Why do cats dump things and how to deal with it?

Almost every cat owner at least once woke up from the sound of an object that flies from the table to the floor. Glasses, pens, cosmetics, jewelry, vases – for many cats it is like a separate kind of entertainment. And the most interesting thing is that often the cat before the “attack” still looks directly into the eyes of the owner, as if he perfectly understands what he is doing.

In fact, this behavior has quite logical reasons. Cats are very inquisitive animals. With their paws they explore objects in the same way as people do with their hands. They are interested in how a thing moves, falls, rolls or sounds when hit. Especially if the object is light and reacts to even a small touch.

Another reason is boredom and lack of activity. A domestic cat has hunting instincts, and when there are not enough games, he begins to look for “entertainment” on his own. And an object on the edge of the table becomes almost perfect prey for him. Some cats also quickly realize that the dropped thing instantly attracts the attention of a person. Especially if the owner immediately runs to save the vase or scold the pet.

How to wean a cat from dropping things?

First of all – do not provoke. If the cat constantly drops specific items, you should not leave them on open surfaces. For the animal, this is literally an invitation to play. This is especially true for small shiny or moving things.

It is very important to give the cat enough activity. Toys, tunnels, climbing, interactive balls and regular play with the owner significantly reduce the desire to seek adventure on the shelves. Often the problem disappears when the cat simply starts spending energy in the right direction.

It is also not a good idea to yell or punish the cat after an object falls. Most cats do not associate punishment with the already committed action, but easily become afraid of a person or do everything “out of spite” even more actively because of stress.

Organizing the space also helps well. Cats love heights and control of territory. If the animal has its own high places – houses, shelves or complexes for climbing – interest in tables and cabinets often becomes less.

By the way, such activity and curiosity of the cat says a lot about his emotional state and temperament. Even during grooming, the behavior of cats is very different: some sit quietly, others constantly explore everything with their paws.

Is it possible to completely wean a cat?

Sometimes yes, but it’s important to understand: for many cats, this is a natural behavior. Especially at a young age. The main task is not to “break” the character of the animal, but to redirect its energy in a safe and correct direction.

The more the cat has activity, attention and interesting activities, the less chance that the next cup will end up on the floor. And it is also worth remembering: sometimes the cat drops things not because of harm, but simply because he is very interested in what will happen next.