Why Do Cats Knock Over Their Food Bowls? (Reasons & Solutions)

It was weekend so I get up a little late. As always, I first go to the living room to check on my cat bowl and found that it was knocked over again. Sighing, I picked it up and placed in its rightful place. But why does my cat keep knocking her food bowl over?

It got me so weird and immediately I googled it. Turns out, there are many reasons as to why your cats might be doing this seemingly weird behavior.

Some say that they do this because they want our attention. But others theorize that they could be doing this out of boredom or because they’re not getting enough food.

So in this blog post I’ll be discussing the different reasons as to why your cat might be knocking their food bowl over and some tips on how to fix this issue. Let’s get started!

Reasons Why Do Cats Knock Over Their Food Bowls

I know it can be frustrating when you constantly find your cat’s food bowl overturned. But there are actually a few reasons as to why they might be doing this. Here are some of the most common reasons:

1. They’re Bored

One of the most common reasons cats knock over their food bowl is because they’re bored. If your cat isn’t getting enough mental stimulation, they might start exhibiting destructive behaviors like knocking over their food bowl.

To fix this issue, try giving your cat more toys to play with or increasing the amount of time you spend playing with them each day. You can also try feeding them puzzle feeders that will make them work for their food.

2. They’re Not Getting Enough Food

If your cat is constantly knocking over their food bowl, it could be a sign that they’re not getting enough food. This is especially true if they’re doing it after you’ve just filled their bowl.

According to the Association of Professional Animal Behaviorists, cats need around 20 calories per pound of body weight each day. So if your cat weighs 10 pounds, they should be getting around 200 calories per day.

If you think your cat isn’t getting enough food, talk to your veterinarian about increasing their portion size or switching to a higher calorie food.

3. They Want Your Attention

Cats are very smart creatures and they know that knocking over their food bowl is a surefire way to get your attention. If your cat is knocking over their food bowl and you immediately come running, they’ll quickly learn that this is an effective way to get your attention.

I suggest ignoring your cat if they knock over their food bowl and only giving them attention when their bowl is in its rightful place.

4. They’re Anxious or stressed

My neighbor’s cat started knocking over her food bowl when she moved to a new house. It turns out, the cat was anxious and stressed from the move and this behavior was her way of coping.

If your cat is anxious or stressed, they might start exhibiting destructive behaviors like knocking over their food bowl. To fix this issue, try giving your cat a calming supplement like Feliway. You can also try using a pheromone diffuser in your home which will help to reduce your cat’s stress levels.

5. They Have Separation Anxiety

If you leave your cat home alone for long periods of time, they might start to experience separation anxiety. This can cause them to exhibit destructive behaviors like knocking over their food bowl.

A study published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior found that around 14% of cats suffer from separation anxiety. To make this issue worse, many owners inadvertently reinforce this behavior by coming home and immediately cleaning up the mess their cat has made.

If you think your cat might have separation anxiety, talk to your veterinarian about ways to help them cope with this issue. You can also try leaving them with some food puzzles or toys that will keep them occupied while you’re gone.

Should You Worry about This Type of Cat’s Behavior

If your cat is knocking over their food bowl occasionally, there’s no need to worry. However, if this behavior becomes excessive or destructive, it could be a sign of an underlying medical condition.

If your cat is constantly knocking over their food bowl or destroying other property in your home, I suggest taking them to the vet for a check-up.

5 Tips for Preventing This Type of Weird Behavior

There are a few things you can do to prevent your cat from knocking over their food bowl. Here are some tips:

1. Use a Heavy Bowl

If your cat is knocking over their food bowl because they’re bored or anxious, try using a heavier bowl. This will make it more difficult for them to knock over and will help to prevent this behavior.

I severally suggest getting a bowl that is made of ceramic or stainless steel. These bowls are very difficult to knock over and will help to keep your cat’s food in place.

2. Use a Lid

If you’re really struggling with your cat knocking over their food bowl, try using a lid. This will make it impossible for them to knock the bowl over and will help to keep their food in place.

There are a variety of different cat food bowls that come with lids. I suggest getting one of these if you’re struggling to keep your cat’s food in place.

3. Feed Them Smaller Meals

Yes, this might mean you have to feed your cat more often but it will help to prevent them from knocking over their food bowl. This is because they’re less likely to be hungry and will therefore be less likely to knock over their bowl in search of food.

I suggest feeding your cat 3-4 small meals per day instead of 1-2 large meals. This will help to keep them full and will prevent them from knocking over their food bowl.

4. Use a Puzzle Feeder

Now, this might not be the most aesthetically pleasing option but it will definitely help to prevent your cat from knocking over their food bowl. Puzzle feeders are designed to make your cat work for their food and will therefore keep them occupied and away from their food bowl.

Puzzle feeders are a great way to keep your cat amused and will help to prevent this destructive behavior.

5. Keep Their Bowl in a Safe Place

If your cat is knocking over their food bowl because they’re anxious or stressed, try keeping their bowl in a safe place. This might be in their bedroom or in a quiet corner of the house.

Keeping their bowl in a safe place will help to reduce their anxiety and will therefore prevent this destructive behavior.

Last Few Words…

In conclusion, if your cat is knocking over their food bowl, there are a few things you can do to prevent this behavior. However, if this behavior becomes excessive or destructive, it could be a sign of an underlying medical condition and I suggest taking them to the vet for a check-up.

Do you have any tips for preventing this weird behavior? Let me know in the comments below!