Why Do Cats Knock Things Off Tables? Instinct vs. Boredom

• Its Not Spite: Cats do not hold grudges. They knock things over to test if prey is alive, or because they learned “Crash = Attention.”
• The “Look at Me” Trap: If you yell or run over when a glass falls, you have successfully trained your cat to do it again.
• Boredom & Heights: Often, they just want a high vantage point. If the table is the highest spot, that’s where they go.
• The Fix: Anchor valuables with Museum Wax, provide high cat trees, and ignore the bad behavior completely.

1. The “Is It Alive?” Test (Instinct)

Cats are hardwired predators. In the wild, they paw at potential prey to see if it runs. When they tap your lighter or pen, they are checking: “Are you a mouse? Will you run?” When it falls, the movement mimics escaping prey, triggering a dopamine rush.

2. The Attention Vending Machine (Learned Behavior)

This is the most common reason in households.

• The Cycle: Cat pushes glass -> You yell “NO!” -> Cat gets attention.

To a bored cat, even negative attention is better than being ignored. You have turned your table into a vending machine: they press the button (knock the item), and they get a reaction from you.

3. Seeking Vertical Territory

Cats need to survey their kingdom from high up. If your desk or dining table is the only elevated surface in the room, they will claim it. The objects on it are just obstacles in their way.

Step 1: The “No Reaction” Rule

You must break the cycle. When something falls:

• Do NOT yell or gasp.
• Do NOT look at the cat.
• Pick it up later: Wait until the cat has left the room to clean up (unless it’s dangerous glass). This removes the reward.

Step 2: Cat-Proofing (The Museum Wax Hack)

You don’t have to hide your decor. Use a secret weapon: Museum Wax (also known as Quake Hold).
This clear putty anchors vases to the shelf. It’s strong enough to stop a paw, but removable by humans. If the object doesn’t move when they swat it, the game becomes boring immediately.

Step 3: Provide a

Yes Alternative

You can’t just say “No.” You must give them a “Yes.”

• Vertical Space: Place a tall cat tree or window perch near the table. This gives them a higher, better spot to sit than your desk.
• Puzzle Feeders: A bored cat is a destructive cat. Make them work for their food with puzzle toys instead of working for your attention.