be cute, others, like knocking things off tables, can be annoying and destructive. Have you ever wondered why your cat likes to knock things off tables? Below, Cat in a Flat dives into the reasons behind this strange behaviour and offers tips on how you can prevent it. 

Why does my cat like knocking things off tables?

Why does my cat like to knock things off tables? There can be a variety of reasons for why your kitty knocks things off tables. These can range from doing it for attention, to boredom, or because your furry friend is hungry. However, you should never punish your feline when they knock things off tables. Cats don’t respond well to punishment and shouting at or scolding them may only make them do it more.

As a good paw parent, your aim should be to pinpoint what’s causing the behaviour and find a healthy solution for your feline. Perhaps you need to put your kitty on a feeding schedule, or it’s a sign you need to play more with your cat. But before you dive into the how of stopping your cat from knocking things off tables, you need to know the why.

Your cat likes to knock things off tables because…

1. Your cat is bored

Our furry friends are intelligent creatures and a lack of stimulation in their environment can lead to boredom. This in turn leads to destructive behaviour like knocking things off tables. Boredom can be particularly common if your kitty is a purely indoor cat. 

What to do: Schedule more playtime. Playing with your cat is a great way to bond with them, make sure they get enough exercise, and keep them happy and stimulated. Use toys like laser pointers and string toys to encourage your furry friend’s natural hunting instincts. Also invest in a few cat-safe toys your feline can play with on their own. If you’re away from home a lot, consider hiring a cat sitter to provide at-home day care for your kitty. A cat sitter can come in during the day to tidy up, feed your fur friend, and spend quality time playing with them.

2. Your cat wants attention

Like children, felines can act out when they want attention. And any reaction you have will only solidify the negative behaviour and give your feline what they want. If every time your cat knocks something off a table they get a reaction from you, they’re unlikely to stop the behaviour. 

What to do: Instead of scolding your cat or running over and lifting them off the table, try to divert their attention in a positive way. There are many ways to create a cat-friendly home. Make sure you provide plenty of scratching trees for climbing, and that your feline has access to window perches for bird watching. Place puzzle feeders around your home—these will encourage your kitty to ‘hunt’ for treats and discourage attention-seeking behaviours. If there’s a particular spot your cat likes to knock things off, place a puzzle feeder there instead. This will distract your kitty, so they spend time solving the puzzle for treats instead of engaging in unwanted behaviour.

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3. Your cat is hungry

There’s nothing more difficult to deal with than a kitty on a diet! One of the reasons your fur friend might be knocking things off tables is because they’re trying to tell you they want something. Perhaps they’re hungry, or their water bowl is empty, or you’re a few minutes late feeding them.

What to do: Keep a strict feeding schedule. Allowing your kitty to graze all day can lead to feline obesity and other health issues such as diabetes. But switching your kitty’s diet or creating a food schedule can be a bit tricky if Mr Whiskers is used to eating whenever they want. However, if your cat acts up to a change in diet by knocking things off tables, don’t give in and feed them. Your furry friend will protest for a few days, but eventually they will adjust and even look forward to mealtime! Try playing with them before mealtimes so they have a pawsitive association with their feeding schedule.

4. Your cat is acting on instinct

There’s not always a negative reason for why your cat might knock things of tables. Cats are very curious animals and natural hunters. While it may not make sense to us, their hunting instincts can sometimes make Mr Whiskers view your table lamp as prey. And since your kitty’s paws are so sensitive, there are times where your feline simply wants to see how it feels when they push an item. 

What to do: Set a play schedule to trigger their hunting instincts at times that feel natural. Since cats are most active at dawn and dusk, your furry friend is more likely to be up during the night. But nothing ruins a solid shut-eye like listening to your cat knock things off tables. Hence, plan a play session first thing in the morning (preferably before feeding your kitty), one at dusk, and another right before going to bed. These timings will coincide with Mr Whiskers’ natural clock and help tire them out so that they sleep through the night! 

What should I do if my cat keeps knocking things off tables?

What should I do if my cat keeps knocking things off tables? It can be frustrating to deal with unfavourable behaviour from your feline. If you’ve tried all our above tips and your cat still tends to knock things off tables, you may need to consider simply removing breakable or valuable items out of paw’s reach. But, you should also look for patterns in your kitty’s behaviour, avoid responding to the negative behaviour, and try to change your kitties focus with other cat-friendly activities.

• Look for patterns: Where does your cat like to knock things off tables? When do they do it? Is it only when you’re in the room? Or do they do it while you’re gone too? If it’s while you’re in the room, it could mean your kitty wants your attention. If your furry friend does it whether you’re there or not, it could be a reaction to boredom.
• Avoid responding: If you react to your fur friend knocking things off tables by petting, talking, or feeding them, this will only reenforce the behaviour. Try to avoid reacting at all—not even to go over and place the item back on the table. If your feline doesn’t get a response out of you, they’re more likely to stop doing it. 
• Make your home as cat-friendly as possible: Try to look at your home through your kitty’s eyes. Do they have enough toys to play with on their own? Trees to climb? High perches and access to views outside? If you’ve answered ‘yes’ to all this and are still worried about your kitty feeling bored, you might consider getting them a friend to play with.

Looking for more tips on how to be a stellar cat parent? Check out our blog posts on what to do if your kitty gets bored of their food, and how to keep every feline in a multi-cat household happy.