Attie is now 2 years and 3 months old. Time really flies!

But she's developed a new habit... Pushing glassware off anything and breaking it. I'm 95% sure she is doing it on purpose and to get attention, and part of that is definitely my fault. She knows that breaking something is a big commotion and will almost always get one of the people's attention. As she's gotten older I've cut back on the amount of playtime she gets, but I'm working toward rectifying that. The bigger issue is how can I get her to stop doing it? I have 2 roommates so empty (or partially full) glasses get left on tables, counters, etc from time to time (not to mention other glassware like candles, picture frames, small non-glass breakable objects) and she will usually knock one off when, say, I'm watching TV and she's trying to get attention for playtime.

The strategy I'm trying to go with, at least to deal directly with the breaks, is to not react at all immediately after something has broken. She will sit there waiting for a reaction. After a few minutes I proceed to calmly clean it up without paying her any attention. I know it's a multi-faceted problem, but my feeling is that since she knows breaking something almost always causes a strong reaction, she isn't going to stop doing it unless she thinks the people don't care anymore.

Anyone have any similar experiences with their leopards??

I only use plastic tumblers and never leave one unattended especially with a straw in it. Blondie thinks all straws are hers and will topple a cup over in the process of fishing it out not to mention wash her paws in my water during the process. Even if I put it on "their" counter for a minute and turn my back she will come out of nowhere and hop up to see what's in my cup. She is the same way with pens and hair clips. My other cat Grace doesn't bother with any of those things. Grace was the electrical cord chewer but thankfully she grew out of that. Now she is on to wood furniture.

I was told my Raiden's previous owner that he liked to knock over drink glasses. He's only done it once in the two years I've had him. It is going to be difficult to teach your bengal NOT to do this. It could be that you're not playing with him as much and that's what he wants -- attention and more play! Every bengal cat owner needs to bengal-proof their home! If you value anything ... put it where a cat can't get to it! Using plastic glasses would be great (that's all I use around Raiden). Since this is a fairly new behavior, I'd make sure he has his toys nearby and try to redirect his attention. All bengals crave attention and even Raiden will start looking UP toward the top of the TV and try to jump up on the stand. He knows if he just looks at it, I'll be out of my seat and on him. Usually it's because he wants to play or requires that belly rub.

Oh yes - Babbage has done this quite a few times, not just glasses, but Carafes too. Anything with ice cubes in it is considered to be a cat toy ( tip - don't let them play with ice cubes as a kitten id you don't want to find cats in your glass for ever more ).

In recent times Ada has been getting in on the act as well, last week she knocked over a glass of Vimto ( a nice, purple coloured cordial ) on the table containing my laptop, portable hard drive, battery charger, tablet, etc, etc. The electronics were dried out and are OK, and the purple puddle was cleaned up from the floor.

These days if I have a drink in a glass and I leave the room I take the glass with me.

Anyone want to buy a couple of Bengals - 2 for a £1 ?

Both mine do this to a degree, but Jagger is the worst. He will hook his paw round whatever the object is, look you straight in the eye and push! He then looks to see what has happened to whatever it was, and if it breaks, all the better and dives into it. We have lost a crystal wine glass in this manner amid plenty of other breakages.

Minimalist is the way to go - as I really don't know how to stop this behaviour!!

Hendrix will hang over the edge of the top of our hall units and stretch as far as his little paws can reach to knock anything off the shelf below as well. Nothing is sacred!

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Clare
Hendrix and Jagger, Brown Marble Boys (born 18 August 2013)
Hampshire, UK

Thanks everyone.

One problem with Attie having toys nearby, as Shelley mentioned, is that we also have a dog. The open living/dining room/kitchen area in the house where the cats spend most of their time, but leaving any cat toys in that area will get them ruined almost immediately by the dog. The cats have a "safe zone" in my bedroom, but that's not generally where they hang.

I am working on putting up some more shelves and other climbing equipment for them, though, so we'll see!!

So your doggie likes the cat toys??? Giving your kitty more space to climb is good as well, but just know bengals like to get into things, period!

I would advise plastic tumblers and water bottles for all. Mine is a brat and like to knock things over and watch the liquid drip out/off/down to the ground. Then she plays in it. We instituted a no-glass rule shortly after she moved in.

If you have or get a cat tree or shelves you can staple toys on a string from the top shelf onto the lower shelf. Setting up a laser toy on a timer or giving her a treat ball in her safe room could keep her occupied as well.

Absolutely get rid of the glass glasses and use something else. It's just hard to change a cat's behavior. Putting the toys on the cat tree is a great idea since dogs apparently can't climb up on the tree. Bless you for having a dog and a cat!!!

I found this tonight and it is all to close to the truth in this house:

Oh that cartoon is hysterical!

Brilliant!

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Melissa

UK
Oscar - Rescue (Rascal!!!) Bengal