Why Do Cats Knock Things Off Tables? The Real Reasons Behind This Quirky Cat Habit
It's a moment every cat parent knows too well: your curious kitty creeps up to the edge of a shelf, locks eyes with your coffee mug, gives it a gentle nudge... and off it goes. If you’ve ever wondered why cats knock things off tables, you’re not alone. While this behaviour can feel like a personal attack on your favourite belongings, there’s actually more to this feline habit. At Petdirect, We Get Pet, and we’re here to help you decode the quirky — and often comical — cat conduct.
Natural Instincts At Play
Cats are hardwired to be playful hunters. In the wild, they paw objects (or prey) to test for movement or life. Knocking objects off a table could mimic this instinct — your cat is simply “hunting” your pen like it’s a slow-moving gecko. Even though New Zealand cats are more likely to stalk a feather toy than a lizard, their instincts haven’t gone away over generations of domestic life.
Attention-Seeking Behaviour
If your cat has learned that batting your phone off the nightstand always gets your attention — even if just a stern “Oi!” — they may keep doing it just to get a rise out of you. In cat logic, any attention is good attention. You might already know those wide-eyed stares and deliberate paw swipes all too well. For some cats, it’s a clever way of saying, “Feed me”, “Play with me” or “Look this way!”
Redirection is key here. Keep your cat mentally stimulated with interactive cat toys or puzzle feeders to satisfy their need for engagement in a positive way.
Curiosity Didn’t Kill The Cat — But It Might Knock Your Vase Over
Cats are naturally inquisitive creatures. If something is shiny, new, or smells strange, you can bet your curious kitty will want to investigate. Batting it off a table may just be their way of figuring out what it is or how it moves. It’s a science experiment, feline-style.
Make sure your shelves and tables are decluttered of easily breakable items, or invest in sturdy cat scratchers and vertical spaces like cat trees to give them better outlets for exploration.
It’s Fun (For Them, At Least)
Let’s be honest — cats are mischievous by nature. The sound of objects clinking, bouncing or crashing to the ground might just be entertaining for your feline friend. For indoor cats, it can even be a boredom buster... albeit a destructive one.
To help manage this, make playtime a regular part of your routine. Use cat teasers and wand toys for active play and swap in different toys every week to keep things fresh and exciting. You can also try smart toys or motion toys to keep solo play stimulating.
How To Keep Items (And Sanity) Intact
- Place fragile or valuable items out of reach or in cabinets
- Provide alternative spots to lounge and perch, so high-up places aren’t as tempting
- Use cat deterrent sprays or double-sided tape on surfaces they frequent
- Offer plenty of vertical areas, like cat trees or shelves, for climbing and surveying their territory
- Keep them mentally stimulated with rotating toys and treat-based games
In some cases, compulsive knocking or increased destructive behaviour could point to anxiety or stress. If this sounds like your cat, calming aids like pheromone diffusers or supplements may help lower their stress levels and discourage attention-seeking antics.
They’re Not Being Rude — Just Being Cats
If your cat keeps sending objects flying off tables, don’t take it personally. It’s part curiosity, part communication, and part play. While you can’t train out all the quirks of cat-ness (and let’s be honest, you wouldn’t really want to), there are plenty of clever and kind ways to redirect the behaviour and keep your household a little more cat-proof.
At Petdirect, we love helping Kiwi cat parents understand what makes felines tick. Whether it’s tailoring their diet, enriching their environment, or finding the perfect toy, We Get Pet. Ready to outsmart your cheeky cat? Browse our top toy picks and cat furniture to keep their paws (and your belongings) busy for the right reasons.
