The Hilarious Truth!

by Rita Reimers, Multi Cat Behavior Expert

Do your cats love to knock things over? Is it science, mischief, or just feline chaos? The real reasons behind this quirky cat behavior.

If you’ve ever had a cat, you’ve likely witnessed the infamous slow-motion paw swipe—sending your drink, phone, or an entire shelf of collectibles crashing to the floor. But why do cats do this? Are they tiny agents of chaos? Secret gravity scientists? Or just plain jerks?

Let’s dive into the top 5 reasons cats love to knock things over, and why they seem to be a mission to knock over literally everything in your home.

---

1. Curiosity Didn’t Kill the Cat, But It Did Kill Your Coffee Mug

Cats are naturally curious creatures. If something is in their space, they want to know what it is, how it moves, and most importantly—what happens when they push it. In their minds, knocking over an object is simply scientific research.

📌 Cat’s Thought Process: “If I knock this off the table, will it come back? Let’s test it. And test it again. And again.”

---

2. Attention-Seeking Behavior: “Hey, Hooman! Look at Me!”

Ever notice that your cat seems to do this only when you’re busy? Whether you’re working, watching TV, or on a Zoom call, your cat has discovered that knocking something over instantly gets your attention. And to them, that’s a win.

📌 Cat’s Thought Process: “They ignored my meow. Maybe if I push this glass off the table… oh look, here they come!”

---

3. It’s All About Playtime!

Cats love to bat at moving objects—it’s an instinct tied to their hunting behavior. Small items, like pens, hair ties, or keys, mimic the movement of prey when they fall and roll away.

📌 Cat’s Thought Process: “This pen is small. It moves. It must be my next victim.”

---

4. The Laws of Gravity Are Fascinating

Your cat may secretly be a scientist. After all, what better way to study gravity than by repeatedly knocking things to the floor?

They seem to test different objects, different heights, and different surfaces—just to make sure physics is still working.

📌 Cat’s Thought Process: “Newton who? I am the real genius here.”

---

5. Territory Marking: “Mine. Mine. Also Mine.”

Cats are territorial creatures. When they knock objects over, they may be trying to claim their space. By removing your things, they’re making room for their true rulers: themselves.

📌 Cat’s Thought Process: “This isn’t mine. Let me fix that.” [Pushes object off table.]

---

How to Stop Your Cat from Knocking Things Over

😼 Let’s be honest—you can’t stop it completely. But you can try to redirect it!

✅ Give them designated “knockable” items. Provide toys that roll, crinkle, or fall in a satisfying way.

✅ Engage them with interactive play. A bored cat is a destructive cat! Daily playtime can help prevent destructive behaviors.

✅ Secure fragile items. Use double-sided tape, museum putty, or simply move breakables to safer locations.

✅ Ignore attention-seeking behavior. If you react every time, they’ll keep doing it. Instead, reward them for positive behaviors. Our article, Disciplining Cats Doesn’t Work, will explain why in more detail.

---

Final Verdict: Cats Are Tiny Chaos Machines (and We Love Them for It)

At the end of the day, cats knocking things over is part of their charm.

Whether they’re scientists, attention-seekers, or just plain mischievous, we wouldn’t have them any other way.

💬 Tell us in the comments: What’s the worst (or funniest) thing your cat has ever knocked over? Don’t forget to tag us on social media with #CatBehaviorAlliance 😹

---

Need help decoding your cat’s behavior? Book a Session with Rita today!