There is a scene that is repeated in many homes with gatos: the animal observes with apparent calm a glass or any other object on the table, slowly brings it closerwith his paw and begins to tap him lightly until, inevitably, he falls to the ground. This behavior, which has also become popular in many videos on the internet, raises the same question among many feline owners: why do they do it?
Although it is often thought that It is an inevitable behavior in all cats, The truth is that not everyone shows that tendency. According to the veterinarian Carlos Gutiérrez, co-founder of the YouTube channel Happy pets and familiesthere are several factors that can explain this behavior.
One of them is related to the natural hunting instinct of felines. As the specialist points out, the gesture of pushing or hitting objects from an elevated surface is very similar to the movement they make when playing with prey.
“That gesture they have to throw things from heights, with their paw making very subtle movements, is the same one they develop when they are playing with their prey,” explains Gutiérrez. With that little push they seek to stimulate the supposed prey to make it move and thus continue the chase game.
From the cat’s perspective, therefore, that motionless object on the table could be receiving a kind of “opportunity.” “In the cat’s head, by tapping our vase they are giving it a chance to live,” comments the vet. “Because it doesn’t move, it ends up on the ground.”
However, instinct is not the only explanation. In some cases, human behavior itself can reinforce this behavior. “If the cat sees that there is a reaction on our part when it throws something or when it is about to do so and we run to avoid it, it is likely that it will continue repeating it,” says Gutiérrez.
The feline quickly learns that this gesture captures people’s attention. who live with him. This is especially common when the cat is trying to communicate a need.
If the cat sees that there is a reaction on our part when it throws something, it is likely that it will continue repeating it.
“It is very common in cats that want to tell us something, like filling their bowl with food,” adds the veterinarian. If every time you push an object someone appears or responds to that action, the animal may end up using it as a communication strategy.
Sometimes, however, The explanation is simple curiosity or desire to play. Cats are exploratory animals by nature, and any new object or object placed in a striking place can become a little investigation for them. “You may simply be struck by what we have left on the table,” explains Gutiérrez.
When the animal’s environment is unstimulating, that exploratory drive can intensify. “There are cats that are very little stimulated in their daily lives. and the only thing they have fun with is knocking things off our shelves,” warns the veterinarian. Given the lack of activity or games, the cat ends up inventing its own entertainment.
Therefore, specialists insist that Mental and physical stimulation is key to the well-being of domestic felines. According to Gutiérrez, providing opportunities for play, exploration and activity prevents problems that go beyond dropped objects.
“It is very important to cover this need because leads them to have destructive behaviors, apathy or gain weight“, he points out. “In addition, it is not good for their health or safety, since some bored cats exhibit escapist behaviors in search of fun in the street.”
So the next time a glass ends up on the floor, maybe it’s not just mischief. Behind that seemingly capricious gesture It may be hiding instinct, communication, or simply a cat looking for something more interesting to do.
