Why does my cat knock things off tables?

Three reasons, often combined:

1. They're playing. Cats are predators. When something small moves — or might move — they bat at it. The mug rolling off the edge gives a satisfying movement, sound, and reaction. From a cat's perspective, it's an excellent toy.

2. They want your attention. If you've ever yelled, clapped, or rushed over after a knocked-over object, congratulations — you've trained the behaviour. Even negative attention is attention.

3. They're investigating. Cats use their paws to test the world. A coin, a pen, an earring — the only way to know if it does something interesting is to push it.

What works:
- Don't react when it happens. The next-day knock will be smaller.
- Move important things out of cat-paw range (jewellery, glassware).
- Give them legitimate things to bat — wand toys, ping-pong balls, treat puzzles.
- 10 minutes of active play before bed reduces 3 a.m. shenanigans noticeably.

What doesn't work: yelling, water bottles, foil on counters. They learn the "do this when human is present" rule, not "don't do this".