3. Reinforced behavior
This might sound quite weird to you, but believe us when we say that your cat might be knocking everything down because you reinforce that behavior. You might be wondering: How could I encourage my cat to do this? Well, the answer is simple.
Your cat is a quick learner, and she can easily figure out the law of action and reaction. When your cat knocks things over and you go immediately and pick her up and speak to her, she will associate what she just did with her favorite human giving her attention.
Obviously, you don’t want that to happen, and this is why you need to learn how to handle a situation like this. First, what you can do is avoid leaving things in places where you know they are easy to push over. So, clearly, not on the edge of the table.
Another thing that might help is to let your cat meow for a while and not go to pick up that object or clean up the mess as soon as the event has happened. We know it is tempting to go and clean up immediately, but waiting a little bit may discourage the cat from doing it again.
6 Responses
LOL, my Tuxedo knocks things over when I am late in feeding her or wants my attention. I have lived with many cats over the years and cats are extremely intelligent. People who say they are not have never lived with one or have NO idea about the one that lives with them. I brought a young Pitfall into the household to live with my two cats. The younger one took the time to get to know him, the older Maine Coon is still getting comfy sniffs him on occasion and caught him sleeping with the Pit on the couch once lol. The Pit? is a social butterfly and loves everyone and everything. Each animal is different with different personalities. It is up to us to get to know them and to make them welcome them into our homes and to teach them as we do our children how they must behave in this world. Animals are just another species and we must learn how to teach them how to live in our world.
You summed it up well.
My cat would knock things over to get my attention and to let me know that She was ether feeling ignored, or just plain upset with me. Once I would make sure to give her attention She would stop. At that point She would rub up against he and want me to hold her and then the acted Sorry… She would act on her best behavior for a day or so ,. If she started feeling neglected again, that behavior would start up again.
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Our Tuxedo cat Sammy Tuc Tuc is 2 years old, and he teases all the other cats. one of the most curious and highly intelligent we have ever owned. Every cat has a different personality, and each have their own quirks. Cats are some of the most intelligent beautiful and loving creatures that only God could create! We love all 5 equally. Leonidis 10 Black Shorthair Miss Lu Lu Davi a Calico is 8 years old her Son Rocky Raccoon an orange Tabby is 6 1/2 and Simon is Black longhair 9 years old. They own us Sammy the stalker we have no personal space they all have ownership of our computer and keyboard
When i was a youngster in 55 i had one that would bring a rabbit to the back door of the kitchen a couple time a month in exchange for a biscuit Great trade for us i always though