Can this cat behavior be stopped?

by Margaret
(Brookline, MA, USA)

Is there anyway to train a 2 1/2 year old cat not to knock things off tables and counters? She's broken several objects this way. I can't display souvenirs from trips on a display table because she just knocks them off. It's not out of anger or distress. She just jumps up and knocks things off for attention, but doesn't want to play or be petted. I don't know what she wants or how to get her to stop!

Answer from Kate
Hi
it is very difficult to get a cat to stop doing something like this. It is in their nature to want to jump and climb.

there are two things you can do. You can provide her with those high cat trees to climb on, I have one for my two cats and they love to scratch it and sit on top of it etc.

https://www.our-happy-cat.com/cat-trees.html

You can also try to discipline her when she does jump up onto mantle pieces etc. As soon as she does it, make no sound, simply pick her up and place her on the floor and then walk away from her. Do this every single time and she should eventually get the message. Do the opposite when she climbs on her cat tree, pet her, make a fuss and lots of cooing noises etc. this will make this a positive experience for her and the other a negative one.

See this page for more on this method

https://www.our-happy-cat.com/cat-discipline.html

best wishes kate

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