Why Do Cats Knock Things Over?

Is it curiosity?

Partly. Cats explore objects with their paws the way humans explore things with their hands. Batting at an object, watching it move or fall, and observing the result is how cats learn about their environment. A pen that rolls differently than a cup that crashes differently than a phone is all data to your cat. This is especially true for kittens and young cats who are still mapping out how the physical world works.

Is it a hunting thing?

There's a prey drive element. Small objects on a table mimic the size and position of small prey. When your cat bats at something and it moves, it triggers the same neural pathways as batting at a mouse. The fall itself can be exciting; the noise, the movement, and the unpredictability of the landing all stimulate the predatory brain. Your cat isn't thinking about whether that's your grandmother's vase; they're thinking "that looked like something worth swatting."

Are they doing it for attention?

Absolutely, and this is the biggest factor for many cats. If your cat knocked something off the table once and you immediately jumped up, yelled, or ran over, they learned that pushing objects gets an instant reaction. For a cat that wants your attention, any reaction is a good reaction. The more dramatic your response, the more likely they are to repeat it. The best approach is to cat-proof surfaces with breakable items and not react when harmless things get pushed off.